Innovative Company
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ periodically assesses the materiality, that is, the relevance, of sustainability issues in order to structure its strategy for the company's contribution to sustainable development. In 2013, this evaluation was renewed based on a structured stakeholder consultation process, summarized in the following diagram.
Consultation Process
- 29 Apects (Based on GRI*)
- 17 Material Aspects
- 10 Macro-Objectives
Workshops with internal and external stakeholders**
3 workshops with Team Members (2 in Sao Paulo, 1 in Salvador)
4 workshops with external stakeholders (in Triunfo, Maceió, Salvador, and Sao Paulo)
1 workshop in the U.S.A. (with internal and external stakeholders)
6 meetings with Financiers, Government, and Local Communities in Mexico.
Interviews with leaders**
35 interviews with ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s senior leadership (all vice presidents and Directors responsible for areas with high sustainability influence)
Online survey***
2,001 responses to the online survey, from Team Members, Customers, Suppliers, Academia, Local Groups (NGOs, Local Communities, Trade Associations), Opinion Formers (Government, Press), and General Public.
Consolidation and Results**
1 workshop, involving the Sustainable Development, People & Organization (equivalent to HR), and Strategic Planning teams.
* Global Reporting Initiative (G3 and G4); international standard for matters regarding the promotion of sustainability.
** Supported by ERM, specialized sustainability consultancy.
*** Supported by Reputation Institute, specialized stakeholder consultation consultancy.
With the aspects listed by the Global Reporting Initiative Reporting Guidelines (GRI, considering both G3 e G4) as a starting point, we analysed each aspect to define how they should be analysed. We came to the conclusion that some aspects could be aggregated (e.g. safe use of products includes customer health and safety and product labelling) and others did not require evaluation, either because they are issues in which we did not identify any involvement of our value chain (e.g. indigineous rights) or they are considered basic obligations, such as meeting legal requirements. Hence we reached 29 aspects to be analysed. To see the full description, click here .
The result of this process was registered in the Materiality Matrix below, which plots the extent of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s impact in the matter in question (assessed using data on the context in which ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ operates and our contribution to it) versus the relevance of each aspect to our stakeholders (ponderation of the ranking each aspect attained in the different consultations performed). ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s level of control over each aspect was also assessed, to help us understand how to act on the matter. Click on each element of the matrix to find out more about the definitions used, as well as the evaluation of each topic. To download the full material, with all results and definitions, click here .
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Materiality Matrix
Level of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s impact
4 - High
3 - Medium
2 - Low
1 - Irrelevant
22
6
18
16
1 - Irrelevant
21
23
3
9
11
25
19
7
2 - Low
1
2
4
5
8
28
17
20
24
12
14
15
3 - Medium
13
26
27
10
29
11b
7a
4 - High
Level of importance for Stakeholders
LEVEL OF BRASKEM'S CONTROL OR INFLUENCE OVER THE ASPECT
-
1 - MINIMAL
-
2 - LOW
-
3 - MEDIUM
-
4 - STRONG
-
- 1. Non-renewable resources
- 2. Water
- 3. Climate Change and Energy
- 4. Air
- 5. Waste
- 6. Transport
- 7. Biodiversity (a = Mexico)
- 8. Post-consumption
- 9. Suppliers - Environmental Management
- 10. Product development -Environmental
-
- 20. Economic Performance
- 21. Community investment and relationships
- 22. Receipt of government assistance
- 23. Local suppliers
- 24. Free competition
- 25. Fraud and corruption
- 26. Contribution to public policy
- 27. Product development - Social
- 28. Labor from local communities
- 29. Transparency and integrity
-
Materiality
-
Critical
-
High
-
Moderate
-
Low
X
1. NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES
IMPORTANCE
Medium (3):
Topic ranking in the consultations
10th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (3);
2nd in online survey (4);
Prioritized in 8 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.3 (3);
IMPACT
High (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the largest industrial consumer of natural gas in Brazil
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the largest consumer of naphtha in Brazil
CONTROL
Medium (3):
Making products from renewable sources is controlled by ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½, but markets define acceptance (3) ;
Prioritized in 8 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.4 (3) ;
X
2. WATER
IMPORTANCE
Medium (3):
Topic ranking in the consultations:
11th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (3);
7th in online survey (4);
Prioritized in 8 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.6 (4);
IMPACT
High (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is among the 5 largest consumers of water in the states of Bahia, Rio Grande do Sul, and Alagoas (BA, RS, AL)
CONTROL
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ controls the consumption, but not the availability of water (3) ;
Prioritized in 8 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.6 (4) ;
X
3. CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY
IMPORTANCE
Low (2):
Topic ranking in the consultations:
16th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (2);
14th in online survey (3);
Prioritized in 5 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.3 (3);
IMPACT
High (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is among the 5 largest industrial consumers of energy and emitters of greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil
CONTROL
Medium (3):
The control depends on other parties (suppliers of renewables) and on government regulation (3) ;
Prioritized in 5 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.2 (3) ;
X
4. AIR
IMPORTANCE
Medium (3):
Topic ranking in the consultations:
14th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (3);
9th in online survey (3);
Prioritized in 6 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.6 (4);
IMPACT
High (4):
Among the 5 largest sources of industrial atmospheric emissions in Maceio, Camacari, and Triunfo;
In Triunfo, responsible for over 90% of SO2, NOx, and Particulate Matter
CONTROL
Strong (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ controls its SOx, NOx, and PM emissions (4) ;
Prioritized in 7 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.4 (3) ;
X
5. WASTE
IMPORTANCE
Medium (3):
Topic ranking in the consultations:
12th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (3);
11th in online survey (3);
Prioritized in 5 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.7 (4);
IMPACT
High (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is among the 5 largest generators of industrial waste in Alagoas, Bahia, and Rio Grande do Sul.
The chemical industry is the largest source of hazardous waste in Brazil.
CONTROL
Strong (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is 100% responsible for the waste produced in its operations (4) ;
Prioritized in 5 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.6 (4) ;
X
6. TRANSPORT
IMPORTANCE
Irrelevant (1):
Topic ranking in the consultations:
28th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (3);
29th in online survey (3);
Was not prioritized in the workshops
IMPACT
Low (2):
Although we transport hazardous products, our operation makes up less than 10% of the quantity of product transported in São Paulo (for example)
CONTROL
Low (2):
A sizeable part of product transport is contracted by our Clients (2) ;
Was not prioritized in the workshops
X
7. BIODIVERSITY
IMPORTANCE
Low (2), except Mexico (4):
Topic ranking in the consultations:
29th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (3);
20th in online survey (3);
Prioritized in the Alagoas workshop with a high score - 3.8 (4);
7a = high importance in Mexico: 4th in the survey and cited in 4 of 6 meetings.
IMPACT
Irrelevant (1), except México (2):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ has no operational facilities in areas of high value in biodiversity, with the exception of Mexico (7a), where an endangered species was relocated.
CONTROL
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is located at industrial sites and has control through contracts (3) ;
Prioritized in Alagoas workshop with an average score of 3 (3) ;
X
8. POST-CONSUMPTION
IMPORTANCE
Medium (3):
Topic ranking in the consultations:
3th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (4);
18th in online survey (2);
Prioritized in 7 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.2 (3);
IMPACT
High (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the largest producer of thermoplastic resins in Brazil; the rate of mechanical recycling of post-consumption plastic in Brazil is 21%, only 52% of waste receives appropriate treatment.
CONTROL
Low (2):
Multiple parties are involved in the waste treatment chain (citizens, government, treatment companies...) (2) ;
Prioritized in 7 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 2.7 (3) ;
X
9. SUPPLIERS - ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
IMPORTANCE
Low (2):
Topic ranking in the consultations
23rd per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (1);
28th in online survey (1);
Prioritized in 1 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.6 (4);
IMPACT
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is among the 10 largest buyers of hazardous products. Petrobras, however, is one of the main suppliers
CONTROL
Low (2):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ can make contractual requirements to influence suppliers (except naphtha) (2) ;
Prioritized in 1 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.4 (3) ;
X
10. PRODUCT DEVELOP.- ENVIRONMENT
IMPORTANCE
High (4):
Topic ranking in the consultations
4th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (4);
3rd in online survey (4);
Prioritized in 6 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.4 (3);
IMPACT
Medium (3):
18% of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s polymer revenue comes from products developed in the last 3 years
Other chains have more innovation potential (technology, telecommunications, automobiles)
CONTROL
Medium (3):
Development also depends on suppliers and customers (3) ;
Prioritized in 6 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.3 (3) ;
X
11. JOBS
IMPORTANCE
Low (2), except for the USA (4):
Topic ranking in the consultations:
18th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (2);
24th in online study (4);
Prioritized in 3 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.5 (4)
11b = considered one of the most important topics at the USA workshop
IMPACT
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is not labor-intensive (less than 0.1% of industrial jobs in Brazil)
the plastics chain, however, generates around 5% of industrial jobs in Brazil
CONTROL
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ does not control job generation for its suppliers or customers, but can influence their growth (2) ;
Prioritized in 3 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.5 (4) ;
X
12. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
IMPORTANCE
Medium (3):
Topic ranking in the consultations:
24th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (1);
25th in online survey overall (1),
but 1st per Team Members (4)
Was not prioritized in the workshops
IMPACT
Low (2):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is not labor-intensive
Considering indirect jobs also, it generates less than 0.5% of industrial jobs in Brazil.
CONTROL
Strong (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ controls the topic in its operations, including for supervised contractors, through contracts (4) ;
X
13. HEALTH AND SAFETY
IMPORTANCE
High (4):
Topic ranking in the consultations
1st per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (4);
1st in online survey (4);
Prioritized in 7 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.7 (4)
IMPACT
High (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the largest producer in the country of some toxic products
Due to the stocks of hazardous products, there are high risks
CONTROL
Strong (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ has total control over these risks (4) ;
Prioritized in 7 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.6 (4) ;
X
14. TRAINING AND CAREER
IMPORTANCE
Medium (3):
Topic ranking in the consultations
9th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (3);
6th in online survey (4);
Prioritized in 1 workshop with Team Members (Bahia), with an average score of 3.0 (3)
IMPACT
Irrelevant (1):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is not labor-intensive. Less than 0.1% of industrial jobs in Brazil
CONTROL
Strong (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is able to control this matter (4) ;
Prioritized in 1 internal workshop (Bahia), with a high score of 3.8 (4) ;
X
15. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
IMPORTANCE
Medium (3):
Topic ranking in the consultations
13th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (3);
4th in online survey (4);
Was not prioritized in the workshops
IMPACT
Irrelevant (1):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is not labor-intensive. Less than 0.1% of industrial jobs in Brazil
CONTROL
Strong (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ can control this matter (4) ;
X
16. COMPANY SECURITY GUARDS
IMPORTANCE
Irrelevant (1):
Topic ranking in the consultations
26th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (1);
27th in online survey (1);
Was not prioritized in the workshops
IMPACT
Irrelevant (1):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s expenditures on private security are less than 1% of this market.
CONTROL
Strong (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½, by means of its contracts, is fully capable of controlling this matter (4) ;
X
17. SAFE USE OF BRASKEM'S PRODUCTS
IMPORTANCE
Medium (3):
Topic ranking in the consultations
5th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (4);
13th in online survey (3);
Prioritized in 2 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.0 (3)
IMPACT
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ produces and sells some hazardous and toxic products, but handling takes place in industrial settings, which are more controlled
CONTROL
Low (2):
The safe use of chemical products depends on suppliers and customers (2) ;
Prioritized in 2 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 2.6 (3) ;
X
18. GRIEVANCE MECHANISMS
IMPORTANCE
Irrelevant (1):
Topic ranking in the consultations
19th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (2);
22nd in online survey (1);
Was not prioritized in the workshops
IMPACT
Low (2):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is a B2B company, and therefore has a lower number of interactions than B2C companies
CONTROL
Strong (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is able to control the matter (4) ;
X
19. SUPPLIERS - SOCIAL MANAGEMENT
IMPORTANCE
Low (2):
Topic ranking in the consultations
17th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (2);
23rd in online survey (1);
Prioritized in 1 external workshop (São Paulo) with a high score of 3.6 (4)
IMPACT
Low (2):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is not a large indirect employer. Our supply chain would generate 3% of industrial jobs in Brazil at most.
CONTROL
Low (2):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ can make contractual requirements to influence suppliers (excluding naphtha) (2) ;
Prioritized in 1 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.4 (3) ;
X
20. ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
IMPORTANCE
Medium (3):
Topic ranking in the consultations
2nd per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (4);
10th in online survey (3);
Prioritized in 4 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.3 (3)
IMPACT
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the 15th largest company by EBITDA in Brazil and number 1 in the industry.
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the 21st largest chemical company in the world
CONTROL
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ controls some variables, but there are numerous others that define the ability to define the profit (3) ;
Prioritized in 4 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.4 (3) ;
X
21. COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS & RELATIONSHIPS
IMPORTANCE
Low (2):
Topic ranking in the consultations
27th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (1);
17th online survey (2);
Prioritized in 6 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.3 (3);
IMPACT
High (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is likely among the 10 largest industrial investors in community benefits in Brazil
CONTROL
Strong (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is able to control the matter (4) ;
Prioritized in 6 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.1 (3) ;
X
22. RECEIPT OF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
IMPORTANCE
Irrelevant (1):
Topic ranking in the consultations
25th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (1);
26th online survey (1);
Was not prioritized in the workshops
IMPACT
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the 49th largest taxpayer in Brazil
CONTROL
Low (2):
The most ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ can do is request the benefit, but the decision is beyond ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ (2) ;
X
23. LOCAL SUPPLIERS
IMPORTANCE
Low (2):
Topic ranking in the consultations
15th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (2);
12th online survey (3);
Prioritized in 1 internal workshop (Bahia) with an average score of 3.0 (3)
IMPACT
High (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is not a large generator of indirect employment, but can be very important for the cities in which it has operations. Example: Maceio, Camacari, Triunfo, Duque de Caxias etc.
CONTROL
Low (2):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ may wish to engage, but local suppliers may not exist (2) ;
Prioritized in 1 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3 (3) ;
X
24. FREE COMPETITION
IMPORTANCE
Medium (3):
Topic ranking in the consultations
22dn per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (2);
21st online survey (2);
9th for customers in the survey (3)
Was not prioritized in the workshops
IMPACT
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the 21st largest chemical company in the world.
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the largest resin producer in the Americas
CONTROL
Strong (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is able to control the matter (4) ;
X
25. FRAUD AND CORRUPTION
IMPORTANCE
Low (2):
Topic ranking in the consultations
20th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (2);
16th in online survey (2);
Was not prioritized in the workshops
IMPACT
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ can define a series of procedures to reduce the risks of illicit negotiations, but they can happen regardless
CONTROL
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ may define a series of procedures to reduce the risks of illicit negotiations, but they can happen regardless (3) ;
X
26. CONTRIBUTION TO PUBLIC POLICY
IMPORTANCE
High (4):
Topic ranking in the consultations
7th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (4);
19th online survey (2);
Prioritized in 2 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.7 (3)
IMPACT
High (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the 2nd largest chemical manufacturer in Brazil revenue-wise
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the 49th largest taxpayer in Brazil
CONTROL
Low (2):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ may attempt to have an influence, but decisions are beyond its control (2) ;
Prioritized in 2 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 2.5 (3) ;
X
27. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - SOCIAL
IMPORTANCE
High (4):
Topic ranking in the consultations
6th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (4);
5th online survey (4);
Prioritized in 2 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.5 (4)
IMPACT
High (4):
Plastic components reduce costs of final products
Other chains have more innovation potential (technology, telecommunications, automobiles)
CONTROL
Medium (3):
Development also depends on suppliers and customers (3) ;
Prioritized in 2 out of 8 workshops with a high score of 3.5 (4) ;
X
28. LABOR FROM LOCAL COMMUNITIES
IMPORTANCE
Medium (3):
Topic ranking in the consultations
21st per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (2);
15th in online survey (2);
5th for Team Members (4);
Prioritized in 3 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.3 (3)
IMPACT
High (4):
The plastics chain generates around 5% of the industrial jobs in Brazil, which, if applied to a location, may be very relevant
CONTROL
Medium (3):
The participation of other parties is required to train the local workforce.
Prioritized in 3 out of 8 workshops with an average score of 3.8 (4) ;
X
29. TRANSPARENCY AND INTEGRITY
IMPORTANCE
High (4):
Topic ranking in the consultations
8th per ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Leaders (3);
8th online survey (4);
Prioritized in 5 out of 8 workshops with a high score of 3.7 (4)
IMPACT
Medium (3):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the 7th largest private company in Brazil
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ does not deal B2C, which reduces its exposure
CONTROL
Strong (4):
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is able to control the matter (4) ;
Prioritized in 5 out of 8 workshops with a high score of 3.8 (4) ;
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s impact and/or that of its value chain is a major factor in the topic's outcome. The topic is relevant on a global scale, or, if it is local, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ makes relevant contributions in the majority of its operating regions.
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s impact and/or that of its value chain contributes to the topic, but ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½/its value chain is one of the largest agents only in some of its regions of operation.
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s impact and/or that of its value chain influences the topic outcome, but ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ /its chain is at most a medium-sized agent in its operating regions .
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s impact and/or that of its value chain does not change the outcome of the topic.
The topic is of high relevance to internal and external stakeholders
The topic is of medium relevance to internal and external stakeholders, or of high relevance to a specific stakeholder
The topic is of low relevance to internal and external stakeholders
The topic is irrelevant for internal and external stakeholders
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ has no significant control or influence in regard to this topic. The result depends on the actions of others.
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ does not control the matter, but can influence its stakeholders. The result depends more on others than on ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½.
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ controls the matter in its operations and/or significantly influences its stakeholders. The result depends on the collective measures taken by the parties.
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ controls the matter and is the main responsible for the outcome.