The past three years have held many lessons, and days ahead undoubtedly hold more. We’ve seen climate change and extreme weather events impact growers worldwide, as pressures of the global pandemic linger. But the challenges of this period have only strengthened our commitment to creating a more sustainable and secure future for those we serve.
If you’ve been with us long, you know sustainability is an ICL priority. Earlier this year, we proclaimed 2022 as The Year of Sustainability, underscored by our 2021 Corporate Responsibility (ESG) Report release. As makers of the fertilizer industry’s most trusted professional brands, including Osmocote controlled release fertilizers and Peters water-soluble fertilizers, we believe it’s our responsibility to help lead this industry forward—and to share our progress with you.
Innovation and R&D
Research and innovation have been ICL hallmarks since its beginning. As we work to impact the future, the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) guide our research & development goals. In 2021, ICL invested $57 million in R&D expenses through 26 R&D and Innovation centers worldwide.
From internal research and employee ideas to collaboration with outside partners, our R&D units focus on developing innovative products to help better our world. These include increasingly precise fertilizers to help growers like you grow more effectively, efficiently, and profitably—with less environmental impact.
The recent launch of ICL’s new eqo.x technology represents our most advanced controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) coating yet. Designed for open-field agriculture, this rapidly biodegrading release technology will help farmers optimize crop performance, reduce nutrient loss, and increase nutrient use efficiency (NUE) up to 80%. Specifically designed to meet new European fertilizer standards for 2026, this technology paves the way for CRF innovation across the board.
Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
Last year we announced that ICL updated its sustainability vision to include two new goals. The first is a 30% reduction in our total direct (Scope 1) greenhouse gas emissions and indirect, energy-related (Scope 2) GHG emissions by 2030, compared to our 2018 baseline. We also set a long-term target: Become carbon neutral by 2050.
Our progress toward these goals happens in many ways. We’ve developed ambitious multi-year energy-efficiency plans. We continue to transition from heavy fuels to renewable energy. Our installation and expansion of renewable energy facilities continue, plans for site-specific decarbonization are underway, and more.
For 2021, ICL saved $9.6 million through energy efficiency and spent $122 million on environmental protection. And we’re pleased to report independent third-party audits show we’ve reduced our total Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 13.7%.
Supply chain partnerships
As we look to the future, the principles that guide us go beyond our operations to impact our suppliers as well. We believe it’s part of our responsibility as trusted fertilizer industry leaders to discuss sustainability issues with our suppliers and consider their sustainability practices when deciding who provides our supplies.
As we’ve worked with service providers and suppliers to overcome supply chain hurdles, we took another step. We challenged these companies to join us in the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative, a member-driven network dedicated to improving best practices and reducing chemical supply chain inefficiencies.
More than 500 suppliers answered that call to greater sustainability and accountability and joined our efforts at TfS.
Our people and communities
Creating impact for a sustainable future is more than a company slogan. At the heart of that mission are the people and the communities we serve. Our devotion to improving our world extends to helping farmers reduce food insecurity in undeveloped nations. But it’s also much closer to home.
On issues such as gender equality, ICL’s on track to have women hold 25% of senior management positions no later than 2025. Earlier this year, we were included again in the 2022 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI), a testament to our commitment and transparency in developing a diverse and inclusive workforce.
In our communities, ICL contributions tallied $8 million in 2021. At its own expense, the company contributed 12,755 volunteer hours by ICL employees. ICL also helped encourage, organize, and facilitate another 12,680 volunteer hours ICL employees donated on their own time. During our annual Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) week activities, 3,300 ICL employees from 20 countries volunteered.
At ICL, we understand that you care about the companies you do business with day to day and year to year. We want you to know we feel the same way. To learn more about ICL’s efforts to create impact for a sustainable future—or just get some expert fertilizer advice—give us a call or send us an email. We’re here to help you grow.