Röhm has improved its EcoVadis sustainability rating for 2025 and received the gold award. With this result, the company now ranks among the top 5 percent of all companies assessed worldwide by EcoVadis in the last 12 months. EcoVadis annually evaluates corporate sustainability performance based on an extensive questionnaire, covering the areas of environment and climate, labor and human rights, sustainable procurement, and good corporate governance. On this basis, EcoVadis compiles a ranking of the best-rated companies.
According to Röhm, the latest result reflects a continuous development of its sustainability activities and the contribution of employees across the organization. The assessment builds on a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the company's business and procurement activities on the environment, labor and human rights, as well as ethical aspects. Röhm's ESG Report 2024, which serves as the company's non-financial statement, provided important input for the evaluation and helped document measures and progress in the relevant areas.
Top 5 percent ranking and employee commitment
Commenting on the rating, Hans-Peter Hauck, Chief Operating Officer of Röhm, emphasized the significance of the result in the current market environment. "This is an excellent result and anything but a matter of course in these challenging times," he said. "This success is an expression of the effort and commitment of all employees at Röhm. We will not let up in terms of sustainability." With the current rating, Röhm is listed among the top 5 percent of all companies assessed by EcoVadis over the past year worldwide.
Röhm reports that the company has shown particular improvement in the categories of labor and human rights, ethical conduct, and sustainable procurement. These areas are directly linked to internal policies, supplier management, and compliance structures, and they form a central part of EcoVadis' methodology.
Focus on labor, human rights, ethics and procurement
The basis for the EcoVadis rating was a detailed review of Röhm's business practices and supply chain with regard to environmental impacts, labor and human rights, and ethical standards. The company notes that the ESG Report 2024 supported this process by consolidating relevant data and measures in a structured form. According to Röhm, the greatest progress compared to previous assessments was achieved in labor and human rights, ethical action, and sustainable procurement.
These improvements are attributed to coordinated efforts within the organization. "This success was made possible by the great commitment of a cross-departmental team," said Peter Reinhard, who is responsible for sustainability programs at Röhm. Cross-functional cooperation within the company is described as a key factor in implementing and documenting measures that respond to EcoVadis requirements.
EcoVadis as an established benchmark in the chemical industry
Röhm has been participating in the EcoVadis rating since 2020. Over this period, the assessment has become firmly established as a benchmark for evaluating sustainability performance, particularly in the chemical industry. Many of Röhm's customers and suppliers also take part in the EcoVadis system, which, according to the company, enables a constructive dialogue at eye level about sustainability expectations and performance along the value chain.
In addition to its role in business relationships, the EcoVadis label is increasingly relevant for financial stakeholders. Röhm observes that financial markets, as well as customers and suppliers, are more frequently aligning their purchasing and financing decisions with external sustainability ratings such as EcoVadis. This gives the results a function beyond internal benchmarking, as they can influence access to business opportunities and capital.
Röhm links each improvement in its EcoVadis rating to measurable progress in the areas of environment, social issues, and governance. The company sees the current gold award as confirmation of its course in these fields and as an incentive to further develop its sustainability management. The focus remains on environmental performance, protection of labor and human rights, ethical business practices, and sustainable procurement processes.
Together for Sustainability: Peter Reinhard (responsible for sustainability programs), Hans-Peter Hauck (COO), and Andrea Fruth (Head of Sustainability), celebrate the award. Photo: Röhm
