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Sustainability Material Topics and Materiality Analysis in the Chemical Industry

Author

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  • Triantafyllos Papafloratos

    (Department of Business Administration, International Hellenic University, 62124 Serres, Greece)

  • Ioannis Markidis

    (Department of Business Administration, International Hellenic University, 62124 Serres, Greece)

  • Iordanis Kotzaivazoglou

    (Department of Business Administration, International Hellenic University, 62124 Serres, Greece)

  • Garyfallos Fragidis

    (Department of Business Administration, International Hellenic University, 62124 Serres, Greece)

Abstract

Chemicals are an essential ingredient for many industries. The chemical industry has a direct environmental and social impact and massive potential to contribute towards a more sustainable world. Environmental and social awareness and pressure from society are increasing, customers expect from companies to show increased corporate social responsibility (CSR), and there are increasing legal requirements for companies to disclose information on their social, economic, and environmental performance through CSR reporting. This paper explores the most material sustainability topics in the chemical industry. We reviewed 25 sustainability reports of some of the biggest companies in the chemical industry—in terms of annual sales. We studied the reports, created a database, and then analyzed the findings. We identified the topics that were most commonly reported as being material by the chemical industry. This enabled us to identify trends, differences, or similarities within the data. The industry’s main environmental impacts are pollution and energy consumption, which is directly related to carbon emissions. Other material issues include health and safety, and water and waste management. Overall, it became apparent that the chemical industry recognizes the importance that the materiality assessment plays, but the content and detail of the sustainability reports can be improved.

Suggested Citation

  • Triantafyllos Papafloratos & Ioannis Markidis & Iordanis Kotzaivazoglou & Garyfallos Fragidis, 2023. "Sustainability Material Topics and Materiality Analysis in the Chemical Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:18:p:14014-:d:1244737
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert G. Eccles & Michael P. Krzus & Jean Rogers & George Serafeim, 2012. "The Need for Sector-Specific Materiality and Sustainability Reporting Standards," Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, Morgan Stanley, vol. 24(2), pages 65-71, June.
    2. Wen Pan Fagerlin & Minoru Shimamoto & Ran Li, 2019. "Boundary Objects as a Learning Mechanism for Sustainable Development Goals—A Case Study of a Japanese Company in the Chemical Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-26, November.
    3. Ioannis Karagiannis & Panagiotis Vouros & Antonis Skouloudis & Konstantinos Evangelinos, 2019. "Sustainability reporting, materiality, and accountability assessment in the airport industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(7), pages 1370-1405, November.
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    1. Ingrid Assis Vosgrau & Matheus Pereira Libório & Douglas Alexandre Gomes Vieira & Petr Iakovlevitch Ekel & Thaís de Bessa Gontijo de Oliveira & Pâmela de Rezende Côrtes, 2026. "Group decision-making models and methods for identifying material sustainability reporting topics," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 3047-3073, February.
    2. Tamara Menichini & Gennaro Salierno & Nicoletta Maria Strollo, 2026. "Exploring the role of materiality analysis in corporate decision-making for SDG prioritization: A systematic literature review," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 1-30, June.
    3. Sweta Bania & Jhumoor Biswas, 2024. "An Analysis of Key Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Metrics in Several Important Manufacturing Segments of India," Indian Journal of Corporate Governance, , vol. 17(2), pages 202-233, December.
    4. Jorge Alejandro Silva, 2024. "Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability in Water Supply: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-29, April.

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