Metrics

Air and water pollution

WACKER includes all fully consolidated companies when recording emissions to air and water in accordance with Annex II of the E-PRTR Regulation. Reporting takes every production site into account. Data is collected at the sites on the basis of local legal requirements, enabling data to be used both for the Group’s environmental reporting and for site-specific official reporting obligations. Local regulatory requirements determine whether the data is measured, calculated or estimated, though this data is preferably measured or calculated using standardized substance-specific and established methods. If this is not technically feasible or possible due to local circumstances, we estimate the emissions data on the basis of established extrapolation methods and empirical values. To this end, emissions measured at relevant sites are used and applied to other sites with similar production processes. If, contrary to expectations, we become aware of significant deviations the following year, the value concerned is adjusted retroactively. However, this was not necessary for the previous year.

Data is collected on a site-specific basis using our groupwide reporting tool and is verified both at site level and by the Group Coordinator for the Environment. Our materiality assessment revealed that no disclosures on soil contamination and microplastics were required, as no relevant impacts, risks or opportunities were identified.

The following table shows all the metrics relevant to WACKER in accordance with Annex III of the E-PRTR Regulation. Only sites that exceed the specific thresholds for the reporting obligation are taken into account.

Substances of concern and substances of very high concern

WACKER includes all fully consolidated companies when recording substances of concern (SOCs) and substances of very high concern (SVHCs). Related reporting takes account of all raw materials used and all products sold throughout the Group. The individual substances are classified on the basis of legal requirements in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation) and the classification is updated systemically for the entire Group by the relevant experts. An internally developed tool enables us to evaluate the relevant substances and their components across the Group according to their SOC/SVHC percentages and quantities in a suitably standardized manner. If, contrary to expectations, we become aware of significant deviations the following year, the value concerned is adjusted retroactively.

The following table shows all the quantities and main classes of substances of concern and of very high concern that are relevant to WACKER. These substances may be contained in several of the designated categories.

As a chemical manufacturer, we use a variety of chemical raw materials that are converted into products by our production processes. These raw materials may be substances of concern and of very high concern, or may contain components thereof. We keep the risk of handling these substances as low as possible by complying with the legal requirements for production, transport, storage and safe handling. Furthermore, we minimize the risk of damage to the environment, nature and people through a high level of plant-safety precautions and the use of trained staff.

More than 90 percent of the substances of concern are raw materials or raw-material components that are used and transformed chemically in our production facilities. Only a small amount of such substances of concern is contained in our products. These products are mainly used by our customers for industrial purposes, which likewise means taking account of legal requirements and using trained staff. Our product stewardship experts ensure that our products fulfill all the requirements necessary for their sale. In addition, our (material) safety data sheets communicate information on safely handling substances of concern and of very high concern.