Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value biobased products derived from pine chemicals, has unveiled a comprehensive new suite of long-term sustainability goals. These ambitious 2032 targets, which build upon the company's established record of environmental stewardship, focus on substantial reductions in carbon emissions, water consumption and waste generation. This initiative underscores Kraton's strategic commitment to fostering a sustainable business that delivers lasting value.

The new objectives were formulated following an extensive internal assessment of emissions and resource efficiency. This detailed evaluation included energy audits and site-specific reviews of water and waste, resulting in a robust framework designed to solidify Kraton's position as a leader in the transition toward a low-carbon and resource-conscious economy. By 2032, the company aims to achieve a 30 percent absolute reduction in its direct and indirect (Scope 1 & 2) greenhouse gas emissions, alongside a 30 percent intensity reduction in emissions from its supply chain (Scope 3.1). Further goals include a 10 percent intensity reduction in both water use and waste production.

This environmental strategy is intrinsically linked to Kraton's product innovation. The company is expanding its portfolio of sustainable solutions, supported by lifecycle assessment data and third-party certifications like ISCC PLUS, to assist its customers in minimising their own environmental footprint. Kraton's dedication to corporate responsibility has been consistently recognised, evidenced by its receipt of the EcoVadis Platinum rating for the fifth consecutive year, highlighting its ongoing advancement in sustainability management and performance.

Marcello Boldrini, Chief Executive Officer, Kraton, said “At Kraton, sustainability is the foundation of how we create value, innovate and lead for the future. These new long-term targets reflect our commitment to drive meaningful impact across our operations and value chain while supporting our customers in achieving their own sustainability goals.”

Rogier Roelen, Chief Sustainability Officer & General Counsel, Kraton, said “Our new targets are designed to meet our customer expectations for transparency, innovation, upstream raw material decarbonisation and resource efficiency while maintaining the flexibility needed to support business growth. Kraton’s supplier engagement programme will be instrumental in achieving our goals, and we will continue to collaborate closely with our partners to drive progress together.”

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Birla Carbon, a leading global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality carbon materials, is set to take part in PaintIndia 2026, scheduled from 19 to 21 February 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. The company will be located at Booth L3 in Hall 4. At the exhibition, Birla Carbon will highlight its dedication to innovation tailored to specific applications, alongside its strengths in localised production and dependable supply chains, all aimed at supporting the paints and coatings sector with an extensive lineup of advanced carbon-based products.

A key focus will be the Raven line of speciality carbon blacks, engineered to address the shifting needs of modern coatings and inks in terms of performance, appearance and manufacturing efficiency. Visitors will encounter a variety of Raven grades designed to deliver exceptional blackness, precise tonal qualities and consistent results across multiple formulation types. Among these are solutions optimised for waterborne, solvent-based and powder coatings, such as the Raven 5000 Ultra, Raven 5100 Ultra and Raven 3500, which are known for their deep blue shades and reliable colour output.

The company will also present specialised grades developed for powder coatings and inks, including the Raven 1035 Powder, Raven 1185 Ultra Powder and Raven 1255 Powder. These products are part of a globally recognised portfolio of treated blacks now manufactured in India, offering reduced delivery times and greater supply stability along with superior performance characteristics. In addition, Birla Carbon will feature its broader range of advanced materials, which includes Nanocyl carbon nanotubes like the NC7000, Aquacyl and Epocyl, prized for their high electrical conductivity in various coating applications.

Conductex carbon blacks, noted for their ease of dispersion and strong conductive properties, will be presented as ideal for flooring coatings and primers. The Continua SCM line, a sustainable carbonaceous material, will also be on display, distinguished by its uniform quality, lower carbon footprint and elevated purity that meets food-contact standards and other rigorous requirements. Overall, Birla Carbon’s presence at PaintIndia 2026 will underscore its ongoing commitment to developing high-performance materials and solutions shaped by customer needs.

John Davidson, Chief Sales, Marketing & Sustainability Officer, Birla Carbon, said, “PaintIndia 2026 provides an important platform to exchange ideas, showcase innovation and collaborate on the next phase of coatings development in India and globally. Birla Carbon formulations are being improved in multiple dimensions today. The focus is on helping formulators with new materials science solutions that deliver both performance and predictability, with higher purity levels suitable for food-contact compliance. We continue to advance responsible innovation through solutions such as Continua SCM, our sustainable carbonaceous material designed to support mitigated CO₂ emissions with consistent quality and supply security. And of course, we are delighted to offer a range of ‘Made in India’ high-performance grades fresh from our new facility in India.”

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Liberty Tire Recycling, a prominent player in North America's tyre recycling sector, has received a Bronze sustainability medal from EcoVadis. This recognition places the company within the top 35 percent of over 150,000 businesses evaluated globally by the rating agency. The achievement underscores Liberty's ongoing dedication to fostering a resilient and transparent operational model, which in turn supports its clients in mitigating environmental and supply chain vulnerabilities.

As a dedicated partner in sustainability, Liberty manages nationwide collections of end-of-life tyres and employs advanced processing techniques. These processes convert scrap tyres into valuable raw materials, including recycled rubber and steel. Through its family of companies, Liberty transforms these materials into a diverse array of high-value products. These range from landscaping mulch and moulded rubber goods to specialised surfaces for sports and recreation, as well as advanced materials for construction and industrial use, all designed to assist customers in reaching their own sustainability targets.

In its second year of assessment, Liberty significantly enhanced its overall EcoVadis score to 66 out of 100, securing a position in the 73rd percentile. The company surpassed the average scores for the Waste Recovery industry across all four evaluation categories. Specifically, Liberty achieved scores of 76 in Environment, 65 in Labor and Human Rights, 62 in Ethics and 50 in Sustainable Procurement, compared to industry averages of 56, 54, 46, and 39, respectively. EcoVadis, a globally trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, bases its evaluations on documented policies, concrete actions and performance data, with regular reassessments to encourage continuous improvement.

This latest rating acknowledges Liberty's extensive efforts to sustainably manage more than 215 million scrap tyres each year. Looking ahead, the company has established an ambitious target of achieving zero-waste operations by 2030. Concurrently, it is expanding its range of sustainable product solutions, effectively channelling recycled materials back into both consumer and industrial markets.

Amy Brackin, Senior Vice President – Sustainability, Liberty Tire Recycling, said, “This recognition affirms that our sustainability strategy is ambitious, measurable and credible. Earning a Bronze medal in our second year demonstrates that Liberty is a partner our customers can rely on to help meet their own circularity and responsible sourcing goals.”

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Zeon Corporation and Visolis Inc. have formalised their partnership by signing a binding term sheet, marking a pivotal advancement in the commercialisation of bio-based isoprene monomer and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

This collaboration, which now moves from technology verification towards project implementation, is built upon the progress made since their initial memorandum of understanding in March 2024 and the subsequent joint feasibility study announced in April 2025. Bio-based isoprene monomer serves as an essential component in the production of synthetic rubbers and various other materials, while SAF is increasingly recognised as a critical next-generation fuel for reducing carbon emissions within the aviation industry.

The newly established term sheet outlines a foundational agreement on the key elements required for a final investment decision. These include defining the business structure and the respective roles of each company, establishing technology and development strategies and advancing detailed engineering for the proposed production facility. Furthermore, the agreement covers the evaluation of potential sites, the process for engaging with suppliers, securing necessary regulatory approvals and planning the financing pathway.

The envisioned facility is set to commence commercial-scale output after successfully demonstrating mass production capabilities for biomass-based isoprene and SAF, utilising Visolis’ proprietary technology. Both companies are now committed to expediting the path to full-scale production and ensuring a steady supply of these sustainable products to the global market.

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Zeon Corporation has deepened its commitment to digital chemistry through a strategic investment and partnership with Chemify Limited, secured via its corporate venture arm Zeon Ventures Inc. Chemify, a growth-stage UK enterprise, is reshaping molecular research by integrating digital tools with automated laboratory systems. Its proprietary Chemputation technology translates molecular targets into executable chemical code, which operates directly on robotic platforms to complete integrated Design–Make–Test–Analyze cycles without manual intervention. This closed-loop automation allows Chemify to explore previously inaccessible areas of chemical space while reducing the timeline from concept to synthesized compound by up to tenfold.

A cornerstone of Chemify’s capability is its recently inaugurated Chemifarm in Glasgow – one of the most sophisticated automated facilities in the world for molecular design and construction. The facility enables accelerated iteration and autonomous synthesis of novel small molecules, converting chemical code into tangible compounds with unprecedented efficiency. These advances are critical for developing functional, synthesisable molecules that can contribute solutions to urgent global issues spanning public health, energy efficiency and environmental protection.

Zeon has been at the forefront of adopting digital methodologies in chemical R&D, recognising their transformative potential from an early stage. This investment is positioned to strengthen Zeon’s internal digital chemistry efforts and catalyse the invention of novel materials capable of addressing complex societal needs. The move aligns with Zeon’s STAGE30 corporate strategy, which targets a rise in revenue contribution from four key growth sectors – Mobility, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Telecommunications and Green Transformation – to 48 percent by fiscal 2028. By backing pioneering enterprises and cultivating advanced materials, Zeon continues to advance its dual vision of a sustainable planet and a secure, progressive society.

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