Sustainability at Cognis

High-performance products based on natural raw materials
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemical products and has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability. Our more than 160 years of experience in specialty chemistry based on natural, renewable raw materials mean that we are one of the most competent specialty chemical companies in the chemicals industry operating in this domain.

Meeting the increasing special demands expressed by consumers, retail chains, governmental agencies and public authorities

Cognis meets the demand for improved environmental protection and sustainable development with environmentally sound and high-performance products based on natural raw materials. We also deliver on increasingly sought attributes such as "natural" and "biodegradable". In adopting this approach, Cognis is able to offer its customers competitive advantages, more efficient production processes and the possibility of effectively replacing harmful substances.

Milestones of sustainable development

2009	Development and introduction of the Supplier Evaluation Management (SEM) system to assess and improve suppliers’ performance on key sustainability indicators. Launch of this sustainability portal, enabling all interested parties worldwide to gain insights into the company’s activities in the area of sustainability
2008	Consolidated stance on sustainability: Cognis adopts the 24 Principles of Green Chemistry and Green Engineering as the compass guiding new product development work.
2007	Cognis publishes key sustainability objectives. For example, by 2012, all environmentally relevant indicators are to be reduced by 25% of their 2002 level. more
2006	Launch of the Energy Master Plan, a top-down initiative to enable Cognis to further improve energy effiency.
2005	Establishment of the Global Process Safety Team with the remit to take process safety and reliability to a new level.
2004	Cognis becomes a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
2003	Cognis develops Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for products in the fields of cosmetics, dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals.
	Opening of the Cognis College as a platform for employee development within the company.
2002	We rewrite our Corporate SHEQ, at the same time appointing dedicated SHEQ managers.
	The Infrastructure Master Plan comes into force, setting new efficiency targets. Optimization of production processes is linked to investment in advanced technologies.
	Appearance of the first Cognis Sustainability Report.
2001	Cognis is the first specialty chemicals manufacturer to obtain worldwide matrix registration to ISO 9001 (quality) and   ISO 14001 (environment).
1999	Specialty chemicals manufacturer Cognis is formed from the Chemical Products division of Henkel KGaA. The new company commits to the principles of sustainable development.