Sustainability

Sustainability is a central element in Evonik’s goal to make life better for present and future generations. Every day, we work towards goals that include our three most important sustainability topics: Decreasing our footprint, increasing our handprint and driving circularity.

Since October 2023, Evonik has been harnessing sustainable electricity to produce its VESTAMID® compounds. With our strong production network in Marl, we have decreased the carbon footprint of an average PA12 compound by 30%.

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We additionally offer products that incorporate waste-based biomethane and sustainably sourced raw materials, using a mass balanced approach. These products have up to 70% less carbon footprint than other products, yet have the same exact quality, properties and performance. Customers can fully benefit from these more sustainable solutions while preserving their processes and existing manufacturing-chain certifications.

Up to 70 percent less CO₂ in the production of VESTAMID® eCO, compared to conventional VESTAMID®

Outline of a cloud containing the text “CO2” with downward arrows below it, symbolizing a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and a lower environmental impact

Certified footprint-assessments

Transparency is the key to sustainability decision-making. We provide externally certified life cycle assessments so our customers can make fact-based decisions. This allows customers to improve the sustainability of their processes in a well-documented, data-based approach, and be better prepared for future requirements. Our data has been evaluated and certified by independent experts from TÜV Rheinland. Life cycle assessments (LCAs) are already available for more than 100 of our molding compounds.

Request a Life cycle assessment

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All of our standard VESTAMID® compounds are produced with sustainable electricity. This reduces our emissions by 30 percent for a standard compound as compared to our production in 2023.

Three colored icons on a white background highlighting sustainability features: carbon dioxide reduction, use of renewable electricity, and production of VESTAMID® compounds

Our VESTAMID® RFP (“Reduced footprint”) product line reflects Evonik’s companywide goal of providing high-performing, sustainable solutions to our customers. At our cogeneration plants in Marl, we use biomethane recovered from waste to generate steam and heat, and we also use sustainable electricity – in total, this lowers the CO₂ emissions of our VESTAMID® RFP by up to 50 percent. The increased sustainability of our manufacturing process has no effect on quality: VESTAMID® RFP products have the exact same high-quality properties as our standard VESTAMID® range.

Three icons representing sustainability features: renewable electricity, biomethane energy source, and sustainable raw materials used for advanced polymer production

All of our standard VESTAMID® compounds are produced with sustainable electricity. This reduces our emissions by 30 percent for a standard compound as compared to our production in 2023.

Two icons showing renewable electricity and biomethane as energy sources used in sustainable polymer production

VESTAMID® Terra

Since 2009, Evonik has offered molding compounds made from plant-based starting materials. Our VESTAMID® Terra products are made from monomers obtained from castor oil.

Our Contribution to a Sustainable Future

As a globally active company, Evonik is serious about its opportunity to contribute to a better future. We have integrated sustainability into our commitment of “Leading Beyond Chemistry.” Currently, sustainable product solutions account for 43 percent of our total sales. We want to increase the handprint our products leave. By 2030, we aim to increase these “Next Generation Solutions” even further, so they form more than 50 percent of all of our sales.

Evonik is also committed to reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions with a 25 percent reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions and an 11 percent reduction in scope 3 emissions by 2030.

Find out more about Evonik's sustainability pledge

We Make the Raw Materials for Tomorrow’s Sustainable Products

Through continuous research and product development, Evonik is continually adapting its portfolio to the needs of an evolving world.

Our VESTAMID® products are currently the world’s most widely used polyamide 12 for automotive wiring systems. The demand for VESTAMID® continues to as the world shifts to more electrified modes of transport. VESTAMID® is a versatile product – along with wiring systems, it is an ideal material for use in busbars and other electric-vehicle battery and charging systems.

In the future, VESTAMID® products can also be used in pipelines to transport hydrogen, which is a clean fuel that has only water as a byproduct when properly consumed, or in linings for tanks to store CO₂, a greenhouse gas than can be recovered and later used in many industrial processes, including the creation of renewable bio-methane-based alternative fuels.

Electric vehicle chassis with battery pack and highlighted cooling lines in red and blue, illustrating thermal management system for batteries and electric motors

Electric vehicle chassis with battery pack and orange high-voltage cables connecting power busbars, illustrating insulated electrical components within an EV battery system

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Split image showing offshore pipeline infrastructure and close-up of carbon fiber reinforced polyamide material with layered structure

Supporting Technologies That Improve Efficiency and Reduce Waste

We also make INFINAM® products especially designed for 3D printing technologies. On-demand printing is practical, sustainable and resource-saving, and cuts down on overproduction, unnecessary inventory and material waste.

Visit our INFINAM website

Driving Forward a Circular Economy

To reduce waste, we look at developing a sustainable, circular economy on a global scale. An effective circular economy requires collaborative efforts across the full value chain. Evonik contributes to this by pooling together all its circular plastics activities across the globe, in an concerted effort to develop new ways to collect plastic waste and recycle it back into high-quality raw materials.

Let us drive PA12 circularity further with you.

Explore Sustainability Stories with VESTAMID®

Three automotive seat models with layered green components and lightweight structure, illustrating a monomaterial design for improved recyclability and circular production

In the Car Seat on the Journey to Monomaterials

Products made exclusively from one material - only useful for the simplest objects? A team of engineers and plastics experts wants to prove otherwise. They are producing a car seat made entirely of VESTAMID®. In the process, they are gaining important insights into how circularity can be conceived, implemented, and promoted.

Black and white safety shoes labeled "RUNNEX" worn with dark work pants on a warehouse floor.

Safety and tread comfort from scrap tires

Safety shoes should be long lasting and above – be robust. Producers understand how important a resilient and gentle tread is, too – and how customers‘ demands are changing. That includes sustainability. Evonik has an all-round solution with high-performance plastic VESTAMID® eCO, where one raw material is based on used tires.

Circular Brushing in a Circular Economy

A true circular economy requires products that can be recycled efficiently. Many everyday objects have parts made of different plastics that are inseparable. Evonik and its project partners have now developed a toothbrush that consists of a single material.

Your Partner for Advanced Polymer Solutions

Looking for a more sustainable polymer solution?

VESTAMID® enables a reduced CO₂ footprint through renewable energy and sustainable feedstocks—without compromising performance.

Contact our experts to find the right VESTAMID® solution.

Talk to a VESTAMID® expert

More about VESTAMID®

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Quality That Comes from Experience

Discover the VESTAMID® portfolio.

Six colorful circular icons represent sustainability goals like carbon dioxide reduction and sustainable raw materials.

VESTAMID® Sustainably Produced

We decrease the carbon footprint of our highly integrated production sites for VESTAMID® PA12.