NOT CURRENT YEAR

Grade C
ChemScore report card 2022

Lanxess

About the company

Lanxess is a German specialty chemicals company that was founded in 2004 through the spin-off of the chemicals division and parts of the polymers business from Bayer AG. The company produces, among other things, disinfectants, colorant additives, biocidal ingredients for microbial control and rubber chemicals for tires. In 2016, Lanxess began to focus on the market for additives for lubricants and fire retardants by acquiring Chemtura and placing its rubber business into a joint venture with Aramco.
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Total score
19 / 48

Grade summary

Lanxess has made a significant improvement in this year’s ChemScore. It scores seven points more than last year and moves from 27th to 9th position in the ranking. This strong score leap – surpassed only by Solvay – is due to its 100 percent portfolio transparency, making it possible to assess the company’s entire product range. Only one other company in the ranking reaches this level of transparency. The score climb is also due to Lanxess’ commitment to prohibit substances of very high concern when developing new products, a commitment made by just one additional ChemScore company. However, Lanxess has a whopping 80 hazardous substances in its product portfolio – 15 of which are persistent – and lacks a clear and time-bound strategy to phase these out. The company has a line of sustainable products called “Energizers”, but does not market these on any independent third-party platforms.

How did we come to this score?

Opportunities for improvement

  1. Map and phase out persistent chemicals
    Lanxess produces 15 persistent chemicals, which is two fewer than last year. These substances are also known as “forever chemicals” due to the fact that they do not break down in nature. Instead, these chemicals — which are linked to many negative health effects — build up over time. The consequences of these substances are becoming increasingly detrimental, not only for human health and the environment but also for investors. Investors risk stranded assets now that the regulatory speed is accelerating, and are also exposed to significant liability risks since more chemical companies are being sued for contamination. Lanxess should therefore make sure to identify all uses, and publish volumes and percentage of total revenue of its persistent substances. The company should also publish a time-bound phase-out plan for each persistent chemical and an annual progression report to go with it.
  2. Reduce hazardous portfolio
    Scientists agree that chemical pollution has crossed a planetary boundary and become an urgent global problem. This threatens the stability of global ecosystems upon which humanity depends, by damaging the biological and physical processes that underpin all life. Since Lanxess has 80 hazardous chemicals in its product portfolio, a paramount improvement point for the company is to reduce this number. Lanxess should therefore make sure to identify all uses, and publish volumes and percentage of total revenue of its hazardous substances. It should also publish a reduction road map of each hazardous chemical and an annual progression report. If the company continues to produce any hazardous substances, it needs to present a rationale for its essential use, motivate the production volume, and state how much money it spends on research and development to find a safer alternative.
  3. Market safer alternatives
    We did identify safer alternatives in Lanxess’ product portfolio, but these are not marketed on any independent third-party platform. Therefore, they are hard to find for downstream users looking to substitute hazardous chemicals. A good place to advertise is ChemSec’s Marketplace, where buyers and suppliers can find and market safer alternatives.

Category breakdown

Categories diagram

How did we come to this score?

Do you want to know more about our methodology and how we rank the companies at ChemScore?

Read more about our methodology
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Overall rank
9 / 54
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Total score
19 / 48
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Product Portfolio
0 / 18
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Development of Safer Chemicals
10 / 12
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Management & Transparency
6 / 12
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Lack of Controversies
3 / 6
Other years
Year Rank Total score
2024 6 / 51 23 / 48
2023 5 / 50 22 / 48
2022 9 / 54 19 / 48
2021 27 / 50 12 / 48