Your CSR ambition has never been stronger and more visible. How is Arkema progressing?
In 2021, we were very active in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility. It is at the heart of our strategy and our employees’ priorities. For example, we have considerably expanded our portfolio sustainability assessment program, which measures the percentage of sales that contribute significantly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Secondly, we have accelerated our initiatives for a circular economy by increasing the share of revenue covered by a lifecycle analysis. Last year we acquired Agiplast, a high-performance polymer recycling specialist and a long-standing partner of Arkema. Furthermore, in line with the announcement at the beginning of 2020 of an ambitious climate plan to reduce the Group’s greenhouse gases by 38% by 2030 compared to our 2015 baseline, we had already reduced our emissions by 34% at the end of 2021. We are thrilled to see these achievements and this progress being recognized: we are now included in the CAC 40 ESG Index, which features the 40 largest companies listed in Paris with the best ESG practices. We have improved our ranking from 6th to 3rd place out of the 114 DJSI World chemical companies and have also consolidated our strong rankings from many non-financial rating agencies.
This year, you incorporated the concept of inclusion in Arkema's values. Why?
Since its initial public offering in 2006, the Group has been built on a foundation of
strong values - solidarity, performance, simplicity and empowerment - that shape our corporate culture. These are not empty words for us, these values underpin our human relationships, our management, and of course our development. In 2021, I wanted to add the value of inclusion to these four historical values. For me, the company has an important social role to play and inclusion is key because it recognizes the importance of tolerance, acceptance of difference, and the value of diversity. Everyone must feel that they have a place at Arkema, regardless of their origin, gender or profile. Diversity and inclusion go hand in hand, and Arkema must be exemplary in this area in order to realize its ambitions and reach its full potential.
If you were to give a candidate two reasons for joining the Arkema adventure, what would they be?
We are an international company whose growth is based primarily on sustainable innovation and which addresses outstanding human, industrial, commercial and environmental challenges. The Group’s culture is based on authentic values and our employees are convinced of the strength of our vision and strategy, as evidenced by our regular engagement surveys. We offer a respectful, stimulating work environment and varied and empowering career paths. We are a company where employees feel good and give the best of themselves, as illustrated by the Group’s growth over the past 15 years.
If I were talking to a candidate, I would simply say: Join us, we will help you grow, and channel your talent and enthusiasm into an exciting project, based on our belief in the need for a sustainable world.
