Clariant is Sole Chemistry Partner of Umwelt Arena

• Lighthouse project with strong international recognition
• Interactive, multimedia examples of sustainability in daily life
• Company publishes sustainability goals for 2020

Muttenz, August 23, 2012 – Swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant is the only chemical industry partner present at the "Umwelt Arena" (Environment Arena) which opens today in Spreitenbach, Switzerland. In a space of 250 sq.m. at the first Swiss competence center for environmental technology, Clariant shows how chemistry supports modern mankind by making their daily life more comfortable, safe, and environmentally compatible. "Our engagement in the Umwelt Arena is a clear commitment to Switzerland as our corporate domicile and to a singular lighthouse project with international recognition. In the framework of this European pioneer activity, we want to demonstrate that sustainability is an integral part of our corporate policy. Only companies that manage their business sustainably and conduct themselves in a responsible manner can achieve operational success in the long term," says Hariolf Kottmann, Chief Executive Officer.

Clariant has taken another big step forward in its sustainability drive and has, for the first time, published specific environmental targets to be achieved by 2020 in its 2011 sustainability report. Based on reference values for 2005, the following goals have been set: reduction in energy consumption by 30%, direct CO₂ emissions by 45%, direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by 35%, water consumption by 25%, waste-water production by 40% and waste production by 45%. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), an internationally recognized organization for sustainability reporting standards, has examined the sustainability report carefully and awarded it the highest possible A+ rating. In addition, the Swiss Association for Quality and Management Systems (SQS) has audited and confirmed the accuracy of the information published and the claims made.

The Clariant exhibition at the Umwelt Arena

Overview

At five separate stations, Clariant will demonstrate with clear and interactive, multimedia examples how chemistry supports mankind by making their daily life more comfortable, safe, and environmentally compatible.

Velsan® SC, for example, is used in creams, lotions and shampoos. The cathode material Life Power® P2 can be used to make car batteries more powerful, environmentally more compatible, economical to manufacture and safe. Manufactured according to the Clariant sunliquid® procedure, the biofuel cellulose ethanol reduces CO2 emissions by up to 95% compared with gasoline from fossil sources without competing with food production. The non-halogenated flame retardant Exolit® OP provides fire protection for such products as cell phones, computers, music systems and household appliances.

Velsan® SC

Velsan® SC, for example, used in creams, lotions and shampoos, is fully biodegradable, produces no waste, and has Ecocert certification.

Life Power®

At Station 2, we will show how the specific cathode material Life Power® P2 is used to make car batteries in e-mobility solutions powerful, environmentally more compatible, economical to manufacture and extremely safe. The lithium-ion battery recharges much quicker than conventional cells and boasts outstanding durability.

sunliquid®

Station 3 with the unusual heading "Feed your car with straw" illustrates how Clariant's innovative sunliquid® technology can be used to make biofuel while reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 95%. Because it is manufactured from agricultural plant residues such as straw, competition with food and feed production is avoided altogether. A year's worth of cereal straw from the EU countries could help replace a considerable percentage of conventional gasoline with biofuel.

Exolit® OP

The non-halogenated flame retardant Exolit® OP is exhibited at Station 4. Based on organo-phosphorous compounds, it provides fire protection for plastics used in the electrical and electronics sector. Exolit® OP can be found, for example, in cell phones, computers, music systems and household appliances. It works by suppressing the chemical reactions in the flame and has a positive eco-and health profile. Plastics containing Exolit®OP can be recycled simply and effectively.

Licocene®

At Station 5, an interactive game of soccer shows on artificial playing fields the use of the Clariant product Performance Polymer Licocene®. This product gives an artificial surface particularly strong adhesive bonding properties which guarantee many years of quality usage in all weather conditions, a high level of safety, not to mention homogeneous recycling at the end of the surface's useful life.

Reader enquiries

Clariant International Ltd
Rothausstrasse 61
4132 Muttenz 1
Switzerland

+41 61 469 6742

www.clariant.com

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