ACC's 2024 Sustainability Report
Sustainability Starts with Chemistry. Learn how the chemical industry is advancing innovations to drive a more sustainable future.
Driving Safety & Sustainability
For more than a century, chemistry has enabled solutions to some of the world’s most daunting sustainability challenges.
Responsible Care®
ACC, our members and our supply chain partners are driving safety and sustainability through Responsible Care.
Safety & Sustainability Awards
ACC is proud to recognize exemplary performance of ACC member and Responsible Care® Partner companies and employees.
Driving Safety & Sustainability
The chemical industry is advancing safety and sustainability worldwide, through innovations, collaborations and technologies the enhance the health, safety and environmental impacts of our products and operations.
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Sustainability Starts with Chemistry: ACC’s 2024 Sustainability Report
Chemistry is the Science Behind Sustainability. ACC’s inaugural Sustainability Report highlights the actions ACC member companies are taking to combat climate change, enhance water and air quality, innovate sustainability chemistry products, and advance circularity in our products and operations.
Climate
Chemistry is a crucial element in addressing climate change. To combat negative impacts on climate, we will need to work together to develop effective solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
8%
Since 2017, Responsible Care companies have reduced GHG intensity by more than 8 percent.
Water
Water is essential to all life on Earth, and the need for clean, accessible water is as urgent as ever. The chemical industry plays a vital role in developing the products and technologies that enable clean water.
ACC Sustainability Principles
ACC’s Sustainability Principles outline ACC members’ commitment to promote the safe use of chemicals, address environmental impacts of products and operations, go beyond regulatory requirements through Responsible Care, and collaborate with others to fulfill our sustainability commitments.
Responsible Care®
For over 35 years Responsible Care® has helped companies operate with safety, health and environmental protection top of mind. As we continue to innovate and grow, the American Chemistry Council and our members are taking action to drive performance and progress.
3X
Better worker safety rate from Responsible Care companies than the business of chemistry overall
25%
Decrease in distribution incidents by Responsible Care companies since 2017
4X
Better worker safety rate from Responsible Care companies than the U.S. manufacturing sector as a whole
17%
Reduction in recordable injury and illness rates for employees since 2017
Community Engagement
ACC members work with community partners to support and create programs to advance social and economic stability and prosperity. In fact, Responsible Care companies participate in nearly 250 Community Advisory Panels across 35 states and support local organizations through volunteerism, charitable donations, and economic development.
35
States across the U.S. have active Community Advisory Panels.
Product Safety
Safety is a top priority for ACC and our members. In fact, Responsible Care companies have a worker safety rate that is four times better than the U.S. manufacturing sector as a whole, and three times better than the business of chemistry overall.
Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI)
FOSSI provides scholarships to students pursuing STEM degrees at HBCUs and connects these students to internships, leadership development, and mentoring opportunities at participating companies.
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Diversity & Inclusion
Diversity of people and perspective is critical to continued innovation and progress. Through programs like the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative and the Advancing Diversity in Emerging Leaders program, ACC and our members are building a pipeline of diverse talent and future leaders ready to solve the world’s greatest challenges.
FOSSI by the Numbers
$40M
raised by over 80 corporate sponsors
800+
scholarships funded
~600
scholarships awarded to date
Sustainable Chemistry & Innovation
Chemistry plays an essential role in the products and technologies we use every day. ACC members are innovating to create new chemical products that enhance safety and sustainability, both in their manufacture and end use.
Circularity
ACC and its members support the pursuit of a more Circular Economy that prioritizes resource conservation and efficiency, design innovations that enable longer product lifespans, and reuse, recycling and recovery technologies that capture the greatest value from discarded materials.
Air Quality
Air quality is a top priority for residents in communities where the chemical industry operates. ACC members are working to reduce air emissions associated with chemical manufacturing and to be transparent about their progress.
Responsible Care & Sustainability Leadership Awards
ACC’s Responsible Care Awards and Sustainability Leadership Awards highlight exemplary industry safety and sustainability performance.