Sustainability

Sustainability is gaining prominence in response to the acceleration of global warming and increasing environmental concerns regarding plastic usage. Consequently, two predominant trends in our markets are decarbonization and the circular economy, and Saint-Gobain Industrial & Consumer Solutions (ICS) is actively working to address these issues.

Akron, OH

Sustainability Spotlight

Everyday, our employees engage in activities to reduce the carbon footprint of our manufacturing facilities. Committed employees like Emily Ambrose, an Environment, Health and Safety Manager in Akron, Ohio. With a passion for sustainability, Emily works tirelessly to reduce the site's energy usage, recycle waste, and close the loop on water usage.

There are three scopes that represent distinct categories of emissions that must be addressed to reduce carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. For Saint-Gobain ICS, our Scope 1 is relatively low compared to Scope 2 and Scope 3—however, improvements are being made in each category.

Scope 1

Covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, such as emissions associated with fuel combustion in boilers, furnaces, and vehicles.

Scope 2

Covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling consumed by the reporting company.

Scope 3

Includes all other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain.

Scope 2

Saint-Gobain North America (United States and Canada) has entered into two virtual power purchase agreements (vPPA) in 2020 (Invenergy) and 2022 (TotalEnergies) totaling 320 megawatts (MW) of green electricity. The two projects combined are expected to represent a 62% reduction in Saint-Gobain North America’s scope 2 emissions over the next 10 years, effective. The second PPA will be active as of end 2024.
Our Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Isofluor site, located in Neuss, Germany, is benefiting from a framework agreement for Germany and Austria to purchase 100% green electricity. The building is heated with geothermal energy.

Scope 3

Saint-Gobain ICS has begun quantifying the broader emissions related to the life cycle of its products and services. We aim to provide accurate and thorough emissions data in support of our customers’ carbon accounting requirements.
In 2023, Saint-Gobain ICS launched new initiatives to maximize the re-use of materials, when it’s possible, while ensuring the exact same performances for our customers.
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics France and ZenRide associate to propose a solution of rental bikes to their employees to reduce CO2 emissions due to employee commuting.
Saint-Gobain ICS is localizing our production sites, which will help to reduce the footprint coming from transportation, among other benefits. Recently, new extrusion lines have been installed at our Saint-Quentin Fallavier, France site to serve the European market with Tygon® products.

Saint-Gobain ICS intends to explore eco-innovation in our product development for weight optimization, reduced packaging, extended shelf life, and so many other paths to promote sustainability in the future.

We take an innovative approach to developing concrete initiatives with our customers, such as collaborative projects on environmental performance. From easing carbon accountability and providing transparency on our products, to detailing our CSR approach among others, we are ready to identify common initiatives to launch collaboratively.

Contact us to learn more about our sustainability efforts or for information on a specific project linked to sustainability.

Collaborating With Our Customers