In an era marked by increasing environmental concerns, the imperative for sustainability has transcended individual responsibility to become a collective mission.

This reality holds true for all sectors, including the coatings industry, where collaboration is paramount in propelling sustainability forward. By recognizing that sustainability is everyone’s responsibility, understanding the need for an interconnected and environmentally responsible value chain, and ensuring accountability, companies can achieve profound positive impacts on the environment and society.

Sustainability is Everyone’s Responsibility

The notion that sustainability is solely the domain of environmentalists or the sustainability department within a company is outdated. It is imperative to recognize that it is a shared responsibility that extends to every individual.

From the boardroom to the manufacturing floor, everyone plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable practices. When employees are educated and empowered to contribute to sustainability efforts, they become invested stakeholders in achieving a company’s environmental targets.

Everyone is Someone Else’s Customer

In a globalized world, where supply chains span continents, the principle that “everyone is someone else’s customer” holds tremendous significance.

The customer’s demand for sustainable products and services shapes the behavior of manufacturers, who, in turn, influence their suppliers. Recognizing this interdependency is vital, as it encourages all stakeholders to prioritize sustainability throughout the value chain.

One example of this is PPG’s collaboration with Steelcase, an American manufacturer of architecture, furniture and technology products. In 2022, PPG made around 250,000 pounds of recycled coatings from powder coatings used by Steelcase. The process has removed this waste stream for our customer, reducing their environmental impact and saving thousands of dollars in waste handling fees. The collaboration is also opening the door for more innovative circularity initiatives.

Similar Needs Across the Value Chain

Although there are many stakeholders along the value chain – from suppliers to coatings manufacturers to final consumers – there are many common needs. Sustainable practices, such as using low-temperature-cure coatings, compact layering systems, and bio-based or recycled materials, can be beneficial to various players in that value chain. By sharing knowledge and collaborating on sustainable solutions, industry stakeholders can address these common needs more effectively and efficiently, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continued progress.

Value Chain Accountability: Your Scope 1 And 2 is Someone Else’s Scope 3

To truly embrace sustainability, companies must be accountable at every stage of the value chain. Each entity involved must recognize their role in achieving sustainable outcomes. This entails engaging in responsible sourcing, adopting sustainable production processes, and promoting sustainable distribution and end-of-use practices.

By holding themselves accountable through transparent targets and progress, companies can create a culture of integrity that drives positive change.

Organizations must be held responsible for their direct emissions (scope 1) and those from purchased energy (scope 2), but also for the indirect emissions resulting from their entire value chain (scope 3). Acknowledging the interconnectedness of your scope 1 and 2 emissions being someone else’s scope 3 is crucial. By addressing the full range of greenhouse gas emissions collectively, industry players can collaboratively mitigate their environmental impact.

As we navigate the challenges of environmental degradation, the significance of collaboration in furthering sustainability efforts cannot be overstated. The coatings industry, like many others, thrives on interconnectedness and shared value chains.

By recognizing sustainability as a shared responsibility, understanding the interconnected needs throughout the value
chain, and ensuring accountability, companies can drive meaningful change. Through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the pursuit of innovative solutions, the industry can transition towards a future where sustainability is at the core of every product and process, benefiting not only the environment but also the companies and consumers who rely on them. Let’s come together and embrace the power of collaboration to create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

Mike Stucky is customer sustainability business partner for PPG’s industrial coatings and aerospace businesses. He is responsible for creating differentiated value, working closely alongside suppliers and customers to meet their sustainability needs and driving growth through sustainably advantaged products and services. He earned a degree in chemical engineering and an MBA from Michigan State University.