Turning Sustainability into Value Across the Chemical Supply Chain

Michael Heite, Group Sustainability Director, Azelis

© Azelis

As sustainability moves from ambition to expectation, chemical distributors are under growing pressure to turn ESG commitments into tangible results. In this interview, Michael Heite, Group Sustainability Director, Azelis, explains how Azelis is integrating sustainability across the entire value chain—from supplier engagement to product formulation—to deliver both environmental impact and business value.

CHEManager: Sustainability is becoming a core requirement in the chemical industry. How is Azelis approaching this transformative shift?

Michael Heite: Sustainability only matters if it translates into real impact and real business value. That is the mindset behind everything we do.

We see sustainability as a fundamental part of how we operate, not as a separate initiative. With our Impact 2030 programme, we have moved from setting ambitions to delivering measurable impact, guided by frameworks like SBTi and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The key for us is integration. Sustainability is embedded across the value chain, from sourcing and product development to customer engagement. That enables us to support both our principals and our customers in achieving their goals in a practical and scalable way.

Supply chain defossilization is a major challenge. What role do you play in this transition?