LANXESS Publishes EPD for Synthetic Iron Oxide Pigments

LANXESS has systematically invested over recent decades in improving the carbon footprint of its pigments by implementing sustainable production processes at its manufacturing facilities. With EPD verification of its pigments, the company commits to lifecycle assessments that customers can easily access. Michael Ertl, Head of the Inorganic Pigments (IPG) business unit at LANXESS, said: "Publishing EPDs is a sign of our commitment to setting the highest sustainability standards in the pigment industry." "Our iron oxide pigments under the trusted Bayferrox brand are used worldwide in the construction sector to add color to paints and plastics, as well as concrete building materials," he stated. [caption id="attachment_134803" align="aligncenter"] LANXESS AG[/caption]

In Compliance with International Standards

An EPD describes building materials, products or components in terms of their environmental impact. These declarations are based on lifecycle assessments as well as the functional and technical properties of the item in question. Environmental Product Declarations for LANXESS's Bayferrox pigments are tested by Institut für Bauen und Umwelt eV (IBU), a building product manufacturers association, in accordance with international standards. The IBU program aims to create reliable and comprehensive assessments of the environmental impact of building products in accordance with international DIN standards and includes verification by independent experts.

Sustainability is Critical

IBU General Manager Alexander Röder said: "As a raw material producer, we are very pleased with LANXESS's efforts to provide this transparency at the product level and thus enable its customers in the building products industry to make far more accurate assessments regarding the environmental impacts of their products." EPDs for building materials can help tip the scales in favor of a building when certification is the subject. Because the production process for synthetic iron oxide pigments is very energy-intensive, comparing different products is a worthwhile effort. For this reason, LANXESS has systematically invested in improving the carbon footprint of its pigments over recent decades by implementing sustainable production processes at its manufacturing facilities. As Ertl explained, "With EPD verification of our core products, we are making our commitment to lifecycle assessments visible for our customers to see." LANXESS has assigned sustainability matters directly to the portfolios of Management Board members. This encompasses climate protection and energy, occupational health and safety, environmental protection, products and circular value chains, workforce, corporate culture and transparent reporting on the achievement of sustainability goals. Through the Sustainability Committee, established in 2021, Management Board members make joint decisions on important sustainability projects. "We are very aware of our responsibility to society, which is why sustainability is a guiding principle for our activities. However, it is also increasingly becoming a competitive advantage in enhancing our attractiveness to the capital markets, as well as to customers and talented prospective employees. By changing our incentive systems and structures, LANXESS CEO Matthias Zachert is making sustainability an even more integral part of our company," he said.   Source