Why should ESG be at the core of every corporate strategy?

Chemicals and process fluids might not be the first field you’d associate with sustainability. But Quaker Houghton saw how adopting an ESG-first strategy could benefit its business and the planet – and beyond. 

The story.

A world leader in its sector, Quaker Houghton understands the importance of corporate responsibility and sustainable manufacturing, with an aim to become carbon neutral in its operations by 2030, and net zero across its value chain by 2050. But it’s also aware of the risk of greenwashing – knowing that it needed a focused, feasible strategy; a platform encompassing everything from its sustainable innovations and products, to its behaviours as a brand.

The thinking.

Working with the organisation’s senior team, we devised See Beyond™. Focused on a proposition bridging the gap between ‘seeing’ the Social, Economic and Environmental benefits of a cohesive ESG commitment, and taking action to fulfil them in a measurable way, this presented a way to responsibly realise both ESG and commercial benefits for Quaker Houghton and its customers.

The execution.

Like any strategy, sustainability needs to go beyond words and intentions. So, we made it tangible. We integrated the platform into Quaker Houghton’s corporate strategy, with a roadmap to achieving its aims tied to annual reporting, and helped redefine its sustainable product portfolio – as well as creating internal and external communications tools, assets and content to reach, engage and inspire every level of its business and customer base.

The results.

While See Beyond™ is still in its infancy, Quaker Houghton has a clear pathway to a better, safer world. It all started with putting ESG at the core of its corporate strategy – and, as a continuous journey, we’re excited to see the benefits it promises for people, planet, purpose and profit, just beyond the horizon.