Solvay announces “ambitious goals” for sustainable development

Solvay has announced a total of 25 “ambitious goals” as part of its sustainable development growth strategy.

The company states the strategies aim to take up the social, environmental and economical challenges that it faces today and in the future.

All of the goals are listed in Solvay’s eighth report on health, safety, environment and sustainable development – called Towards Sustainable Development.

Included in the challenges are a “substantial” increase in the energy-efficiency of the company’s production plants and processes, a 20 per cent reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases by 2020 and the development of new products such as improved materials for fuel cells.

Christian Jourquin, chief executive officer of Solvay, states sustainable development has become a “major challenge” for the human race and that the firm is committed to “responding consistently” to this test.

“These issues relate to our role as a large consumer and converter of natural resources (such as limestone, salt, water and fossil fuels), to the direction being taken by our portfolio of products and services and to our geographical expansion and the associated socio-economic implications,” he adds.

In recent days, Solvay announced Mr Jourquin had been elected to serve a two-year term as president of the European Chemical Industry Council – Cefic.