Sustainability

At WACKER, sustainable management has been central to our production and business processes for many years, since it helps us to reduce risks, to enhance our existing activities, and to tap into new fields. We strive to balance economic, ecological and social factors in everything we do.

We have joined two global sustainability initiatives: Responsible Care® (the global chemical industry initiative) and the UN’s Global Compact. We implement the Global Compact’s ten principles on human rights and on social and environmental standards. WACKER’s voluntary commitment to sustainability extends to our supplier management system and our annual evaluation of suppliers’ compliance with WACKER standards.

Our company has grown considerably over the years and so has its international presence – as we continue to set up new production sites and expand existing ones. In 2009, we began realigning our sustainability-related structures to take account of ever-greater globalization. For example, we launched our “Global EHS & PS Excellence” project. Its aim is to help us globally standardize management and reporting policies on the environment, health, safety and product stewardship (EHS & PS) without losing sight of regional requirements. Overarching coordination of sustainability initiatives has been centralized at our Corporate Development department since 2009.

The export-control and hazardous-materials officers required under German law were elevated to WACKER Group coordinators in 2009. They specify groupwide standards in the form of goals and processes that must be implemented at every area and site.

Sustainability is increasingly important for a wide range of stakeholders. That is why we report in greater detail and at shorter intervals on sustainability issues. In 2009, WACKER published its Sustainability Report for 2007/2008. We have reduced the reporting period from four to two years and cover new subjects, such as stakeholder dialog and anticorruption efforts.

New Sustainability Report Published in 2009