A Message from our President and CEO – JP Aucoin
“I have never been more proud to be part of Bakelite Synthetics.
From new ownership to our recent acquisition of Georgia-Pacific Chemicals, we are seizing opportunities to grow. We are seeking to embed sustainability in everything we do, from creating sustainable products and technologies to advancing our corporate culture that emphasizes safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. That is who we are, and our sustainability strategy is a natural extension of our 100-year legacy of innovation to profitably produce infinite solutions that make life better for you and the planet.
We have achieved many milestones in 2022 that have helped us become a more sustainable, resilient company, from establishing our baseline greenhouse gas inventories, to laying the foundational work to publishing this inaugural report on Bakelite’s sustainability journey. Our efforts have aligned with the sustainability criteria set forth by the United Nations (UN), and we are proud to be a participating member in the UN Global Compact.
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Another important development is that we have joined the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and its Responsible Care® program. As a member of the Responsible Care® program, we will be working alongside industry leaders to enhance our sustainability practices and improve our environmental performance. We are confident that our membership in the ACC and participation in the Responsible Care® program will enable us to make even greater strides toward achieving our sustainability goals.
We are also proud of our dedication to making a positive impact in the social domain, with our employees at the core of our focus. Social impact is a key component in our success. We are dedicated to our employees’ well-being and safety, and proud to have a safety performance ranking in the top quartile of American Chemistry Council (ACC) peer companies in 2022. To further support our employees, we expanded parental leave benefits in the U.S. in 2022. Our employees are at the heart of our business and have a strong voice in shaping the future of Bakelite. We encourage them to put their fingerprints on our business and join us in making a difference, not just for our company but also in the communities where they live and work.
In our unwavering commitment to remain at the forefront of sustainability in the industry, we have established a new executive role and an ESG Advisory Committee dedicated to driving our sustainability initiatives. We know that our dedication to sustainability will help us become a stronger company while also making a positive impact on our planet.
At BAKELITE SYNTHETICS, our products touch lives daily, and we are committed to becoming a stronger company while contributing to the betterment of our planet. Together with our Executive Leadership Team, I am proud to share our sustainability journey with you as a key element in BAKELITE’S strategy and as a leader in our industry.
JEAN-PAUL AUCOIN
PRESIDENT & CEO, BAKELITE SYNTHETICS
2022 Sustainability Report
This report outlines the most significant environmental, social and governance operations and activities of Bakelite Synthetics for the calendar year 2022 and key sustainability initiatives for 2023.
Our objective is to ensure transparency in our management and measurement of progress towards meeting our sustainability objectives and fulfilling stakeholder expectations. This report also contains forward-looking and aspirational statements regarding targets, plans, strategies, and objectives.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
Our Sustainability Aspirations
We believe in continuous improvement and have a longstanding history of viewing our work with a critical lens and striving to get better every day. It’s simply part of our DNA. This mindset extends to sustainability, which is not just a strategy or initiative, but a core part of our identity and purpose. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in various aspects of our operations, including:
Energy and Emissions
As a company that develops environmentally responsible technologies, we understand our role in reducing our environmental impact.
To accomplish this, we have integrated sustainability into our business strategy, operations, and risk management. We have implemented initiatives to harness renewable energy, including identifying opportunities to reduce the total energy we consume through site-level energy assessments sharing best practices, and sourcing low-carbon energy. We will continue to track our share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through GHG inventories.
Occupational Health and Safety
To promote our employees’ health and safety, we have an EHS (Environmental, Health and Safety) Policy that lays out our guiding principles and leadership expectations around EHS.
This policy is the foundation of our EHS Standards and Programs that guide our actions and track key indicators to drive enhancement of EHS performance. Creating and maintaining EHS awareness is crucial to ensure our associates and contractors understand risks and adopt safe behaviors. These programs promote a culture of safety, where everyone is engaged and accountable for safe work practices and responsible environmental behaviors.
Our Key Focus Areas
We have numerous programs to support and educate our employees including:
- Both corporate and local, tailored safety training
- Job Risk Analysis (JRA) and Last Minute Risk Analysis (LMRA) tools and training
- Life Saving Rules which support EHS awareness and engagement
- Recognition, Observations, and Concerns (ROC)
- Job Stop Trigger
- EHS Calls and EHS Alerts
- EHS Dialogues
Community Engagement
Our charitable initiatives reflect our core values of community, compassion, and social commitment.
By supporting our local communities, we are investing in the well-being of the people and places that support us, fostering positive relationships and contributing to a better future for all. Our efforts are diverse and range from organizing food drives to volunteering at local organizations.
Italy
Our Bakelite Italian team runs a food drive to support their community.
United States Of America
Our Louisville associates volunteer at the Shively Area Ministries (SAM), an organization that provides a sanctuary for people in need in the area.
United Kingdom
Our UK team supports the UK Hospice Garden in Barry, which provides a calming outdoor space for patients and their families.
Chile
Our Chile team has been supporting the Bernardita Serrano Children’s Home in San Pedro de la Paz, Concepción, Chile for 15 years, provinding a safe and nurturing enviroment for children in vulnerable conditions, until they can return to their families or are adopted.
Certifications
“The exciting part about our journey is that we are now viewing our work through a new lens with sustainability.
We have a different perspective and approach, not just in terms of compliance, but in how we can use our business to create value for our customers and drive sustainability. As a result, we are discovering new opportunities that we hadn’t seen before. This is really invigorating and engaging for our employees, who are deeply committed to sustainability and want to feel a sense of purpose in their work. They are fully invested in this journey.”
Andrea Croslyn
Evp, Business Process And Sustainability
We Support
As a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact, Bakelite Synthetics is committed to aligning strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and take actions that advance societal goals. Read Our Announcement.
Responsible Care (RC) is a voluntary initiative of the chemical industry. The objective: continuous improvement in the areas of environmental protection, health and safety (EHS).
Our Reach is Global
NORTH AMERICA
Atlanta, GA (HQ)
Beaver Creek, MI
Columbus, OH
Conway, NC
Crossett, AR
Decatur, GA
Longueuil, QC
Louisville, KY
Lufkin, TX
Riegelwood, NC
Taylorsville, MS
SOUTH AMERICA
EUROPE
Botlek, The Netherlands
Cowie, United Kingdom
Frielendorf, Germany
Kitee, Finland
Lantaron, Spain
Solbiate, Italy
Get in Touch
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