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TRANSITION TO
CIRCULAR
Helping you navigate the journey towards a Circular Economy
Across many industries stakeholders in the manufacturing supply chain are looking for solutions to achieve their sustainability goals and provide eco-conscious customers with products that contribute to a more sustainable future for all. Here at Univar Solutions, we are looking to play our part, helping both suppliers and customers be part of the change. Read on to discover how.
The Challenge
The chemical industry uses a small set of raw materials (or feedstocks) to produce tens of thousands of products. Traditionally, this feedstock has often been derived from fossil-based material. More recently, feedstocks derived from bio-based and recycled material have become a viable alternative. However, when bio and recycled feedstocks enter the same manufacturing system as fossil-based feedstocks, they cannot exist in physically divided flows. Separating and delivering these two different feedstocks at scale is operationally and economically unfeasible.
So, how can we deliver bio and recycled feedstocks through a complex supply chain? One approach the chemicals industry is looking to is the Mass Balance method. When underpinned by third-party oversight and certification, Mass Balance can provide a viable option to help transition to a circular economy.
Delivering Circularity with Mass Balance
The Mass Balance approach looks to create a chain of custody across the supply chain, in which certified bio-based and recycled materials are mixed physically with traditional fossil fuel based feedstocks but kept separate on a bookkeeping basis.
Using a mass balance approach, companies can track how much circular, bio-circular, and biomaterial has been used in their manufacturing systems and ensure that it corresponds precisely to the amount of certified content passed along the supply chain or present in a final product.
Mass Balance is a nuanced concept; please visit our Mass Balance Explained page via the link below for further reading on the subject.
International Sustainability & Carbon Certification
The challenge is clear, and we have a method for moving the recycled feedstock through a complex supply chain, but how do we give partners and end users confidence in such a nuanced process?
The International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) is a globally applicable sustainability certification third-party system. With over 8,000 valid certificates in more than 120 countries, it provides an external oversight that reassures partners of the authenticity of any sustainable claims made.
Univar Solutions Invests for a Sustainable Future
As of May 2023, Univar Solution is proud to announce that, alongside our supply chain partners, we have gained successful ISCC accreditation at sites in Belgium and the Netherlands. This means we can now complete the chain of custody between our trusted suppliers and customers.
This demonstrates an important step towards helping suppliers and customers access a circular economy. It also underlines our continued commitment to holistic sustainability and represents a fantastic accomplishment for our sustainability and regional site teams.
Univar Solutions Invests for a Sustainable Future
As of May 2023, Univar Solution is proud to announce that, alongside our supply chain partners, we have gained successful ISCC accreditation at sites in Belgium and the Netherlands. This means we can now complete the chain of custody between our trusted suppliers and customers.
This demonstrates an important step towards helping suppliers and customers access a circular economy. It also underlines our continued commitment to holistic sustainability and represents a fantastic accomplishment for our sustainability and regional site teams.
More on Sustainable & Circular
Our Commitment to Sustainability
As part of its global ESG goals, Univar Solutions has committed to delivering sustainable solutions across the markets it serves. Discover more about our commitment to a more sustainable future.
Mass Balance explained
What is the Mass Balance approach, and how can it benefit you? Learn how this concept is pivotal in giving customers access to products derived from recycled sources.
More on Sustainable & Circular
Our Commitment to Sustainability
As part of its global ESG goals, Univar Solutions has committed to delivering sustainable solutions across the markets it serves. Discover more about our commitment to a more sustainable future.
Mass Balance explained
What is the Mass Balance approach, and how can it benefit you? Learn how this concept is pivotal in giving customers access to products derived from recycled sources.
Dow and Univar collaboration
Univar Solutions has collaborated with Dow to offer their Advanced Recycling products to customers. Find out about how this collaboration could support your sustainability goals.
As a global leader in chemical and ingredient distribution, we take our Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities seriously, and:
Employ environmentally conscious protocols and technologies
Encourage community engagement
Establish practices and partnerships with integrity
Sustainable Solutions
Discover how we can help customers develop and market sustainable products
Sustainable Solutions
Explore how Univar Solutions delivers sustainability solutions to our customers:
- Sustainable & Natural Product Framework
- Sustainable Formulations
- Sustainable Services
2025 Goals
In an effort to drive meaningful change and show our continuous commitment, we've outlined a new set of ESG sustainability goals.
These ambitious standards will allow us to better serve our customers, employees, and partners today, so that together, we can shape a better tomorrow.
2025 Goals
In an effort to drive meaningful change and show our continuous commitment, we've outlined a new set of ESG sustainability goals.
These ambitious standards will allow us to better serve our customers, employees, and partners today, so that together, we can shape a better tomorrow.
Climate Action
Implement technology, processes, and culture to support our sustainability journey.
Reach 20% absolute reduction in CO2e emissions by 2025, and 40% by 2030
Achieve net-zero direct emissions by 2050
Safety
Keep our employees, vendors, and customers safe at work
By 2025, reduce TCIR by 20%
Achieve 100% alignment by and utilization on our global safety program by 2025
Resource Use
Embed the principles of circularity and operational excellence.
Reduce hazardous waste and water waste by 15% by 2025
Triple non-hazardous waste recycling rates by 2025
Introduce sustainble water use at all high-risk sites
Release Prevention
Support the responsible handling of materials across our operations and supply chain.
Reduce significant chemical releases by 40% by 2025
Sustainable Sourcing
Drive improved sustainability performance and minimum standards across our diverse supplier base.
By 2023, get 100% of active suppliers to agree to our Code of Conduct
Assess 80% of suppliers on their sustainability performance (by spend) by 2025
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Increase representation across the organization and encourage employees to lead with their authentic selves.
Maintain a 100% score on the Corporate Equality Index, and at least a 78% score on the Employee Engagement Diversity & Inclusion Index
Increase female representation and ethnic diversity at the people leader level (and above) by 2025
Sustainable Solutions
Leverage sustainable products, services, and practices.
Develop sustainable characteristics for all products
Communicate the key sustainability impacts for non-product-related services
Offer circular packaging solutions for all suitable products
Community Engagement
Demonstrate our committment to local communities
Make charitable contributions through the Univar Solutions Foundation (or other similar means)
Establish employee volunteer hour contributions, and company matching gift contributions
Climate Action
Implement technology, processes, and culture to support our sustainability journey.
Reach 20% absolute reduction in CO2e emissions by 2025, and 40% by 2030
Achieve net-zero direct emissions by 2050
Safety
Keep our employees, vendors, and customers safe at work
By 2025, reduce TCIR by 20%
Achieve 100% alignment by and utilization on our global safety program by 2025
Resource Use
Embed the principles of circularity and operational excellence.
Reduce hazardous waste and water waste by 15% by 2025
Triple non-hazardous waste recycling rates by 2025
Release Prevention
Support the responsible handling of materials across our operations and supply chain.
Reduce significant chemical releases by 40% by 2025
Sustainable Sourcing
Drive improved sustainability performance and minimum standards across our diverse supplier base.
By 2023, get 100% of active suppliers to agree to our Code of Conduct
Assess 80% of suppliers on their sustainability performance (by spend) by 2025
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Increase representation across the organization and encourage employees to lead with their authentic selves.
Maintain a 100% score on the Corporate Equality Index, and at least a 78% score on the Employee Engagement Diversity & Inclusion Index
Increase female representation and ethnic diversity at the people leader level (and above) by 2025
Resources & Reporting
Explore helpful ESG reporting, performance, and policy resources
