Interviews with LANXESS and with Azelis
Vinod Agnihotri, Managing Director, LANXESS
Could you provide an update on what has been happening at LANXESS over the last year?
Over the last year, LANXESS continued to sharpen its focus on specialty chemicals. This includes strengthening our Consumer Protection segment. Besides developing the Flavors and Fragrances business unit that we launched following the acquisition of Emerald Kalama, this also refers to the integration of the microbial control business we acquired from US company IFF last July. This new business is now part of our Material Protection Products business unit and has made LANXESS one of the world’s largest suppliers of microbial control and biocidal products. What is your approach to sustainability?
This is reflected in our sustainability strategy. In 2019, we pledged to achieve climate neutrality in production (Scope 1) and energy sources (Scope 2) by 2040. Then, in 2022, we added the goal to achieve climate neutrality across our full value chain (Scope 3) by 2050. This includes ensuring that our logistical operations are sustainable. Moreover, we have set a target to reduce water consumption by 15% at our sites globally that engage in water-intensive processes. In recognition of our efforts, in the chemicals category of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) we again ranked first for Europe and second worldwide. Also, we have received an AA rating by MSCI ESG, and the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) certifies us as being in line with the Paris Agreement's climate neutrality goal of limiting warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. Moreover, we were in the latest CDP assessment included in the “Climate A List” for the sixth time. Could you shed some light on your plans for the coming year?
As a global player, we appreciate free markets and flow of goods. Although current trends in the chemical world are heavily influenced by fluctuating macroeconomic and geopolitical situations, we aim to actively engage in all markets worldwide where we see opportunities and potential.
Sertaç Sürür, CEO and President Asia Pacific, Azelis
How has Azelis grown in the APAC region?
Since inaugurating our Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Singapore in 2016, we have experienced exponential growth in the region through strategic acquisitions, key mandate wins with principals, and sales expansion with customers, our three key pillars of growth. Since 2017, we have completed 20 acquisitions in Asia Pacific, significantly expanding our lateral value chain and the innovative solutions we offer.
We have also invested in our innovation capabilities, opening our first Regional Innovation Center (RIC) for Food & Nutrition in Singapore in 2021, focusing on developing healthy and tasty recipes across all applications that are then cascaded across the region and our laboratory network. What is Azelis’s approach to digitalization?
Digitalization is an incredible opportunity to get closer to our partners. We aim to position digitalization as an extension of how we conduct business with our partners: innovatively, respectfully, and with transparency. For each of our stakeholders, internally and externally, we are developing tailored tools that reflect the solutions we offer. For instance, we developed a platform for our customers where they can access everything from product information to ready-to-use formulations and place orders with just a click. Taking this a step further, our digital and innovation teams collaborated to create our e-Lab, a service where customers can request technical support to formulate a new concept, customize an existing formulation, or solve a technical issue. Everything is designed to create a safe, confidential, and user-friendly experience for both our customers and our teams. What is your growth strategy?
We plan to continue growing strategically across all of Asia Pacific, organically by expanding our partnerships with key principals and customers, and through targeted acquisitions. Our people are also integral to the success of our business, and we will continue to focus on employee engagement and nurturing opportunities for personal and professional growth.