Grade summary

Newcomer Sika scores 16 points and gets a C- in ChemScore 2022. The company produces 11 hazardous substances, including one persistent chemical. However, the content of two thirds of Sika’s product portfolio is unknown, since it’s sold outside of EU and US markets, where there are generally no public records available. The company performs impact assessments and toxicological evaluations, and develops products with high sustainability profiles. These are marketed on the company’s own channels, but not on any independent third-party platforms such as ChemSec Marketplace. Sika gets points for having circular processes and using biobased material. It does not, however, receive a point for the use of recycled materials, since it is not clear that the materials are hazardous-free. Sika has not been involved in any major controversies during the last ten years, earning it a full score in the last category.

How did we come to this score?

Opportunities for improvement

1. Map and phase out persistent chemicals
   Sika produces one persistent chemical. 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. Sika should therefore make sure to identify all uses, and publish volumes and percentage of total revenue of its persistent substance. The company should also publish a time-bound phase-out plan 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 Sika has 11 hazardous chemicals in its production portfolio, a paramount improvement point for the company is to reduce this number. Sika 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. Increase transparency
   Not much is known about Sika’s production of hazardous chemicals. We have requested that the company disclose information about its chemicals management, but the company has not responded to that request. In order to be more transparent, Sika should disclose the full list of hazardous chemicals that it produces, including the volume of each of these chemicals as well as its percentage of the total revenue. It would also be wise to specify which chemicals are intended for end products and for intermediate use. Generally speaking, information about chemicals sold in EU and US markets is available through public records, which is not the case in other parts of the world. For that reason, Sika should make the details of its revenue generated outside of these regions public to ensure chemical transparency and allow for a comprehensive global evaluation.

Category breakdown