Stahl’s road to responsible chemistry started in 1978 with the launch of our first water-based leather finishing product. Since then, and over the last 20 years in particular, we have defined Responsible Chemistry and ushered it into our industry. Using our expertise to improve the performance of existing materials and productionize breakout ones, like fruit textiles, for example, that are even more sustainable. But we recognize there are more opportunities to do more. And that starts with our supply chain and the journey our products undergo from raw material to end of life.
Our vision on responsible chemistry
As a company, we are actively trying to replace petrochemicals with renewable resources. But our road to responsible chemistry doesn’t end there. From a sustainability viewpoint, it is equally important to look at what happens when the products we help to make reach the end of their respective roads. We focus on three priorities to improve our environmental footprint and that of our customers:
Using biotechnology to replace non-renewable resources
Using waste and recycled content contributing to circularity
Using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology, we measure the impact of a product on the environment over the course of its life.
Stahl’s 12 Principles of Responsible Chemistry
Our 12 Principles of Responsible Chemistry provide guidelines for the things we do.
| Green Chemistry Principles | Explanation |
|---|---|
Resource efficiency | We take care of the resources we use. Where possible, we avoid using limited, finite feedstock. Renewable/CO2/Waste2Chemicals and recycled feedstock |
| Atom efficiency | We focus on creating chemical solutions with a high atom efficiency. |
| Decarbonization of energy | We support energy decarbonization by using energy efficient operations and renewable energy where possible. |
| Water management | We focus on responsible water usage and effluent outflow by us and our customers, so reducing the global pressure on water demand. |
| Waste management | We understand the economic, social and environmental benefits of reducing waste, and the possibilities to assign value to waste as a resource for energy and new materials. |
| Best available technology | We strive to use the best available technology in respect to sustainability/circularity. |
| Support innovation | We love innovation because we love to change and make our world better, step by step. We are flexible and open minded. |
| Share knowledge (educate) and work together | We are a knowledge-based company. We work together, share knowledge and celebrate our successes. |
| Safety, health and the environment | Our chemical solutions and processes ensure that the risks of exposure to hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals and emissions are kept to a minimum for our employees, customers and the environment |
| Matching chemistry | We focus on understanding the whole value chain of our products – including recycling, composting – and so matching usage with end-of-life. |
| Product stewardship | We promote services over the full life cycle of a product rather than products alone, drive chemical leasing, and promote efficiency over production rate. |
| Measure and assess | We make smart decisions by using standardized methodologies to measure the impact of our products and processes on health, safety and the environment (LCA, ISO, ASTM 6866, EPD, VDA, etc.). |
Meet our Green Chemists
Within Stahl, every employee contributes to responsible chemistry in their own way, so reducing the impact of Stahl on the environment. In addition, we appoint dedicated ‘Green Chemists’ who devote their passion and knowledge to helping our customers find the perfect, responsible solutions that will make their businesses future-ready in respect to sourcing and end-of-life.