ECOSYNTHETIX INC
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2014, 2020, 2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2014
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:67.66 tCO2e (Scope 1) + 69.56 tCO2e (Scope 2) = 137.22 tCO2e
Scope 1 Emissions:67.66 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:69.56 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:Not disclosed
Renewable Energy Share:Not disclosed
Total Energy Consumption:Data not explicitly provided, but gas and electricity consumption data were collected.
Water Consumption:Data not explicitly provided
Waste Generated:92.49 tons/year
Carbon Intensity:Not disclosed
ESG Focus Areas
- Planet
- People
- Profit
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced Greenhouse Gas emissions by 67% per kg of EcoSphere used compared to styrene butadiene latex.
- Developed a baseline for gas and electricity energy consumption.
Social Achievements
- Mentored 22 coop students.
- Engaged in Canadian Blood Services' Partners for Life program.
Governance Achievements
- Formed an Eco Green Team to improve sustainability practices.
- Conducted employee engagement survey to identify material sustainability issues.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
- Continue to measure emissions and develop a strategy to reduce them.
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce waste to landfill by 20% in 2015.
- Engage employees in sustainability training and events.
Environmental Challenges
- Significant gap between strategic sustainability thinking and internal business practices.
- High levels of Scope 1 and 2 emissions due to R&D activities.
- Large volumes of hazardous chemical waste generated.
Mitigation Strategies
- Formed an Eco Green Team to implement sustainability initiatives.
- Developed a strategy to reduce emissions.
- Improved diligence around sample preparation to reduce hazardous waste.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier assessments (mentioned, but details lacking)
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
Certifications: ISO 14001 (implied)
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- EcoSphere BioLatex binders
- DuraBind (in development)
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 1 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 2 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 3 Emissions:Not disclosed
Renewable Energy Share:Not disclosed
Total Energy Consumption:Not disclosed
Water Consumption:Not disclosed
Waste Generated:Not disclosed
Carbon Intensity:Not disclosed
ESG Focus Areas
- Sustainability
- Climate Change
- Green Chemistry
Environmental Achievements
- Low carbon footprint biopolymer platform
- Sustainable feedstocks and chemicals
Social Achievements
- Not disclosed
Governance Achievements
- Not disclosed
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Short-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Reduced sales volume, lower pricing, and reduced gross profit due to COVID-19 impacting global demand for paper products and decreased pricing of petroleum-related products.
- Reduced ability to effectively market and trial products due to on-site collaboration limitations caused by COVID-19.
- Potential future impacts of COVID-19 on manufacturing, sourcing, distribution, marketing, sales, and credit risk.
Mitigation Strategies
- Applied for and received government assistance under the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Null
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Engineered biopolymer
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental Stewardship
- Social Responsibility
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Targeted to avoid 100% of carbon emissions associated with business in 2022 (1:1 carbon cover), aiming for 1.5:1 carbon cover by 2027.
- ISO 14001 certified management system.
Social Achievements
- Adopted Diversity Policy to promote diversity and inclusion at all levels, including striving for at least two women nominees on the Board or 30% female representation.
- Commitment to upholding highest employment and labor standards, including human rights, and leading health and safety standards.
Governance Achievements
- Established three board committees: Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominating.
- Adopted policies outlining key principles and rules for board responsibilities, including Diversity Policy, Majority Voting Policy, Corporate Disclosure and Insider Trading Policy, Code of Conduct & Ethics, Anti-Hedging Policy, Share Ownership Policy, and Environmental, Social & Governance Policy.
- Separate, independent Chair and Chief Executive Officer roles.
- Board majority of independent directors.
- Comprehensive Board assessment process, including annual individual & Board performance assessments.
Climate Goals & Targets
Medium-term Goals:
- 1.5:1 carbon cover by 2027
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Sustainable Materials
- Circular Economy
Environmental Achievements
- Use of bio-based glue in IKEA factory, aiming for 30% reduction in climate footprint by FY30 (based on IKEA's 5% glue-related footprint in their value chain).
- CO2 reduction benefits from EcoSynthetix biopolymers versus incumbents (quantified in the presentation, but specific numbers are not consistently presented in a single table).
Social Achievements
- Platinum sustainability rating awarded by EcoVadis (top 1% of 125,000 companies).
Governance Achievements
- Ranked #28 overall by Corporate Knights in 2023 Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada
Climate Goals & Targets
Medium-term Goals:
- Avoid 1.5x of carbon emissions by 2027 (management estimate)
Short-term Goals:
- Building to $100M+ in sales
Environmental Challenges
- Competition in the market.
- Fluctuations in energy costs.
- Dependence on certain customers.
- Inflationary pressures.
- Availability and price of natural feedstocks.
- Agricultural risks impacting crop yields and bio-based materials.
- Risk of litigation with respect to intellectual property.
Mitigation Strategies
- Developing new technologies and products.
- Protecting intellectual property.
- Securing additional government grants.
- Expanding production facilities.
- Diversification strategy across wood composites, personal care, and paper/tissue/packaging markets.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Use of sustainable feedstocks
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and processes
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- DuraBind (wood composite binder)
- SurfLock (tissue strength additive)
- All-natural polymers for personal care (MaizeCare)
Awards & Recognition
- Platinum rating from EcoVadis
- #28 ranking by Corporate Knights