Better Health for All
-40
Brenntag SE has a severe safety record, with one fatality reported in 2024
1
, a Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) that rose to 2.6
2
, 28 process spillages
3
, and 11 PSE-1 events in the same year
4
. The company has also incurred $224,433 in penalties across 18 workplace safety or health violations since 2000
5
. For health externalities, the company has faced numerous environmental violations, including air pollution ($1,512,000)
6
, pesticide violations ($287,612)
7
, hazardous waste, and water pollution ($19,800)
8
, with total penalties exceeding $5.8 million since 2000
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, including recent violations in 2024
10
and 2025
11
. Brenntag Pacific was fined in 2021 for failing to submit accurate reports on chemical imports and exports
12
, indicating incomplete risk disclosures. The company reports 52,800 tonnes of Substances of Very High Concern and 1,610,031 tonnes of Substances of Concern
13
. While Brenntag offers products for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and initiatives like personalized medicine
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, clean water
15
, and salt reduction
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, its core business includes a broad portfolio of industrial chemicals, and it does not meet EU Taxonomy minimum safeguards regarding human rights due diligence for suppliers
17
. The company has limited mental health support, basic health education, and its diversity, equity, and inclusion structure was only set up in 2024
18
with mandatory unconscious bias training planned for 2025
19
.
Fair Money & Economic Opportunity
0
Brenntag SE is a global chemical distributor. The 'Fair Money & Economic Opportunity' value assesses financial institutions and their services related to lending, insuring, moving, or storing money for consumers, particularly underserved populations. The provided articles discuss Brenntag's corporate ESG-linked financing
1
, internal diversity programs
2
, and general sustainability strategy
3
. There is no evidence that Brenntag SE offers consumer lending, deposit services, insurance, or other financial products to individuals or businesses that would fall under the scope of the KPIs for this value. Therefore, all KPIs are scored 0, indicating that they are not applicable to the company's core business operations.
Fair Pay & Worker Respect
30
Brenntag achieved its target of 100% of employees receiving a living wage by the end of 2023.
1
The CEO's total remuneration in 2024 was EUR 2,598k
2
, while the average employee remuneration was EUR 131k
3
, resulting in a pay ratio of 19.83:1.
4
The company's Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) was 2.6 in 2024.
5
For 2024, the hourly median pay rate for women was 6.06% higher than for men.
6
Employee overall satisfaction was 3.3 out of 5.
7
Voluntary employee turnover for the Group was 7.4% in 2024.
8
In 2024, the company reported zero fines, penalties, or compensation related to labor violations and zero severe human rights incidents.
9
Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing
-30
Brenntag conducts PSM assessments and re-assessments for its suppliers at least once every three years.
1
For the 2024 reporting period, the company reported zero severe human rights incidents.
2
Brenntag utilizes a Supplier Code of Conduct that mandates suppliers to actively protect human rights within their organizations and supply chains.
3
Honest & Fair Business
20
Brenntag SE's Supervisory Board reported no conflicts of interest in 2023, with all members regarded as independent.
1
The company achieved a Platinum status in the EcoVadis Sustainability Assessment in May 2024 with a score of 81, placing it among the top 1% of companies assessed globally.
2
Brenntag has not reported any financial restatements for the past five years (2021-2025).
3
The company maintains a comprehensive anti-corruption framework, including a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and an Anti-corruption Guideline, with 97% of relevant employees completing anti-corruption training in 2023.
4
A whistleblowing system is in place, offering internal and external channels for anonymous reporting, ensuring confidentiality, and involving the Audit and Compliance Committee for review and action.
5
While no regulatory fines were reported for the past three years, 14 compliance incidents and one incident involving possible corrupt action were reported in 2023.
6
Kind to Animals
-20
Brenntag actively engages in multiple collaborative initiatives, cooperating with universities and independent research facilities
1
. The company partners with HiProMine to introduce insect-based feeds
2
and collaborates with MycoTechnology to develop plant-based proteins
3
, promoting sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives. Brenntag also provides regulatory guidance
4
, indicating participation in policy discussions. As a chemical distributor, Brenntag provides nutritional solutions for farm and companion animals
5
and promotes alternatives to conventional animal farming practices
6
, but does not operate animal agriculture facilities or directly source eggs, meat, or dairy.
No War, No Weapons
-60
In 2014, Brenntag's Swiss subsidiary supplied dual-use chemicals, isopropanol and diethylamine, to a Syrian drugmaker.
1
These chemicals can be used in pharmaceuticals but also to make nerve agents like Sarin and VX.
2
The sales occurred despite EU sanctions requiring formal authorization for these chemicals since 2012 and 2013.
3
In 2017, the United Nations found that sarin gas used in an attack was made using isopropanol.
4
While German prosecutors decided not to investigate Brenntag over these sales,
5
and the company stated compliance with applicable laws,
6
the incident demonstrates sales to a sanctioned regime and a link to controversial weapons through its products.
Planet-Friendly Business
-60
Brenntag's total Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions were 30,035,471 tCO2e in 2024.
1
, representing a 4.8% reduction from 2023.
2
Science-based targets for Scope 1 and 2 (58.8% reduction by 2034 from a 2023 base year) and Scope 3 (35% reduction by 2034 from a 2023 base year) were validated by SBTi in January 2025.
3
In 2024, 14.2% of total operational energy consumption was sourced from renewables.
4
Total water consumption per net revenue was 0.0000659 m³/EUR in 2024.
5
, with 28.38% sourced from areas at water risk.
6
The waste diversion rate was 17.9% in 2024, with 82.1% of the 56,647 tonnes of waste generated being non-recycled.
7
In 2024, 22.23% of capital expenditure was identified as EU Taxonomy-eligible.
8
, but no CapEx was reported as Taxonomy-aligned due to not meeting minimum safeguards.
9
The share of secondary reused or recycled products was 0.2% of the total product weight in 2024.
10
Biodiversity was assessed as not material, and no biodiversity mitigation measures were implemented.
11
Climate scenario analysis is conducted qualitatively for long-term physical climate risks based on 1.5°C, 2.0°C, and 4.8°C temperature scenarios.
12
Respect for Cultures & Communities
0
Brenntag SE has no reported cultural appropriation incidents. The company has a public commitment to human rights, supported by a Policy Statement on Human Rights, Code of Conduct, and membership in the UN Global Compact since October 2014.
1
It has implemented a Human Rights Due Diligence system, based on international standards, which includes risk management, risk analysis, preventive and remedial actions, effectiveness control, and a complaints channel.
2
This system suggests a proactive approach to human rights issues, including potential cultural incidents, and provides a standard grievance mechanism.
Safe & Smart Tech
10
Brenntag has a robust compliance framework, including a Group Data Protection Officer appointed in 2018
1
who reports independently to the Board of Management
2
, a Global Data Protection department
3
, and regional data protection coordinators
4
. The company is compliant with Sections 289c to 289e in conjunction with Section 315c of the German Commercial Code (HGB)
5
, Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 (EU Taxonomy Regulation)
6
, and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
7
. It also conducts human rights risk analysis in accordance with the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG)
8
and aims to reduce substances of very high concern (REACH)
9
. Brenntag reported zero fines for anti-corruption/bribery in 2024
10
. The SpeakUp® channel, certified to ISAE3000 Type II
11
, supports ethical reporting
12
. The company plans to hire a Senior Privacy Manager/Legal Counsel to support global compliance with privacy laws
13
.
Zero Waste & Sustainable Products
-40
Brenntag provides regulatory and compliance management for hazardous materials, including REACH, CLP, safety data sheets, and local laws.
1
The company has implemented several waste reduction initiatives, such as offering waste reduction and recycling services for certain product streams to close loops for customers.
2
Since 2021, all organic waste produced at its Lima, Peru site has been collected and composted by employees.
3
Additionally, 13,700 kg of waste was recycled during the construction and commissioning of its Zárate site in 2022, and an online system connects sites for equipment exchanges.
4