Politics and NGOs

GRI 102-13, GRI 102-43, GRI 102-44, GRI 103-1, GRI 103-2, GRI 103-3
Wacker Chemie AG - Sustainability Report 2015/16

In accordance with our code of conduct, we are committed to responsibility and integrity – including in our dealings with political parties and non-governmental organizations. We represent our political interests in a way that is consistent with the positions we have expressed publicly. In our work with political entities, we focus on concrete issues and are open to dialogue with any democratic parties.

WACKER takes an active role in trying to influence energy policies. During the period under review, we made the following contributions to political opinion:

  • We support Germany’s transition to renewable energy as part of the Paris climate agreement, especially the cost-efficient expansion of solar and wind energy as mainstays of Germany’s future energy mix, and the climate-friendly use of .
  • As a company with a high gas and electricity demand, we need globally competitive energy prices and a secure power supply.
  • As a globally active company, we support fair and free trade. We oppose any kind of punitive tariffs on solar modules and materials for photovoltaics. They artificially raise the cost of solar products, reduce solar energy’s competitiveness and ultimately prevent the cost-efficient implementation of the Paris climate agreement.

In 2016, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) extended an agreement with Wacker Chemie AG from 2014. As previously, WACKER undertakes not to sell produced at its European plants below a specific minimum price in China. MOFCOM, in turn, still refrains from imposing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on this material.

WACKER maintains a liaison office in Berlin to better represent the company’s political interests. In addition, we regularly extend invitations to politicians for discussions and tours at our sites.

National and international associations – especially Europe’s Cefic (European Chemical Industry Council), the USA’s ACC (American Chemistry Council) and Germany’s VCI (Chemical Industry Association; German-language version only) – serve as a platform for our expertise. Working within these bodies, we examine issues ranging from plant, product and occupational safety to environmental protection, nanotechnology and industrial (“white”) . Our experts are also active in trade associations such as Deutsche Bauchemie (German construction-chemicals association), where issues include sustainable construction.

WACKER is a founding member of the ChemDelta Bavaria initiative, which was established in 2007. Companies in this chemistry research and production triangle want to improve and expand the region’s economic competitiveness – in harmony with its communities and the environment. Its Burghausen site makes WACKER one of the cornerstones of the Bavarian Chemical Triangle. A major focus of ChemDelta Bavaria is on improving the regional infrastructure. In addition to upgrading rail services, the initiative’s infrastructure goals include expanding the A94 freeway between Munich and Passau and constructing a third runway at Munich airport. During the reporting period, ChemDelta Bavaria gave presentations, for example, during working breakfasts with politicians in Munich and Berlin and at party conventions.

Combined Heat and Power Plant
Combined heat and power (CHP) plants generate both electricity and useful heat. This system can be much more efficient at using the input energy (e.g. fuel oil or natural gas) than are conventional systems with separate facilities. Because primary energy is conserved, CHP plants emit significantly less carbon dioxide than conventional power plants.
Polysilicon
Hyperpure polycrystalline silicon from WACKER POLYSILICON is used for manufacturing wafers for the electronics and solar industries. To produce it, metallurgical-grade silicon is converted into liquid trichlorosilane, highly distilled and deposited in hyperpure form at 1,000 °C.
Biotechnology
Biotech processes use living cells or enzymes to transform and produce substances. Depending on the application, a distinction is made between red, green and white biotechnology. Red biotechnology: medical and pharmaceutical applications. Green biotechnology: agricultural applications. White biotechnology: biotech-based products and industrial processes, e.g. in the chemical, textile and food sectors.