Arkema, the global leader in Specialty Materials, announced to further deepen its local CSR activities and upgrade its CSR brand in China. Guided by a brand-new theme – Green Life for a Sustainable Future – the company will proactively pursue and develop local CSR efforts across the board, and broaden stakeholders’ outreach to mobilize participation.
On March 13, under the call of a new theme, Arkema returned to school and held the opening ceremony of "ChemArt Green Innovation Class" at Fengwu Primary School in Luxi County, Yunnan Province. Leaders of Luxi County, Julie Zhang, President of Arkema Greater China, and Tan Hua, Vice President of Human Resources and Communication of Arkema Greater China, attended the ceremony and witnessed the launch of the "ChemArt Green Innovation Class" together with staff volunteers, teachers and students of the school.
Arkema launched "ChemArt Green Innovation Class" in Luxi County, Yunnan Province
“CSR sits at the heart of our strategy,” said Julie Zhang, President of Arkema Greater China. “Here at Arkema, we are fully committed to supporting the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals and our efforts remain focused on addressing the different challenges society faces today. In 2021, the Group unveiled a new corporate positioning and brand identity, which has brought us all together under a clear vision of creating ‘Innovative Materials for a Sustainable World’. Ever since, we have gone from strength to strength in this area as we work toward realizing the vision and will continue to reinforce our CSR efforts accordingly to help shape a greener and more sustainable society.”
Promoting Students’ All-Round Development with Various Classes
Since the "ChemArt Green Innovation Class" was launched in 2016, the project has officially entered its eighth year. Through this long-term local corporate social responsibility program, Arkema has sent love and care to students from Lufeng School in Zhangjiagang City, Limin Road and Zhenhua Road Primary Schools in Hengshui City, Hebei Province, Baishiyan Primary School in Baizhi Village, Mengzi City, Honghe Hanizu Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and Taiping Primary School in Zhaihao Town, Rongjiang County, Guizhou Province.
This time in Luxi, Yunnan, Arkema will adhere to the new theme of "Green Life for a Sustainable Future", and add five new "ChemArt Green Innovation Class" to provide long-term supplementary education activities for Fengwu Primary School, Central Primary School, Shuitang Primary School, Dashuitang Primary School and Linshu Primary School. According to the characteristics of each school, volunteers also designed more diversified interactive courses, focusing on innovation, safety, environmental protection and other themes, to convey the knowledge of sustainable development to students.
Volunteers of Arkema led students to explore the world of science
"It is very special for us to start our school activities again. This activity is another extension of Arkema's long-term local corporate social responsibility program ‘ChemArt Green Innovation Class’ in Yunnan. We will actively carry out long-term supplementary education activities according to the practical needs of five schools to help students develop in an all-round way." said Ms. Alan Tan, Vice President of Human Resources & Communication of Arkema Greater China. "This is our first event after upgrading our local CSR brand. It also represents an opportunity for us to continue to work hard on the path of fully implementing corporate social responsibility and contributing to sustainable development in China."
After full communication, Arkema has also donated printers and test paper to 11 schools in Luxi, and provided 30 recycled computers to help improve the basic teaching facilities in each school, making learning easier and more comprehensive for children and broadening their horizons.
Volunteers of Arkema took photos with children
Boosting Circular Economy with Innovative Materials
The theme of "Green Life for a Sustainable Future" further clarifies Arkema's commitment to focus on innovative materials. Harnessing the combined strength of the company’s R&D capabilities and its open innovation strategy, Arkema continues to provide customers with pioneering and sustainable solutions. Among them are high-performance special polyamide brands such as Rilsan® and Pebax®. Made from renewable raw materials, they have been widely adopted by a number of sectors including additive manufacturing (3D Printing), transportation, consumer electronics and footwear.
Arkema’s bio-circular concept, which is summarized as ABC (Advanced, Bio-based and Circular) currently informs the company’s innovation and growth policy for high-performance polymers. This has led to the development of a product series that uses castor oil as the raw material as well as the formation of a completely bio-based supply chain that is both unique and circular. Arkema is now in the process of establishing a site in Changshu for the production of Rilsan® PA11, which will be made from 100% renewable raw materials. This will be key to meeting the Asia market’s growing demands for advanced bio-circular materials.
Creating a sustainable future through energy efficiency and emission reduction
It is worth mentioning that all factories of Arkema China are taking proactive and considered steps to reduce carbon emissions, which are enabled by technological innovation, process improvement and green energy substitution. These measures will enable Arkema to deliver on its commitment to "Sustainable Future" and support the Group’s the climate plan announced in 2022. Based on an SBT (Science Based Target) approach, to reduce its scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and its scope 3 emissions by 46% by 2030 relative to 2019.
At the Arkema Changshu R&D Center, ongoing work is being carried out in collaboration with the Akila digital twin platform to help implement Arkema’s decarbonization strategy and “Arkema Energy” power efficiency program in China. The project will start by focusing on the optimization of the building’s HVAC system so to increase overall energy efficiency. Moreover, since its launch to support environmental protection, Arkema has maintained sustained support for its circular economy project with a focus on optimizing solid waste management. Over the years, the Company has continued reducing the amount of waste generated by operations, whilst increasing efforts in recycling materials and energy.
The upgrade of the CSR brand in China is another expansion in the process of exploring sustainable development strategy after Arkema announced its new positioning and strategy. Looking ahead, Arkema will continue to push for progress so to fulfill its CSR commitments and help deliver its ambition to create a more sustainable future.