Better Health for All

Olin Corporation's principal goods and past operations have caused severe, widespread health damage, leading to a score of -100 for health_impact_core. Numerous former workers at an Olin plant developed illnesses like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer due to asbestos exposure.

Mercury contamination from Olin's operations led to fish consumption advisories in the Tombigbee River, with average mercury levels in largemouth bass at 5.39 ppm, significantly exceeding the FDA guidance level of 1.00 ppm. Hazardous wastes, including chloropyridines and chlorinated VOCs, have resulted in significant soil, groundwater, and soil vapor contamination at a New York site, posing inhalation risks. At an Illinois facility, metals-impacted sediments and soils, and lead concentrations above drinking water criteria, pose risks to human health and the environment. The company also scores -90 for health_externalities due to major health-harming externalities and significant community health impacts. Groundwater contaminated with chloropyridines discharges into a quarry and the Erie Canal. Chlorine releases into the atmosphere and potential groundwater contamination from mercury use have been noted, along with asbestos-related health problems in the community. A major chlorine leak in May 2020 posed a significant health risk to nearby residents, and the company has had 35 unauthorized emissions since May 2020 at its Freeport facility. Olin has incurred over $5.2 million in environment-related penalties since 2000. For vulnerable_reach, the company scores 0 as its business model does not involve serving vulnerable populations with health needs. However, its facilities are located in areas identified as environmental justice areas, with residents having incomes below the poverty line exceeding twice the state average, and communities with significant Black and Native American populations.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

Olin Corporation's CEO to median employee pay ratio was 254:1 for the fiscal year 2024.

In the past three years (2023-2025), the company accumulated four substantiated labor-law or human-rights violations. These include one employment discrimination violation in 2023 with a $630,000 penalty, and three workplace safety or health violations, one each in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Additionally, workers at various plants were exposed to asbestos without comparable protection, and internal safety concerns were raised regarding asbestos containment and air quality.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

Olin Corporation has a Conflict Minerals Policy, requiring suppliers to provide origin information for conflict minerals and encouraging responsible sourcing aligned with OECD guidance.

The company also has a Business Partner Code of Conduct outlining ethical standards, including zero tolerance for forced labor and human trafficking. Olin employs a risk-based approach to due diligence, conducting periodic risk assessments and audits where necessary, and provides training on ethical conduct. The company states compliance with the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 and the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015. However, no specific quantitative data is provided across the articles for fair trade certification, audit frequency, forced labor incidents, traceability coverage, remediation speed, ethical clause coverage, materials risk index, or supplier diversity spend.

Honest & Fair Business

Olin Corporation incurred a total of $1,695,110 in regulatory fines over the past three years (2022-2024).

In 2022, fines amounted to $288,191 for various air pollution, environmental, and railroad safety violations. In 2023, the company faced $1,324,625 in penalties, including $630,000 for employment discrimination and $600,000 for an air pollution violation. In 2024, fines totaled $82,294 for air pollution, workplace safety, hazardous waste, and railroad safety violations.

Kind to Animals

Olin Corporation's operations have directly destroyed critical habitats and caused documented wildlife mortality. The company was designated a Superfund site in 1984 due to mercury and other heavy metal contamination in ground and surface water, soil, sediment, and plant and animal life.

Mercury and DDT are legacy contaminants that pose an ongoing health risk to wildlife. In 2020, the EPA found mercury, HCB, and byproducts of DDT in the Olin Basin. Residents were advised not to eat mercury-contaminated fish from the Tombigbee River. After a chlorine release in 2017, residents observed birds falling from the sky. Widespread DDT contamination was discovered on more than 1400 acres of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, with elevated levels of DDT detected in wildlife in the area. Olin manufactured DDT from 1947 to 1971, and in 1980, the Justice Department sued Olin, leading to an agreement for a 10-year period to reduce DDT levels in fish. A 2021 consent decree ordered Olin and BASF to clean up the Olin Basin and pay an estimated $13.4 million, which the companies disputed in 2023.

No War, No Weapons

No specific, concrete data points were found in the provided articles to assess Olin Corporation against the 'No War, No Weapons' ethical value for any of the defined KPIs. While one article mentions Olin as a DoD prime contractor with $384 million in contract awards for FY22

, the company's total revenue for that period is not provided, preventing the calculation of the percentage of revenue from arms or defense contracts. No other relevant quantitative or qualitative evidence was available for the remaining KPIs.

Planet-Friendly Business

Olin Corporation has a history of environmental compliance issues, including 35 unauthorized emissions reported in Freeport since May 2020, averaging approximately 7 per year.

The company has been under High Priority Violation Status (Federal) every quarter since April 2023 for Clean Air Act violations. In 2022, it incurred a $600,000 fine for a chlorine release and fire in Louisiana. Additionally, Olin is subject to a $48 million settlement for cleanup costs at the Olin Chemical Superfund Site in Wilmington, Massachusetts, where contamination forced municipal drinking water wells offline.

Safe & Smart Tech

Olin Corporation conducts annual cybersecurity awareness training for employees and performs quarterly phishing simulations.

The company also conducts penetration testing, utilizing both internal resources and third-party providers.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Olin Corporation is an EPA hazardous waste cleanup site with documented soil and groundwater contamination, including mercury concentrations up to 15,600 mg/kg and hexachlorocyclohexane.

An Administrative Order on Consent was issued in 1997 regarding this site. Despite this, the company has implemented two notable waste reduction initiatives. The Hypo Recycle Process at its Niagara Falls plant eliminated a 16,500-gallon-per-day waste discharge and generates $1 million in annual cost savings. Additionally, Olin received the 2024 JEC Composites Global Innovation Award for a circular economy solution that recycles epoxy resin from wind blades, breaking down epoxy resin into virgin-grade materials. The Niagara facility also uses membrane-cell technology to produce caustic and chlorine without mercury or asbestos. The circular economy solution for epoxy composites demonstrates the application of circular design principles to several product categories.