In 2020, we made significant progress: We launched our Group’s Purpose, progressed on our ambitious Solvay One Planet roadmap and accelerated our G.R.O.W. strategy. We demonstrated the resilience of our businesses, while supporting our people through the Covid crisis with the launch of the Solvay Solidarity Fund. Here are ten highlights of the year.
1
Stepped up our commitment to reduce emissions
Through Solvay One Planet sustainability roadmap, we will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by 2030 in line with the Paris Agreement. We raised the bar again by committing to the Science Based Targets initiative. We are now engaging with our customers and suppliers to reduce emissions throughout the value chain.
2
Launched Solvay Green Hydrogen Platform
This platform will gather all the innovative material and chemical solutions offered by the Group, like our Aquivion® technology, to advance the emerging hydrogen economy. Clean hydrogen is a key enabler of the global transition towards a zero carbon sustainable energy system.
3
Created Solvay Solidarity Fund to help employees and communities
Launched on April 9, 2020, the Fund provides both financial and non-financial support to Solvay employees and dependents experiencing adversity due to the pandemic. It also supports communities close to Solvay. So far, it has raised €15M and has provided support for 1,600 families worldwide and communities in India and Bulgaria.
4
Introduced two innovations to fight viruses
Actizone™ is a unique cleaning hygiene solution as it destroys over 99.9% of microorganisms including coronaviruses for up to 24 hours. The Group’s new polyamide fiber, Amni® Virus-Bac OFF, “deactivates” viruses such as Covid-19 and eliminates bacteria thanks to a permanent antibacterial additive.
5
Bonded with customers to create circular batteries
As part of our commitment to protecting natural resources, we partnered with Veolia and Renault to create a circular economy consortium that will enable the production of circular electric vehicle batteries. The new solutions, including Solvay’s products that optimize metal extraction and the purification process, promise better resource efficiency while ensuring stable access to raw materials.
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Extended maternity, paternity and co-parent leave
We increased our global maternity leave policy to 16 weeks and extended it to all co-parents employed by the company. This is part of our Solvay Cares benefit program, which provides a minimum level of company social benefits to all employees worldwide.
16
weeks of maternity leave now standard in all Solvay sites globally
7
Inspired interest in STEM for Solvay Citizen Day
Through our 2020 Solvay Citizen Day, our employees participated in a virtual event under the theme of education to foster students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). We created over 250 educational videos, reaching about 190,000 students all over the world.
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Launched One Pulse surveys to enhance employee well-being
When the crisis hit, we initiated Pulse surveys every six weeks to our 23,000 colleagues to enhance their well-being. Through these surveys, we are better able to help employees adapt to the Group’s rapidly changing culture.
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Made mobile working the Group’s global standard
Building on positive feedback about mobile working during the year, Solvay decided to integrate it into the Group’s work standard. Due to the pandemic, about 10,000 employees shifted to remote working since March 2020, among which 70% stated they enjoyed flexible hours and being more productive.
10
Renewed contracts with Boeing and Lockheed Martin
We supply Boeing with composites and adhesives that are used across all their aircraft programs. Our technologies are critical to advancing their innovation in design and manufacturing. We are Lockheed Martin’s principal supplier of high-performance materials for their F-35 military aircraft, the U.S. Department of Defense’s flagship program.
