Sustainable solutions to drive growth

Q2 "New quality productive forces" is widely seen as key to helping China achieve industrial upgrade and "high-quality development". How can your company help cultivate such forces in China?

YIN: We actively support China's industrial upgrade and high-quality development, and collaborate closely with our customers, suppliers and key stakeholders in driving this high-quality development. Our suppliers in China have started working with us to reduce carbon emissions, benefiting the entire supply chain. We are one of the first coatings companies to provide powder coating solutions for the EV industry in China. Our decorative paint solutions have been leading bio-based solutions to create a healthier living space. Therefore, Akzo Nobel has a lot to offer new quality productive forces with our leading technology.

ZHOU: Sustainable development is integral to new quality productive forces. As a leading, innovation-focused consumer company in nutrition, health and beauty, sustainability lies at the heart of our development and business activities. From fragrances and food to micronutrients, we address the latest consumer needs and desires in a sustainable way. We are determined to keep increasing our positive impact and raising our standards in helping to tackle climate change and protect nature. Aligned with China's dual carbon goals, sustainability remains central to our strategy. In 2024, dsm-firmenich China achieved a 65 percent renewable electricity utilization rate. Earlier this year, our Chifeng plant secured a 25-year renewable energy agreement to accelerate green transition. As of now, six operational sites have signed five-year (2024-28) 100 percent renewable electricity purchase agreements.

CHEN: Syensqo's strategy is centered on creating advanced, sustainable solutions that help drive growth. The company's pursuit of sustainable development through innovation is highly in line with the new quality productive forces. Syensqo is investing 4 percent of its turnover in research and innovation. Many of the innovations in biotechnology and chemistry are offering fundamental solutions to develop materials that are lighter in weight, lower in carbon emissions and thus enable many critical sectors. We have set a target of 18 percent of sales from products that enable circularity by 2030 and are already at 16 percent. Achieving carbon neutrality and net zero requires a fundamental shift in supply chain management, focusing on sustainability. Now 100 percent of Syensqo's sites in China use renewable purchased energy and share best practices and technological advancements with our partners and suppliers in China, leading to faster and more impactful decarbonization.

SHEN: Our efforts are driven by substantial investments in innovation-focused automotive technologies, particularly in intelligence, software-defined vehicle and sustainable practices. Innovation is central to Marelli's strategy and permeates our operations. We collaborate with customers and suppliers from the earliest design phases, leveraging cutting-edge digital tools such as digital twins and aligned strategic roadmaps, to foster joint innovation and deliver tangible business value. Our emphasis on design-led innovation allows us to provide personalized, and intuitive vehicle experiences, powered by advanced, flexible and cloud-connected technologies. With our "China for China; China for Global" strategy, Marelli consistently leverages local innovation capabilities to generate globally competitive automotive solutions, significantly contributing to the growth of China's high quality productive forces. Meanwhile, we have leveraged local strengths to extend these innovative productive forces to global markets.