Metrics

Resource inflows

Raw materials

To manufacture our specialty chemicals, we predominantly use five main raw materials: methanol, ethylene, acetic acid, silicon metal and starch/dextrose (see the above diagram on our main raw materials).

Ethylene, acetic acid and methanol are still currently based mainly on fossil, petrochemical sources. Silicon is manufactured from quartz (silicon dioxide). Starch and dextrose are biogenically based raw materials.

Renewable raw materials from biogenic sources

In the course of our strategy to replace fossil carbon with a renewable source, we are increasingly raising our share of biogenic raw materials. To do so, we are gradually replacing our main raw materials, i.e. methanol and acetic acid, with the corresponding biogenic grades certified as 100 percent sustainable (e.g. ISSC, PEFC). Ethanol is already largely purchased as bio-ethanol, which is primarily recovered from fermentation processes, as is the case with our biogenic raw materials, i.e. starch and dextrose.

The wood-based operating materials that we buy are 100 percent certified (PEFC, FSC, etc.). In the case of wood-based packaging material, 23 percent was procured sustainably in the reporting year (including material certified by PEFC and FSSC).

The cascade principle applies to the use of bio-based raw materials.

Renewable raw materials from recycling

As part of our integrated production system, the circular economy is applied to our production processes. Byproducts are recovered and reused in production. This saves resources and reduces the environmental impact of our products. The constant expansion and optimization of our integrated production system helps us to continue to conserve resources and to close material loops going forward. One such example is the integrated chlorine production system in place at the Burghausen and Nünchritz sites, where 93 percent to 96 percent of hydrogen chloride is reused and recirculated. An exact calculation of the total amount reused is not possible due to the highly complex nature of the integrated production system.

In terms of our main fossil raw materials, the percentage of recycled material was just under 14 percent in the reporting year.

In the case of packaging, just under 50 percent of paper was already recycled in the reporting year and around 6.5 percent of plastic components.

Data regarding resource inflows is collected globally using a standardized Group ERP system at material and goods category level. This data is assessed and verified by the Corporate Procurement & Logistics department. The values provided constitute absolute quantities wherever possible. The data is primarily made up of measured values. A minor proportion is calculated and estimated on the basis of established extrapolation methodologies and empirical values.

The following table shows all the resource inflow parameters relevant to WACKER.

Resource outflows

Products

Since only small quantities of WACKER products are included in the relevant end product, we do not consider the disclosure regarding resource outflows from products and materials as material.

Waste

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. In other words, local regulatory requirements determine whether the data is measured, calculated or estimated. To meet publication obligations, the sites can choose to use estimates in certain instances for the last few weeks of the year. This involves established extrapolation methods to ensure precise data reporting.

In general, waste quantities and flows are subject to legally required comprehensive evidencing, which is followed accordingly at the sites. In Germany, for example, waste support methods between waste producers and waste disposers enable end-to-end traceability of waste journeys. However owing to local legislation, it is not always possible to allocate waste quantities and types at our global sites to absolutely uniform criteria. The specification and disposal of waste in particular are subject to locally applicable definitions and provisions. We use this information as a basis for preparing and assessing our yearly waste reporting.

The following table shows all the resource outflow metrics relevant to WACKER.