Sustainability

2024 sustainability report prepared using the voluntary VSME Basic Module
Focus on energy, emissions, water, waste, safety, employees and responsible business
Four ambitions towards 2030 covering products, operations, expertise and value chain collaboration

AD International develops, manufactures and supplies chemical solutions and specialist services for professional industrial markets. Product performance, safety, environmental management, compliance and continuity come together in the way we operate.

Responsible business starts with insight

We therefore do not treat sustainability as a separate subject. It is part of how we develop products, manage chemical processes, support employees and work with customers and suppliers. Our approach is structured and progressive: first establish reliable data and processes, then make targeted improvements and report transparently on progress.

In 2024, AD International prepared its first sustainability report using the voluntary VSME Basic Module. The report establishes our baseline and provides the foundation for further objectives and actions towards 2030.

Our sustainability baseline

Our sustainability report provides a structured baseline for the further development of our sustainability approach. It brings together the main environmental, social and governance topics within our organisation and helps us determine where better data, clearer objectives and targeted improvements are needed.

Detailed data and reporting boundaries are available in the AD International 2024 Sustainability Report.
Renewable electricity	The electricity purchased for our operations is sourced as renewable electricity.
Understanding our environmental impact	Energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption are included in our sustainability baseline. We are improving the way these and other environmental data are recorded and monitored.
Safe and healthy working environment	Occupational health and safety remain central to our operations. We invest in safe working practices, instruction, training and an open reporting culture.
A foundation for further progress	The baseline helps us set priorities, develop measurable objectives and report more transparently on our progress towards 2030.

Our approach towards 2030

Four connected ambitions guide the further development of our products, organisation and collaboration across the value chain.

Future Proof Solutions

We invest strategically in R&D and product development. The focus is on chemical solutions that may, depending on the application and subject to technical validation, help reduce the use of water, energy or process chemicals, while requirements for corrosion protection, paint adhesion and process stability remain central. Towards 2030, we aim to define and communicate sustainability characteristics within the portfolio more clearly.

Sustainable Operations

Within our own operations, we are improving our understanding of energy use, emissions, water flows, waste and packaging. Measures implemented in 2024 included replacing conventional lighting with LED lighting, installing more energy-efficient heating and cooling systems in specific areas, and identifying and repairing air leaks. The next step is to record operational data more systematically so that improvement measures can be selected and monitored more effectively.

Knowledge & Expertise

Technical expertise and safe working practices are essential in a chemical production environment. We therefore invest in instruction, training, onboarding, professional development and an open reporting culture. Long-term employability, ergonomics and psychosocial workload also form part of the improvement agenda towards 2030.

Connected Value Chain

A significant part of the potential impact occurs across the value chain. We therefore aim to strengthen collaboration with customers, suppliers, distributors, industry associations and knowledge partners. Priorities include better product data, clear instructions for use and processing, supplier assessments that include sustainability criteria, and the development of alternatives to substances facing increasing regulatory or societal pressure.

Potential impact for customers

In metal surface treatment, actual environmental performance is determined by the complete system: substrate, pretreatment, application method, bath management, rinsing configuration, temperature, coating system, line settings and maintenance. We therefore assess potential sustainability benefits in conjunction with the technical requirements of the process.

Depending on the application, chemical solutions can contribute to lower process temperatures, fewer process stages, reduced use of water or chemicals, lower reject rates, or a longer service life for metal components through adequate corrosion protection. Actual results vary by process line and must be assessed in advance and, where necessary, confirmed through practical testing.

Safety, environment and responsible business

AD International operates management systems and uses external assessments that provide structure for quality, environmental management, occupational health and safety, and responsible business conduct. These include ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, participation in Responsible Care and an EcoVadis Bronze rating. AD International also uses SEDEX SMETA to assess social and ethical topics, while the production site operates under the applicable Seveso III requirements.

Market-specific approvals and qualifications are also relevant to selected products and applications, including QUALICOAT, QUALIMARINE, QUALANOD, GSB and QUALISTEELCOAT or QIB. The applicable approval depends on the product, substrate and coating system.

More information about our management systems, assessments and current certificates is available on the Quality & Compliance page.

Transparency and further information

The 2024 report is our first structured baseline assessment. Not every topic has yet been fully quantified. Scope 3 emissions have not yet been mapped, while the recording of waste streams, packaging and product-related environmental data is being developed further. By making this baseline visible, we can set priorities and monitor progress more effectively.

Further information from the 2024 sustainability report, relevant certificates, and documentation for specific products or applications is available on request.

Contact