FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

The sustainability focus areas of Evonik Smart Effects include CO₂ emissions and circularity. These focus areas form part of Evonik’s company-wide sustainability activities. The respective pages provide specific information for the Smart Effects Business Line on the related activities, indicators and reported progress.

In line with Evonik’s overall strategy, other important topics for us include biodiversity, waste and water management, and social responsibility. Company-wide progress is reported annually in Evonik’s Sustainability Report, using the methods and reporting boundaries described in the report.

Further information on Evonik’s sustainability targets, including their scope, timelines, baseline years and reported progress, is available in 

Find our more about product-related “handprint” effects in selected applications

We offer Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) for our customers. The data is provided via direct customer contact. If you do not have direct business with us, please feel free to contact us.

This page explains how we measure and evaluate environmental impacts of our products and services: 

Transparency is at the core of our sustainability commitments. Our LCA process is TÜV certified and complies with ISO 14040/44/67 and TfS guidelines. We provide detailed information about our methodology, data analysis, and independent verification at Evonik’s sustainability analyses.

We provide EPDs for selected products of our portfolio. These independently verified declarations provide transparent environmental data across the entire product lifecycle and are publicly available at Institut Bauen und Umwelt e.V. (IBU) and other platforms.

Adressing product carbon footprints requires consideration of activities across the entire value chain. At Smart Effects, we focus on three key levers:

• sourcing raw materials with documented carbon and circularity characteristics,

• optimizing our own operations through efficiency measures and electrification,

• increasing the share of renewable energy used in our operations. 

In parallel, we work closely with suppliers and customers to improve data transparency and assess potential opportunities for emissions reductions throughout the product life cycle.

Renewable energy is one of the most important levers for reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions. As of mid-2026, all Evonik Smart Effects sites except Taoyuan sourced 100% of their externally purchased electricity from low-carbon sources. For this indicator, low-carbon sources comprise renewable and nuclear sources. 

Evonik Smart Effects contributes to circularity by working on the use of recycled and biobased raw materials, identify opportunities for by-product valorization, and support the development of closed-loop systems together with our partners

Learn more about our approach and reported progress here

We are aware of our responsibility. Responsible sourcing is a core element for successful raw materials procurement. Protecting human rights, supporting fair and safe working practices, and acting socially responsible is crucial for our activities. Therefore, we have established various processes and active measures.

Read more about Evonik’s guidelines for sustainable procurement

Safety matters. To us and to you. Why Evonik is convinced that synthetic amorphous silica is safe to use: Find concise information, FAQ and scientific studies on this page: Silica is safe

We continuously monitor our product portfolio and working conditions. All occupational health protection and health promotion measures at Evonik are based on our global health program. This covers the three dimensions: medical emergency management, workplace health protection/occupational health, and workplace health promotion with their main drivers and objectives.

Read more about Evonik’s occupational health program

Evonik’s sustainability handprint analysis is closely based on the principles and content of the

World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD)

Portfolio Sustainability Assessments (PSA). This methodology describes the signal categories of specific relevance for the chemical industry:

• Chemical hazard and exposure across the life cycle (SC 1) 

• Global regulatory trends (SC 2)

• Sustainability ambitions in the value chain (SC 3)

• Authoritative ecolabels (SC 4)

• Sustainability performance compared to alternative solutions (SC 5) 

We at Evonik Smart Effects follow this approach to determine the sustainability performance of our portfolio.

The life cycle assessments (LCA) of our products are based on ISO 14040 and 14044. In 2024, TÜV Rheinland Energy & Environment GmbH, (TREE)

verified and approved of the methodology practiced by Evonik´s LCM team in conducting Cradle-to-gate product LCAs.

Further information on Evonik’s external sustainability ratings and rankings, including EcoVadis, is available on the Sustainability Ratings and Rankings page.