SUSTAINABILITY
consumption in our operations , so we are targeting those areas through programmes that optimise energy , use electrical power where feasible , and diversify our fuel sources to reduce emissions and energy uses .
These efforts include upgrading to LED lighting , replacing inefficient boilers , using on-site renewable energy generation from solar , wind and other cleaner energy sources , and deploying alternative-fuel vehicles powered by electricity , compressed natural gas and liquid natural gas .
Our transportation fleet also relies on the integration of digital technologies such as AI , the Internet of Things , Big Data analytics and telematics for route optimisation . The investment and experience positions us to collaborate with suppliers and customers to reduce emissions throughout the supply chain .
Sustainable resource use is another area ripe for innovation and is driving us to re-engineer our processes in ways that help us to minimise waste and integrate material circularity throughout our operations . Circularity , which aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible by recovering and reusing them at the end of each service life , is critical to maintaining competitive advantage .
For example , isopropyl alcohol , propylene glycol and some metalworking fluids and solvents can be use in manufacturing processes at a very high grade and can be effectively restored to a high grade to be resold . Whist it is not an infinite loop , this is a very efficient closed loop that extends the life of these resources and can be more sustainable and less expensive than making these products from scratch .
The need to develop greener products has opened the door to a new generation of higher quality , naturebased and sustainable products . This brings together our speciality and ingredients expertise , our industry knowledge and our technical capabilities . It includes everything from formulating , prototyping , blending and testing to analysis that helps customers across a wide variety of industries meet growing consumer demand and comply with changing regulations .
Increasingly , our customers turn to us when they have a product or ingredient that can no longer be used because of changes in regulation , because it is on a specific retailer ’ s ‘ Do not use ’ list , or because it has fallen out of favour with environmentally conscious consumers . For this , we tap into our regulatory teams , who work globally across regions and industries , and our scientists and chemists , who can help create sustainable reformulations with the efficacy needed to perform .
This industry specialisation is among our biggest competitive advantages . For example , if a customer in the food business wants to revamp a recipe to reduce the sugar content , boost digestive enzymes or be plant-based , we have food scientists who know the food industry , understand specific consumer demands and sustainability challenges , and can help develop a better solution tailored to them .
We are also tracking industry trends and anticipating market needs . We build nature-based , sustainable formulations even before customers ask for them . As an example , we recently developed a prototype for an air freshener made with high-quality , ethically sourced essential oils and sent it proactively to customers . Several liked it and were interested in further testing for commercialisation .
Bringing clarity
As we take steps to embed a sustainability mindset throughout our own organisation , we also seek to help our customers , suppliers and other stakeholders improve their own sustainability journeys . One way is by bringing more clarity to the market .
While sustainability is here to stay , many rules of the road have yet to be written . For example , there is little
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