Solvay

Headquartered in Brussels, Solvay is the world’s largest producer of soda ash and sodium bicarbonate. The company is also a large supplier of hydrogen peroxide, functional polymers, silica, surfactants, food and fragrance flavours, and specialty polymers. Solvay serves numerous industries, including agriculture, automotive, healthcare, aerospace, and consumer goods.

Total score

11 / 48

Grade summary

Solvay produces 35 SIN List substances (including five persistent chemicals), 14 of which are officially recognised as chemicals of high concern by the EU. The company has a method in place to screen and assess the sustainability of…

Product Portfolio

0 / 18

Solvay produces 35 SIN List substances, 14 of which are included on the REACH Candidate List and three of which are also found on the REACH Authorisation List. The Belgian company produces five persistent chemicals. Persistent chemicals are particularly problematic since they do not break down, but instead accumulate in humans and/or the environment. Because of this, persistent chemicals should be of extra concern for investors. Substances which are not considered a problem today could become huge liabilities in the future.

Development of Safer Chemicals

5 / 12

Solvay has a method in place to screen and assess the sustainability of its products and includes intrinsic hazards of ingredients in the screening process. The company does not follow the principles of green chemistry or use the GreenScreen assessment tool, nor does it exclude substances with toxic properties from new products. It does, however, actively market safer alternatives on its website.

Management & Transparency

6 / 12

The company has a timed phase-out strategy for hazardous substances and shares chemical safety information on its website. Solvay is a member of Responsible Care and follows voluntary standards such as a Code of Conduct and a Supplier Code of Conduct.