Public policy dialog

Nowadays, companies are playing an increasingly active role in society, including in the development of laws, rules and policy documents that support sustainable growth and innovation. Businesses are often consulted and asked to participate in such activities. Clariant believes that it is important to be part of such policy dialog and aims to contribute and give input where relevant, it can, in line with the company’s strategy and business objectives, in order to shape policy-development.

As a responsible corporate actor, Clariant aims to ensure open, honest and transparent dialog and communication with politicians, authorities, business associations, as well as non-government organizations, in a number of relevant policy areas including:

 

• Chemicals regulations
• Climate Change
• Energy Transition
• The Bio and Circular Economy
• Sustainable Production and Consumption
• Industrial Trade and Innovation policies

Guidelines for lobbying and political communication

Clariant commits itself to ethical and sustainable operations and development in all business activities according to its Code of Ethics. The company engages in an open, trustful and constructive manner. Clariant has adopted and strictly abides by several guidelines to fulfill such commitments.

In accordance with our Code of Ethics we are also committed to complying in every respect with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws. Clariant’s "Anti Bribery and Corruption Policy" establishes detailed rules for employees’ interactions with public officials, political advisors, as well as on charitable contributions and political donations. According to our policies, donations or contributions to political parties are forbidden. Accordingly, Clariant did not render donations to parties, politicians or related organizations in 2024.

Finally, Clariant also openly discloses information about its fields of interest and the scope of public affairs activities in the “Transparency Register of the European Union”.

Clariant memberships governance: Alignment of external engagement with global environmental commitments

In 2025, Clariant initiated a process to assess and engage with its external memberships and trade associations to ensure alignment with sustainability strategy. Clariant supports external organizations through membership fees and which may advocate on our behalf on issues relevant to Clariant’s business and sustainability strategies—including climate, forests and biodiversity, and water-related topics.

The aim is to ensure consistency between Clariant’s external engagement activities and its sustainability commitments, while also raising ambition across the broader business landscape by informing and influencing high-impact organizations.

A cross-functional team—led by Global Government Affairs, Sustainability Affairs, and Legal—carried out the screening process and defined a long-term approach in close collaboration with other corporate functions and Business Units.

During the pilot phase, Clariant conducted an initial review of the positions held by selected key associations (the top 30 memberships globally, representing 90% of Clariant’s total membership spend). The objective was to assess the availability and consistency of these organizations’ stances on climate, biodiversity, and water-related matters. Specifically, Clariant evaluated whether their positions align with the goals and scenarios of the following international environmental agreements:

• the UN Paris Agreement (Climate Change),
• the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Forests and Biodiversity), and
• Sustainable Development Goal 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation (Water)

If an association’s position on an issue that is core to Clariant’s commitments, positions, or values is found to be inconsistent, Clariant increases its engagement with the association—either to improve alignment or to request that the organization cease advocating against Clariant’s interests or values. If no resolution can be reached, a comprehensive evaluation of the association’s performance, stance, and overall value is conducted. Based on this, a decision is made regarding the continuation of Clariant’s membership.

Additionally, under Clariant internal Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Memberships Governance regarding Trade Associations and other Lobbying organizations, any new memberships must undergo a similar evaluation. This includes a checklist that specifically requires assessing alignment with Clariant’s environmental and sustainability commitments prior to joining.

The first screening revealed that the assessed organizations were able to provide sufficient information regarding their positions on the referenced global environmental treaties—or had taken steps to develop such positions.

Memberships in trade associations and other advocacy forums

The engagement of Clariant representatives in trade associations and other platforms supports strategic alignment across the industry and provides an opportunity for exchange on industry perspectives and best practices.

Clariant is a member of several trade associations both at international level ,regional ,national and local level.
Clariant’s most significant memberships include the following organizations:

Global associations:

• International Council of Chemical Associations – ICCA

Regional / EU-level associations:

• CEFIC, the European Chemical Industry Council

National associations, Business Federations:

• ScienceIndustries, the Swiss Business Association for Chemistry, Pharma, and Life Sciences
• American Chemistry Council (ACC) in the USA
• Association of International Chemical Manufacturers (AICM) in China
• ABIQUIM in Brazil
• Verband der Chemischen Industrie (VCI) in Germany

Alliances, Sustainability-driven Organizations and other Fora:

• RCI, Renewable Carbon Initiative
• AFCC, Alternative Fuels and Chemicals Coalition
• PCEP, Polyolefins Circular Economy Platform
• RLCF Alliance, Renewable and Low Carbon Fuels
• WBCSD, World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Finally, Clariant is also proud to support scientific and research organizations such as SUSCHEM, the European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry, or Change Chemistry in the United States, a reflection of our strong commitment to developing the next generation of sustainability chemistry solutions.

Internal Governance

Clariant Advocacy strategy is coordinated by a cross functional team led by global Government Affairs and including Product Stewardship, and Sustainability Transformation, reporting to the Chief Strategy and Technology Officer. Clariant also has topic specific steering groups where legislative and regulatory matters are discussed, and advocacy activities are steered. Regulatory and legislative developments are regularly reviewed in the group’s Innovation and Sustainability Meeting (ISM).

If an association’s position on an issue that is core to Clariant fundamentally deviates from the company’s position or our principles, values and sustainability commitments, Clariant amplifies its engagement in that association to improve alignment or to demand that the association stops advocating against our interests or our values and principles. Based on this, a decision is taken on the future of our membership in this association.