Commentary: Sustainability enters the mainstream

Sustainability has become firmly implanted in chemical producer and distributor activities and strategies. The latest industry survey, carried out by ICIS in association with US-based Genomatica, shows that over two-thirds of companies have a sustainability policy in place, and that no less than four-fifths say it is important for them to be seen as leaders in sustainable chemicals.

It has been a recent but fairly rapid journey. ICIS/Genomatica surveys in 2009 and 2012 showed companies were getting interested and then preparing to get involved in the sustainability movement. Now, nearly three-quarters of producers are using bio- or renewables-based chemicals or plan to introduce them in the next two years.

They are being driven by demands from customers, especially the big brand owners. Customer interest in using sustainable materials has increased rapidly, with 80% of survey respondents indicating that their customers are showing the same or higher interest than just a year ago.

As Genomatica CEO Christophe Schilling commented on the survey: “[It] provides concrete, current data to confirm the transition toward greater sustainability in the mainstream chemical industry.”

• Read the full article on the survey