Evonik’s Active Oxygens business line has released a new sustainability strategy for its hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), peracetic acid and persulfates. This includes steps to slash carbon emissions and increase resource efficiency in production, with the goal of achieving climate neutrality across the business line by 2040.
Three more companies have joined Together for Sustainability (TfS), the industry initiative for sustainable supply chains, bringing the total membership to 36. They are Germany- and Switzerland-based CDMO CABB; Mitsui, which is the first Japanese member; and Sennics, a Sinochem International subsidiary that makes polymer additives.
Cepsa Química has introduced the first products in its new line of sustainable chemicals. Both are derived from biomass and contain at least 68% sustainable or alternative carbon sources using the mass balance approach, with equivalent performance to existing products based on fossil sources.
These are NextLAB, which is a fossil-free linear alkylbenzene (LAB) for use in the production of biodegradable household laundry and cleaning products; and NextPhenol, which will replace phenol in automotive, construction and pharmaceutical applications.
The European Commission has revised certain information requirements for registering chemicals under REACH. It advised companies to start preparing as the changes will start to apply in October. Further advice will be issued in 2H and changes will be made accordingly in Iuclid.
The main changes concern requirements and specific rules for the adaptation of:
* In vitro and in vivo studies, when further studies are needed based on mutagenicity concerns
Ethisphere has named Lonza and Ecolab among the 136 publicly traded companies in 45 industries in 22 countries in its ‘World’s Most Ethical Companies’ listing. These have outperformed a comparable index of large cap companies by 24.6 percentage points over the past five calendar years.
Lonza, which appeared for the second time was one of thee in the Pharmaceuticals category, along with Pfizer and Eli Lilly. The company said that the aware “acknowledges its successful efforts in combining performance with integrity and accountability”.
Together for Sustainability (TfS), the industry initiative for sustainable chemical supply chains, is launching the TfS Academy. It calls this a “free capability-building and learning offering for its member companies and their suppliers”, enabling them to keep on top of the latest recommendations and expectations in the area of sustainable procurement.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has brought forward a proposal to ban all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in fire-fighting foams in the EU. A six-month consultation period with stakeholders will begin on 23 March.
This follows an investigation the agency carried out at the request of the European Commission into the strengths and weaknesses of five different options. It concluded that the risks posed by PFASs are currently not adequately controlled and that releases should be minimised.
