Our progress

Sharing our progress and knowledge enables our stakeholders to share in the strength of our product as we continue to drive sustainability in the carbon black industry. Documenting our journey demonstrates our long-term commitments and promotes transparency.

Receiving industry-first certification

We were awarded International Carbon Black Association Gold awards for 12 plants and two research and development laboratories, recognizing our industry-leading safety standards.

In May 2020, we became the first and only global-scale carbon black manufacturer to achieve International Automotive Task Force (IATF) certification for all of our manufacturing sites.

EcoVadis 2021 Gold logo

We received a Gold rating by EcoVadis for the fifth consecutive year.

Global goals

We recognize the importance of aligning with global targets such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, working in collaboration to achieve the greatest impact.

As recent signatories of the UN Global Compact, we are ensuring that our sustainability progress continues to be coordinated at a global level.

Sustainable Development Goals logo

Reaching targets

To meet our vision to be the most respected, sustainable and dynamic global carbon black business, we have set key performance indicators (KPIs) to track our progress towards FY2030.

Business continuity/reputation

Improve our leadership position in terms of carbon black production capacity

FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY30 target
No. 2 No. 2 No. 2 No. 2 No. 1

On track to meet target

Business continuity

Approximately double our annual capital spending against FY2012 baseline to reach $100M

FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY30 target
$54.9M $137.1M $81.9M $92.8M $40.6M† $100M

On track to meet target

  1. † FY2021 capital spending was lower than normal due to the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Ethics

100% of employees to receive Code of our Ethics training

FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY30 target
100% 100% 100% 100% 70%† 100%

Behind schedule

  1. † FY2021 saw a drop in the percentage of our employees receiving Code of Ethics training due to the COVID‑19 pandemic. We were unable to roll out the training to employees with no access to a computer.

Direct CO2 emissions

Reduce our direct CO2 emission intensity (tCO2/tcarbon black) by over 22% against 2005 baseline

FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY30 target
90.1% 92.9% 90.8% 92.4% 92.4% <78.0%

Behind schedule

Energy

Increase our absolute energy conversion efficiency to 80%

FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY30 target
72.6% 72.4% 71.9% 72.8% 70.9% 80.0%

On track to meet target

Water

Reduce our water withdrawal intensity (m3/tcarbon black) by 50% against FY2013 baseline for our sites at high risk† for availability or accessibility of water or those reliant on groundwater

FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY30 target
94% 94% 97% 103% 100% 50%

Behind schedule

  1. † KPI includes Hickok, Cubatão, Gummidipoondi, Alexandria, Weifang and Bahia.

Waste

Repurpose 75% of waste

FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY30 target
20.0% 25.0% 43.0% 60.0% 68.0% 75.0%

On track to meet target

Environment

Record zero environmental releases year on year

FY17 FY18† FY19 FY20 FY21 FY30 target
9 13 8 8 8 0

On track to meet target

  1. † In FY2018, we had two releases of carbon black/feedstock exceeding regulatory reporting limits to soil and one to air. The remaining releases were reported on a voluntary basis to regulatory authorities.

Safety

Zero recordable injuries (report on Total Recordable Incident Rate progress – TRIR)

FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY30 target
0.35 0.45 0.40 0.36 0.32 0.00

On track to meet target

Talent development

100% of Birla Carbon managers to have stated and measured goals set annually

FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY30 target
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Target met and retained

Employee engagement

Remain above the chemical industry benchmark for employee engagement†

FY12 FY14 FY16 FY19 FY30 target
86% 85% 89% 87% >70%

Target met and retained

  1. † This KPI was amended in FY2020 to exclude the results of the Team Vibes survey. It has also been modified to show results for calendar year rather than financial year, in line with Vibes survey timings.

Customer loyalty

Remain above the Net Promoter Score threshold of 35†

FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY30 target
56 55 55 59 64 >35

Target met and retained

  1. † Net Promoter Scores range from -100 to +100.

Community engagement

100% of our facilities to participate in community engagement

FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY30 target
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Target met and retained

Read our FY2021 report for more information, including:

  • A detailed breakdown of our progress and goals to date
  • How we’re contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Always investing in innovation

See how our culture of ingenuity brings sustainable solutions through partnerships and product developments.

Sustainable Operational Excellence

Read about how our sustainability strategy is behind every decision we make, creating shared value and operational excellence.