Chemistry and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
At the first United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi, ministers concluded that the post-2015 sustainable development agenda should fully integrate “the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in a coherent, holistic, comprehensive and balanced manner.” The global chemical industry is uniquely positioned to help deliver on the promise of an integrated approach to sustainable development through the creation of products that improve people’s lives and our actions to enhance sustainability and the safe management of chemicals.
OUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The capacity to produce and use chemicals safely continues to be recognized for its role in driving progress across all three dimensions of sustainable development – environmental, social and economic. By helping to develop product stewardship best practices around the world through initiatives like Responsible Care® and the Global Product Strategy, ICCA and our members continue to lay a foundation for environmental health, social equity and economic growth in the countries that need it most. In addition, the innovations and business opportunities that sound chemicals management makes possible further reinforce chemistry’s role in advancing environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development.
Enhancing Environmental Health and Sustainability
The chemical industry contributes to environmental health and sustainability by helping to create the products that make sustainability possible while championing industry-led performance initiatives designed to improve product stewardship and enhance the environmental performance of chemical companies around the globe.
Increasing Social Equity And Wellbeing
Chemistry plays a vital role in the creation of ground-breaking products and technologies that support social justice and improve health and wellbeing, including safe drinking water, a healthy and abundant food supply, and access to new medical breakthroughs that can help prevent and treat infectious diseases, enabling people to live longer, healthier lives.
Driving Economic Growth and Prosperity
More than 95 percent of all manufactured goods are touched by chemistry, making the capacity to produce and use chemicals safely and sustainably essential to innovation. By helping to develop product stewardship around the world, ICCA continues to create the capacity for innovation and economic growth in the countries that need it most.
Enhancing Environmental Health and Sustainability
The chemical industry contributes to environmental health and sustainability by championing industry-led performance initiatives designed to improve product stewardship and enhance the environmental performance of chemical companies around the globe. We’re also hard at work creating the products that help make sustainability possible.
The Chemistry of Social Equity and Wellbeing
Chemistry plays a vital role in the creation of ground-breaking products and technologies that support social justice and improve health and wellbeing, including safe drinking water, a healthy and abundant food supply, and access to new medical breakthroughs that can help prevent and treat infectious diseases, enabling people to live longer, healthier lives.
The Chemistry of Economic Growth and Prosperity
More than 95 percent of all manufactured goods are touched by chemistry, making the capacity to produce and use chemicals safely and sustainably essential to innovation. By helping to develop product stewardship around the world, ICCA continues to create the capacity for innovation and economic growth in the countries that need it most.
100 Ways: Sustainable Development Video Hub
ICCA has compiled more than 100 videos illustrating some of the many ways in which the global chemical industry contributes to sustainable development, including improving health and wellbeing, increasing energy efficiency, building sustainable cities and sustainable economies, enhancing product safety and stewardship, and supporting learning and education.

Innovations for Greenhouse Gas Reductions
Capacity Building, Energy & Climate, Energy & Environment, Events, Global Product Strategy, Greatest Hits, Health & Wellbeing, Learning & Education, Product Safety & Stewardship, Progress Reports, Responsible Care, Responsible Care Global Charter, Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainable Economies
Innovations for Greenhouse Gas Reductions
Capacity Building, Energy & Climate, Energy & Environment, Events, Global Product Strategy, Greatest Hits, Health & Wellbeing, Learning & Education, Product Safety & Stewardship, Progress Reports, Responsible Care, Responsible Care Global Charter, Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainable Economies
Solvay Video: Solvay products on board Solar Impulse
Greatest Hits
Solvay provides 15 innovative products applied in more than 6,000 parts that help harvest and store energy, optimize fuel consumption and lightweight the Solar Impulse plane. Moreover, it supplies the structural adhesives and pre-impregnated fibres used to build the wing spars and rear stabilizer parts, also of the first Solar […]
BASF Ultrafiltration Membrane for Water Treatment
Greatest Hits
Bright sunshine, a cloudless sky: beautifully sunny weather draws millions of holidaymakers to the island of Cyprus every year. Nevertheless, the hot, dry climate brings difficulties of its own. Water is a scarce commodity in Cyprus and the country is seeking sustainable solutions to address the problem. The BASF subsidiary […]
The Power of Clean Water | P&G #PowerofClean
Greatest Hits
P&G brands have been in the business of cleaning for 178 years. More than a decade ago, P&G scientists developed a powdered cleaning technology that transforms dirty water into clean drinking water. The non-profit P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program shares the power of clean water with children and families […]
Eastman Video: Little packages of happiness (HydroPack)
Greatest Hits, Health & Wellbeing
It’s called the HydroPack™ – a paper-thin pouch that overnight can turn dirty water into a flavored, healthy drink. Developed by Hydration Technology Innovations (HTI), the HydroPack™ uses a membrane made from Eastman cellulose acetate that is the heart of HTI’s proprietary Forward Osmosis technology. In the hands of children […]
Dow Chemical Video: Flexible Packaging Solutions for Food
Greatest Hits, Health & Wellbeing
With busy lifestyles and a growing urban population comes an increase in demand for food that is fresh, healthy, and convenient. Increasing food production efficiency and addressing waste has become a major priority, and Dow is committed to developing innovative flexible packaging solutions that address these challenges.
AkzoNobel Video: Paint that keeps you cool
Greatest Hits, Sustainable Cities
In some parts of the world, temperatures above 40 degree Celsius in the summer are common. That means even a thick-walled building will heat up like an oven, and air conditioners work overtime. AkzoNobel Decorative Paints has developed exterior wall paints that reflect more infrared light to reduce heat absorption […]
AkzoNobel Video: Making cities more human
Greatest Hits, Sustainable Cities
Rapid population growth is putting big demands on our cities. That’s why AkzoNobel has launched its Human Cities initiative – to help urban areas become more inspiring, energizing and vibrant for people across the world.

Solvay Video: Amni Soul Eco: perfect harmony between fashion and the environment
Energy & Environment, Greatest Hits
Have you ever heard of “smart yarns”? Amni Soul Eco is the first biodegradable polyamide fiber in the world. Developed by Rhodia, the Brazilian branch of Solvay, we the fiber is estimated to biodegrade 100% in the landfill environment after 28 months.

Sasol Video: Sasol building sustainable housing with eco-friendly building materials
Energy & Environment, Greatest Hits
Sasol is creating environmentally friendly living spaces by building houses with eco-friendly building materials. These materials are made from the waste product left after burning coal – a fly ash and patent polymer mixture. The houses build in Cosmo City, South Africa are faster to build, just as strong as […]

DuPont Video: Economic Growth in Africa – “The Continental Shift”
Greatest Hits, Sustainable Economies
Africa faces a host of unique and daunting challenges. DuPont is working with others to help find life-changing, science-based solutions that will enhance economic growth in Africa.

DuPont Video: Adding Value to Turkey’s Exports – “Port of Opportunity”
Greatest Hits, Sustainable Economies
DuPont is helping increase Turkey’s competitiveness on the global stage through scientific innovation. Companies like PMS Medikal, Teklas and Merko are collaborating with DuPont and adding value to Turkey’s exports with enhancements to their products and solutions.
ExxonMobil Video: Our safety journey
Greatest Hits, Product Safety & Stewardship
“Nobody gets hurt” is not a slogan. It’s something ExxonMobil absolutely believes. In collaboration with other industry leaders, ExxonMobil is working to improve its understanding of ways to prevent fatalities and life-altering injuries more effectively.