“The strength of our portfolio is evident in the diversity of our customer base and the global nature of our businesses. That strength is supported by the cost discipline of our team, and our ability to bring innovative, new and sustainable solutions to market in a timely way,” he said.

Shaver said the company’s targeted transformation activities are continuing to yield positive results. For example, its acquisition of the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) business of J.M. Huber Corp. in 2020 allowed Nouryon to significantly broaden its portfolio of products in CMC, a sustainable, bio-based water-soluble polymer that is used in a broad range of end markets from home and personal care, to buildings, food and pharmaceuticals. Strategic acquisitions such as this one and the divesting of non-core businesses, such as the company’s 2020 sale of redispersible polymer powders (RPP) and the recent announcement to divest its salt specialties business, underscore Nouryon’s strategy of being highly attuned to customer needs and creating scale that will help it become a world leader in key specialty chemicals markets. The rebranding of the Industrial Chemicals business to Nobian further strengthens this strategy by positioning Nouryon to focus on and grow its leading position in global specialty chemicals.

Building on its 2020 EcoVadis Silver rating achievement, Nouryon committed to enhanced sustainability targets, specifically to reduce its carbon emissions by 25% and increase its share of low-carbon and renewable energy to 60% by 2025. The company also launched new sustainable products in 2020 to support its customers to achieve their targets too, including anti-viral paint coatings, biodegradable crop protection ingredients, and products for cool roof coatings that reduce the need for air conditioning.