Sustainability

Our Mission

Sustainability is part of Evonik’s corporate strategy, with emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

At our core, we develop catalytic processes designed for higher efficiency and fewer by-products than conventional routes in defined applications, such as HPPO technology for propylene oxide production.

Whether it’s the cars we drive, or the packaging of our food, is part of almost every manufactured product – powering innovation and advances across industries worldwide. We see specialty chemistry as an important contributor to decarbonization across industries, in line with Evonik’s aspiration to become climate neutral by 2050 (see "Mitigating Climate Change")

As an established supplier of catalysts and adsorbents, we develop technologies that deliver value to customers and can reduce environmental impact compared with conventional alternatives in defined applications. Catalyst reuse is one concrete way we put this into practice.

Evonik Sustainability Shortcuts

Sustainability at Evonik

Evonik Sustainability Reports

Evonik's Contribution to UN SDGs

Circular Economy

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Connect with our Catalysts Experts

Sustainability Milestones

As part of the Evonik Group, we are committed to playing our part in achieving key sustainability targets.

-25%

absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 vs. 2021
Evonik Group target, validated by SBTi

2030

-11 %

absolute Scope 3 emissions (upstream categories and downstream transportation and distribution) by 2030 vs. 2021 – Evonik Group target, validated by SBTi

2030

0 %

Climate neutral by 2050
Evonik Group aspiration covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions

2050

Dr. Alexander Weber, Head of Evonik Catalysts business line

“For us, sustainability starts with the development of innovative catalyst solutions. With our products and technologies, we help our customers make their processes more efficient and reduce defined environmental impacts compared with their current operation – for example, lower CO₂-eq emissions with rejuvenated instead of fresh catalyst, or fewer off-spec products with effective feed purification.”

Click here to read the full interview with Alexander Weber

Our Strategy

Footprint & handprint

At Evonik Catalysts, sustainability is built into specific programs: catalyst regeneration and rejuvenation, metal recovery, and our contribution to Evonik’s SBTi-validated emissions targets. But what does that mean in practice?

It means working to reduce the environmental impacts of our own manufacturing and shipping, in line with Evonik’s target to cut absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25% between 2021 and 2030. At the same time, we’re growing our handprint, by helping customers reduce specific impacts – such as waste and CO₂-eq emissions – compared with fresh-catalyst supply or unpurified process operation, in defined applications.

We are also aligned with Evonik’s wider sustainability goals, including a target to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25% between 2021 and 2030, supported by a planned € 700 million investment in Next Generation Technologies. Our sustainability objectives are guided by four focus areas: fighting climate change, safeguarding ecosystems, driving circularity, and ensuring health and wellbeing.

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Flow chemistry

In the realm of chemical synthesis, the transition from batch to continuous flow processing is revolutionizing the industry. Evonik Catalysts is at the forefront of this transformation, offering a suite of advanced catalyst solutions that significantly enhance the efficiency and safety of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Discover the potential of flow chemistry with Evonik's expertise and innovation.

Nickel foam

Most chemical processes use catalysts in granule, extrudate, tablet or powder form. At Evonik, we are constantly asking ourselves how to make a difference. That’s why we have developed a much better alternative to conventional catalysts for fixed-bed applications. Our innovative metal foams are a game changer. They perform better, are more efficient and sustainable.

Petalite, petalite or castorite is an important mineral for obtaining lithium, battery industry, lithium source

LiOCEL®

The global shift to electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and portable devices is driving an increase in demand for lithium. While traditional lithium production methods have supplied the industry for decades, they fall short because of lengthy production cycles, resource-intensive processes, and vulnerabilities related to climate conditions. That’s where Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) steps in.

We have four Sustainability Focus Areas that guide our work.

We are focused on reducing our scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and using renewable energies.

Innovative Catalyst solutions

A better alternative to conventional catalysts for fixed-bed applications, our innovative nickel foam catalysts boast the same output with fewer quantities, a longer catalyst life and are fully recoverable – with little to no waste.

Read more about our nickel foam catalysts

Flow chemistry

With precious metal powder catalysts suitable for flow chemistry – which translates batch processes to continuous flow – the efficiency of reactions is improved; raw material and solvent consumption is reduced

Read more about our flow chemistry expertise

Adorbents

Our adsorbents are used as part of a process to re-refine used oil, to make it suitable for reuse – helping reduce the carbon footprint.

Adsorbent solutions from Evonik Catalysts

Excel® Rejuvenation

An alternative to fresh catalysts, this technology restores spent catalysts back to their original activity. By utilizing Excel® Rejuvenated catalysts – as opposed to using fresh ones – there is a 60% decrease in CO₂eq emissions, and a 60% reduction in waste.

Catalyst Rejuvenation

Biodiesel

A substitute for petroleum diesel, biodiesel reduces CO2 emissions up to 67%, and can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 86% over its entire life cycle. Evonik’s alkoxide portfolio is tailored for the transesterification process that produces this biodegradable material.

Alkoxides for Biodiesel

Focused upon the use of environmentally friendly products, Evonik products and solutions can support deforestation-free supply chains and biodiversity.

ESHQ

We boast an established, integrated ESHQ (Environment, Safety, Health & Quality) management system, based on ISO standards. These are focused on commitments to the environment, ecological awareness, climate protection and energy saving, and health protection for employees worldwide.

Responsibility for environment, safety, health & quality

Zero liquid discharge plant

Our facility in Dombivli, India purifies and recycles wastewater at the end of an industrial process, for more efficient water use and a significant reduction in waste liquid from the plant.

We aim to use renewable and circular raw materials, reduce production waste, and produce products that enable circular solutions.

Precious metal management & recycling

Our five-step closed loop system recovers precious metal from spent catalysts. As recycled metal has a significantly lower carbon footprint than alternative metals from primary sources, this cycle can help customers achieve sustainability targets and contribute to a circular economy.

Precious Metal Management & Recycling

Polyester Recycling

PET – polyethylene terephthalate – waste requires a recycling solution. At Evonik our scientists are looking for ways to convert PET into its chemical components – in turn, recovering pure raw materials.

Circular Plastics initiative

As part of Evonik’s Global Circular Plastics Program, our catalysts and adsorbents facilitate chemical recycling of plastics residues that would otherwise end up in landfill or incinerated. We have developed a chemical recycling process that regains the basic components of polyurethanes, to produce new polyurethanes.

More information about chemical recycling

When specialty chemistry is not done right, it can expose people to volatile organic compounds, microparticles or dangerous chemicals – an important focus of ours is how we avoid this and keep people safe.

Our catalysts for Life Science and Fine Chemicals are used for making food and feed, pharmaceuticals and agrichemicals, cosmetics and care specialties. These products improve the quality and standard of living and ensure the nutrition, health and well-being of an ever-expanding and aging society.

Activated & precious metal catalysts

Through handling instructions, we enable customers to use our activated metal and precious metal catalysts safely and correctly over their individual life cycles.

Handling solutions

Activated foam catalysts

To make the catalyst exchange process safer and faster, we activate foam catalysts by leaching the surface to generate a ready-to-use product. When a customer receives these catalysts in water-filled drums, they can be poured directly out into the reactor – without hazard dust or elaborate protective measures.

Next Generation Solutions

Catalysts play a central role in modern manufacturing – and we work to make selected processes more efficient, with fewer by-products than conventional routes.

From flow chemistry in pharma to metal foams that enhance catalyst performance, and technologies that regenerate and recycle spent catalysts, reducing emissions compared with fresh catalyst and supporting customers’ decarbonization efforts – for example, Excel® rejuvenated catalysts reduce CO₂-eq emissions by 60% compared with fresh catalysts (TÜV-certified life cycle assessment)

Our aim:
reduce our footprint, help reduce our customers’ footprint, and expand our collective handprint

Discover Our Solutions

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Resource Conservation

We continue to explore innovative technologies and strategies designed to create a circular approach to use of resources, placing rejuvenation, re-use and recycling at the forefront of our efforts.

Greener fuels

The development and adoption of greener fuels are a key factor behind how we are re-engineering our portfolio to help industries continue to transition to a cleaner, lower-carbon future.

Energy Efficiency

We’re rethinking how chemistry powers industry. From flow chemistry to Nickel Foam, our Next Gen Technologies enhance efficiency, reduce energy use, and support lower-impact manufacturing as we pursue a Net Zero future.

Closed- loop economy

From enabling closed-loop material cycles to advancing chemical recycling, our catalysts and technologies support the shift from linear production models to a more circular economy.

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Climate change

Reducing greenhouse gases and a commitment to cutting CO2 emissions sits at the heart of our role in fighting climate change. Learn how we’re facilitating ways to ensure chemistry can drive sustainability.

Recycling

Through advanced catalyst systems and recovery processes, we’re turning end-of-life materials into new resources. Explore how we're giving catalysts a second life that’s just as effective, and more sustainable.

Connect with our Catalysts Experts

If you have any questions or need expert insights, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you can connect with the specialists from the Catalysts business unit, who are ready to support you with their deep knowledge and experience.

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