Our performance

At AkzoNobel, we’re working hard to manage key environmental, social and governance risks and create sustainable value. We’re also constantly on the lookout for ways to speed up sustainable growth to become even more competitive. Our 2007 Sustainability Report explains how we’re doing this. It also looks at the sustainability aspects of our acquisition of ICI.

Here are some of the main points from our 2007 Sustainability Report:

Managing sustainability

We manage our sustainability policy through a governance structure, which includes representation from Board of Management level through to business managers. In each business, key sustainability issues form part of day-to-day planning and are included in the non-financial Letter of Representation.

In 2007, we firmly embedded our sustainability management system in our business cycles and had it reviewed by an external auditor. This played a big part in making us number one on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

Talent management

Developing our people is one of our top priorities. We aim to hire the best talent and continually improve our people’s skills. To do this, we invest in building and maintaining our Talent Factory.

Carbon strategy

Energy efficiency and zero/low-carbon energy consumption are key performance indicators for us. Overall, we have a low carbon energy mix for our power, with 73 percent coming from zero- or low-carbon energy sources. In addition, there’s an increasing demand from our customers for products that reduce their carbon footprint – a new opportunity for our business. Our carbon strategy will be reviewed in 2008.

Creating value from eco-efficient solutions

Around 18 percent of our turnover comes from products that contribute to above-average eco-efficient solutions. This is thanks to better use of raw materials, manufacturing processes and product innovation. These products also help create new business opportunities for us – and our customers. Our aim is to increase the share of products contributing to eco-efficient solutions to at least 22 percent of turnover by 2009, and 30 percent by 2015.

 

Sustainable supply chains

By 2007, over 80 percent of all our suppliers of raw materials had signed our Vendor Policy – covering €4 billion of product-related spend. This policy deals with relevant environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. We’ve also set up a program of visits to key suppliers to encourage dialog on ESG benefits and build better partnerships.