Carmela LeRose
Manuela Caro
Mathew Giraldo
Brandon Costa
Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU)
Aixa Ritz
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BASF, one of the world’s leading chemical companies, has taken major steps to become more sustainable. Through the leadership of professionals like Luiziana Ribeiro, Director of Sustainability for BASF North America, the company has introduced several innovations aimed at reducing environmental harm and improving the way chemicals are produced. Luiziana, who has worked with BASF for over a decade, shared her insights about the company’s most important sustainability efforts. “I’ve been with BASF for 11 years now,” she said, reflecting on her journey from Brazil to North America, where she has held roles in corporate communication and sustainability. Their sustainability efforts include chemical recycling and the use of the biomass balance approach. These efforts highlight how BASF is changing its business, prioritizing sustainability and long-term environmental responsibility.
BASF’s efforts support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly goals 7, “Clean Energy”, and 13, “Climate Action”. By replacing fossil fuels with renewable natural gas and using waste as a resource, BASF is helping reduce the amount of harmful emissions released into the air. These actions support global efforts to slow down climate change and move toward a cleaner energy future. The company’s focus on renewable inputs, lower emissions, and the biomass balance approach also gives customers the power to make more sustainable choices. All of this fits into a larger vision where companies take responsibility for their environmental impact and work toward global solutions.
BASF has implemented many sustainable efforts into its business practices. To accomplish these efforts, they have created many innovations. One major innovation at BASF is the use of chemical recycling. Luiziana explained that these actions are crucial as plastic waste is a big environmental problem worldwide. By “transforming waste into valuable materials” she said, BASF helps reduce the large amounts of garbage that end up in landfills and oceans.
Another sustainable innovation at BASF is its use of renewable natural gas. Luiziana explained that instead of using “fossil-based natural gas,” which contributes to pollution and climate change, BASF is replacing it with “gas that comes from renewable sources.” Using renewable gas helps to reduce the company’s “carbon footprint and supports the transition to cleaner forms of energy." Luiziana also described how the use of renewable gas, “benefits other parts of the supply chain” and allows BASF to offer more “environmentally friendly products to its customers.” Establishing renewable natural gas in business practices showcases how BASF is using new technology to make its products better for the planet. Luiziana stated that these practices help BASF move toward “more sustainable production without changing the entire system all at once.” BASF’s approach shows how innovation is already making a huge impact in the market with sustainable products.
Luiziana explained that BASF’s sustainability innovations were not created by just one person or one team. That, “individuals from a variety of departments at BASF work together to make these ideas a reality.” She mentioned that engineers, sustainability experts, and marketers all played a part. Luiziana was involved in helping “communicate changes both inside and outside the company.” She shared that at BASF, there is a dedicated group that focuses on “assertive and careful” marketing and communication related to sustainability and that this group created a manual that explains “what terminology we could use and how to classify the different buckets of products for sustainability.” Their goal is to make sure that everything BASF says about sustainability is based on “science and real data,” so customers and the public can trust the information.
The inspiration behind BASF’s innovations comes from a mix of important factors. One of the biggest is the company’s own sustainability goals. Luiziana expressed that BASF is a “leading innovative company in the chemical market,” which means they must find new ways to produce chemicals that are “safer and more environmentally friendly.” Another reason for their innovations is consumer demand. Luiziana stated that more and more consumers are looking for products that are better for the environment, and BASF wants to meet those needs. Laws and regulations are “pushing companies to reduce pollution and use cleaner energy sources.” These regulations encouraged BASF to “find better solutions.” She emphasized that “the acceptance of the market in terms of sustainable portfolio is much higher today.” These factors for BASF’s innovations contribute to making them a success. Luiziana advised others to “try to find those stakeholders, learn from them,” and shared that “there’s no one that is alone on that sustainability journey.”
BASF measures the success of its sustainability work in several ways. Luiziana detailed that one way they do so is by looking at how much “carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are avoided throughout new projects.” She further detailed that BASF tracks how much renewable material is used in production to measure its success. The company also looks at the amount of sales generated from sustainable products. Luiziana explained that these measurements help BASF see which innovations are working well and which ones need to be improved. It also helps the company set future goals and stay focused on long-term impact rather than just short-term profit.
The impact of these innovations has been felt in many areas for BASF. Luiziana said that in terms of business, these innovations have opened up new opportunities and helped the company stay ahead in a changing market. She stated that customers are more interested in sustainable products, and with these innovations, BASF can provide them with better choices.
For society, these innovations help reduce waste and pollution, which leads to a healthier environment for everyone. For the planet, the use of renewable resources and the reduction of harmful emissions make a big difference in the fight against climate change. Luiziana outlined that in the short term, these projects have led to more awareness and education inside the company and that in the long term, BASF could help change the entire chemical industry.
Another part of BASF’s sustainability work involves educating its employees. Luiziana explained that the company offers training programs, online classes, and special workshops called “boot camps.” These programs teach employees about the importance of sustainability and how they can contribute to BASF’s goals. Engineers and other leaders also receive special training to help them think in new, more sustainable ways. This internal education is important because real change only happens when everyone in the company understands and supports the new direction.
BASF also makes sure that customers and the public know about its sustainability efforts. However, the company is very careful about how it shares this information. BASF does not want to make false claims or seem like they are exaggerating. Instead, it bases all its marketing on facts and science. Luiziana explained, “There’s so much information out there and we want to make sure that whatever we're communicating is based on science and based on real numbers.”
BASF uses innovation to change how chemicals are made and how businesses can help in protecting the planet. Through ideas like chemical recycling and the biomass balance approach, the company is showing leadership in sustainability. The inspiration for these changes comes from a strong sense of purpose, customer expectations, and legal requirements. The impact of these innovations can be seen in the company’s growth, the environment, and society. With a focus on clean energy, climate action, and long-term thinking, BASF is helping to build a better future.
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Luiziana Ribeiro, Director of Sustainability for BASF North America
BASF Corporation is one of the world's leading chemical companies, largely known for its mission of creating chemistry for a sustainable future. At BASF, they blend economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Using science and innovation, they support customers in almost every industry to satisfy the current and future needs of society.