Hexion closely monitors multiple operating metrics with a focus on continually improving its processes to reduce the environmental impact. Success is measured based on the following metrics: Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Scope 1 and Scope 2 Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) Emissions; Energy Consumption and intensity; Environmental Events and Spills; Water Consumption; and Waste Generation. Working together, Hexion expects to continue making significant progress in these key sustainability metrics in 2023 and going forward.
Hexion’s strategy is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 13 (focused on initiatives to protect against climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy efficiency) and 12 (focused on responsible consumption and production). We are addressing climate change by developing bio-based and circular products, innovating products that help to respond to challenges associated with a changing climate, and developing a resilient supply chain. Hexion is also committed to efficiently managing resources, including energy and water consumption, and taking actions to mitigate the impact of severe weather on facilities and customers.
Placing sustainability at the core of our business means building from the inside out. It gives us the values that guide us and extends to how we operate in every facility, every day.
Through focused efforts to reduce spills and releases, and improved permit compliance, the Environmental Events metric has steadily declined and held steady in recent years with a 10-year reduction of over 85 percent.
Success is measured based on the following metrics:
Hexion strives to protect against climate change throughout our business lifecycle by efficiently using natural resources, optimizing existing processes and enhancing products and technologies through continuous innovation. This focus increases stakeholder value by improving the use of resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, engaging our associates, decreasing operating costs and supporting our customers’ sustainability goals.
Addressing climate change starts with Responsible Chemistry. From the demand for energy efficiency to creating bio-based and circular products, science and chemistry play an important role in addressing climate change as we positively address our carbon footprint. Hexion has committed to reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 based on a 2017 baseline as well as assembling our Scope 3 emissions.
In 2022, Hexion realized a 15% absolute reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions against its baseline. This was accomplished through a robust Energy Management Program focused on reduction of GHG emissions through lower energy use, while reducing operating costs, facility rationalization efforts and investments in renewable energy, such as the installation of solar photovoltaic panels at the Brisbane, Australia location.
At Hexion, we create innovative performance materials that are the building blocks for critical industries—like construction, agriculture, energy, automotive, and infrastructure protection. Everywhere you look, you will find our materials and people at work to help customers make products that are stronger, safer, and cleaner. Grounded by a history that is deeply-rooted in innovation, we are committed to operating safely and with integrity to build a more sustainable future for all – our associates, our customers, and the communities where we live and work.
We will protect the health and well-being of our associates, contractors and visitors. We will continually work to prevent injury and illness and reduce risk. We will respond to EHS concerns to enable prompt learning and action.
We will design, build, and operate our facilities in a manner that helps prevent harm to the public health and environment. We will minimize our environmental impact and promote biodiversity by efficiently using energy, water and raw materials and seeking to reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions.
We will comply with all applicable EHS laws and regulations, operate ethically, and partner with governments and other appropriate stakeholders to develop and implement effective, responsible, science-based legislation and regulations.
We will engage in the communities in which we operate, communicating openly about our risks, EHS programs and performance, and encouraging transparency and dialogue. We will seek opportunities to positively impact the communities in which we live and work.
We will develop, produce and distribute our products in a safe and environmentally sound manner. We will educate our associates and communicate with our contractors, customers, and the public on responsible use, handling and disposal of our products.
We will implement risk management measures to ensure security of and mitigate risks associated with our operations and transportation of our products. We will be prepared to respond appropriately to emergencies.
We will establish meaningful EHS performance measures and assessment programs and drive continual improvement in alignment with the Responsible Care® Management System and Guiding Principles.
Hexion Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Policy and Responsible Care® elements are implemented using the Hexion EHS Management System (EHS-MS).
Since Hexion began training and tracking Severe Incident Factors (SIF’s) in 2013, the Company has decreased SIF injuries by 95 percent between 2013 and 2020. This means that our associates and contractors are experiencing significantly fewer incidents that carry the potential to cause serious or permanent harm. Hexion is very proud of our associates and their commitment to a safety mindset. Our associates are the ones that have made continual improvements in safety possible while striving for zero incidents.
Ensuring the health and safety of our associates, customers, communities, and stakeholders is a minimum expectation from our value chain and considered our “social” license to operate. We are excited to report that our Occupational Illness and Injuries Rate (OIIR) dropped 0.45 from 0.51 in 2019 and 0.88 in 2018 and our lowest rate ever recorded. This is another indicator of our continued focus and success in addressing safety.
Policies, standards and guidelines are just words – words that instruct us on what to do and what not to do; but a safety mindset is what turns safety policies into a reality. This means living this mindset and attitude, every minute of every day.
We can have the best safety policies, procedures and equipment, but for us to operate in a manner that guarantees that every associate and contractor gets home in the same shape they arrived to work, and remains in that healthy and safe condition, everyone must adopt, commit and practice to living a mindset where safety is paramount 24/7.
Hexion continues to demonstrate on a global scale its commitment to environmental, health and safety performance through site certification programs such as ISO 14001, ISO 50001, Responsible Care® and OHSAS 45001.
Most of Hexion’s major manufacturing facilities and product lines have achieved certification or are working toward it—demonstrating the company’s global focus on EHS excellence and the consistency of its efforts.
