Action points 🔍

1. Increase transparency

Although LyondellBasell has responded to our request for more information regarding the company’s chemicals management, much is still unknown about LyondellBasell’s production and use of hazardous chemicals. To demonstrate a commitment to transparency, LyondellBasell should disclose both the share of revenue and production volume of products that are, or contain, hazardous chemicals. This information should cover all operations, including subsidiaries, worldwide. Sabic provides a good example, as it has disclosed its full chemicals portfolio, including production volumes and locations.

2. Map and phase out persistent chemicals

LyondellBasell is responsible for placing at least one persistent chemicals on the US/EU market. The risks linked to persistent chemicals are becoming increasingly clear, not only for human health and the environment, but also for companies and their shareholders. The regulatory tightening, high-profile lawsuits, and rising consumer awareness make business models based on persistent chemicals increasingly risky. LyondellBasell has already identified the revenue share generated by products containing PFAS. LyondellBasell should expand this to all persistent substances. Next, it should publish a time-bound plan to entirely phase out persistent chemicals from all product groups and/or business segments.

3. Develop safer solutions

LyondellBasell currently lacks a strict policy for limiting hazardous chemicals in its new product development. As a result, both its existing and future product lines are dependent on substances that run the risk of becoming regulated. Therefore, LyondellBasell may face growing challenges in maintaining profitability in the long term. The company should set a 2030 target for the share of revenue generated by products free from hazardous chemicals and develop a strategy to achieve it. A first step should be to, similarly to Lanxess, publicly state that it will not develop or market new end-products containing more than 0.1% of substances that have the characteristics of a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHCs).