Sensient Technologies Corporation
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:212,061 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:156,567 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:55,494 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:Approximately 1%
Total Energy Consumption:Approximately 3,058,000 GJ
Water Consumption:3,488,278 m3/year
Waste Generated:46,656 tons/year (non-hazardous); 553 tons/year (hazardous)
Carbon Intensity:Reduced carbon intensity of scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions (over revenue) from 0.158 to 0.146
ESG Focus Areas
- Decarbonization
- Water Stewardship
- Waste Reduction
- Sustainable Supply Chain
- Sustainable Product Design
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced carbon intensity of scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions (over revenue) from 0.158 to 0.146
- Reduced total water withdrawal globally from 3.83 million m3 to 3.49 million m3
- Increased average landfill diversion to 72.9%
- Three of 32 manufacturing facilities have solar panels; seven more are in the process of implementation; six more procure energy from a grid that is 85% or more renewable.
Social Achievements
- Continued inclusive hiring practices; no violations of freedom of association or collective bargaining.
- Zero confirmed violations of the Sensient Code of Conduct resulted in termination.
- Donated over $690,000 to children’s health care, education, and other worthy causes through the Sensient Foundation.
- Over 230 Sensient employees participated in various tree planting and natural preservation events worldwide, resulting in the planting of more than 400 trees.
Governance Achievements
- Board of Directors oversees Company’s Human Capital Management program, including measures to support employees’ right to exercise freedom of association and collective bargaining.
- Updated and implemented robust policies and compliance programs to address various areas of legal and regulatory risks.
- Implemented a sustainability-related performance metric into compensation incentive structure for certain key business leadership.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Utilize point-of-emission carbon capture technology (when commercially available).
- Reduce carbon intensity of scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 (Baseline 2020)
- Reduce overall water withdrawal by 30% by 2030 (Baseline 2020)
- Reduce water withdrawal intensity by 30% in areas categorized as having high or extremely high water stress levels by 2030 (Baseline 2020)
- Increase average landfill diversion to 75% by 2030
Medium-term Goals:
- Electrify fuel-powered equipment where technologically and financially feasible.
- Increase share of electrical power consumed from renewable sources when available and cost-effective.
- Collect auditable sustainability data and perform assessments on the suppliers that represent between 75-90% of our total spend by 2030.
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce scope 1 emissions through equipment and production efficiency improvements; aim for at least 30% reduction by 2030.
- Develop a formal internal emissions accounting policy and begin the assessment of scope 3 emissions.
Environmental Challenges
- Challenges in reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to reliance on gas-powered dryers and dependence on developments outside of Sensient's control (e.g., electric dryers, renewable power grid, carbon capture technology).
- Increased compliance and reporting costs due to new regulations (e.g., EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, California’s climate bills, SEC regulations).
- Water stress in certain regions impacting water withdrawal.
- Supply chain disruptions and risks related to raw material sourcing (e.g., palm oil, mica).
Mitigation Strategies
- Improving efficiency of gas-powered dryers, rationalizing production processes, redesigning products, working with FDA to certify liquid products.
- Investing in energy-efficient and electrified production equipment as technology becomes available and cost-effective.
- Sourcing power from sustainable sources where financially and physically feasible.
- Implementing water stewardship practices, conducting water consumption audits, increasing water reuse and recycling.
- Implementing a Supplier Code of Conduct, conducting supplier audits, engaging with suppliers on sustainability initiatives, developing sustainable and environmentally friendly natural color options that do not require palm oil-based products, and participating in the Responsible Mica Initiative.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: More than half of our sites, representing approximately 91% of our annual production volume, have been subject to human rights reviews following the SMETA principles.
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Sustainability Questionnaire
- Vendor screening and prioritization
- Raw material risk assessment
- Traceability program
- Seed-to-Shelf program
- CertaSure certification program
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Acute physical risks (e.g., disruptions or delays in production or supply chain due to extreme weather events)
- Chronic physical risks (e.g., sustained higher temperatures, changing precipitation patterns impacting raw material sources)
Transition Risks
- Market disruptions and changes in consumer behavior
- Changes in current and emerging regulations
- Transition to lower emission technology (higher costs, decreased production capacity)
Opportunities
- Resource efficiency improvements
- Procuring renewable energy from the grid
- Installing on-site renewables
- Developing low-carbon products and services
- Reputational benefits and market opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: SASB, TCFD
Certifications: Rainforest Alliance Certified (two sites)
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- COVABSORB® NATURE GP
- VEGETABLE CHARCOAL PN94™
- ALOE SURFACE TREATMENT
- OUR NATPURE® PRODUCT LINE
- Bloomgenix® Biostimulants
- Avalanche® and Avalanche® Xtra portfolios
- SensiOpt White™ range
- Sensifeel™ range
- TrueBoost™ flavoring
- SensaSalt® solutions
- All-Purpose Sweet Solutions (APSS)
Awards & Recognition
- Sensient Cosmetic Technologies rated “Gold” by EcoVadis in 2023.