Transparency

Adherence to GRI

The following facts and figures relate to Sika’s global business operations in 2011, excluding those sites acquired during the last three years. Most new acquisitions initially undergo a program to boost their sustainability performance. The extent of operations covered by the report for 2011 was equivalent to 97% of total sales (2010: 96%). The sustainability indicators are consistent with the widely used GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) system.

• Sika consolidates its activities in the areas of environment, health, safety and sustainability in a like-named unit that reports to the Corporate Operations Group Management member.
• Tasks relating to the sustainability of products and the value chain, product safety, REACH (registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemical substances), transport safety and risk management are handled centrally by the unit.
• Most new acquisitions initially undergo a programn to boost their sustainability performance. As Sika intends, over the next few years, to continue its growth strategy by buying into local markets, the associated activities will, unless otherwise stated, be integrated after a three-year period, as to date.
• The sustainability indicators used by Sika have now been adapted to the widely used GRI system so as to allow comparisons within the indicator framework. Due to this changeover, not all indicators can be presented in a historic time series.
• Sika’s reporting on primary (Scope 1) and secondary (Scope 2) energy use now dates back several years. Sika intends to use these data in the coming years to determine its overall CO2 footprint.
• To maintain a clear picture at all times, Sika has adapted the internal compilation of sustainability indicators to the in-house financial reporting procedures and principles.
  

Sustainability along the Entire Value Chain

To promote sustainability, transparent data and information are needed on products and works along the entire value chain. To collect the necessary data and information, Sika in 2011 launched the following activities:

• Development of a method to measure product sustainability in line with international life-cycle assessment (LCA) standards, e.g. from the ISO 14040 series.
• Measurement and improvement of sustainability in Sika’s own value chain through a global program to boost safety and efficiency in terms of energy and raw materials.
• Introduction of new information systems on product safety to provide users with much more detailed product information.