Evonik Adds Low-Carbon-Footprint Peracetic Acid to European Portfolio Without Requiring Formulation Changes

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(IN BRIEF) Evonik is launching peracetic acid with a significantly reduced carbon footprint for the European market, allowing customers to lower Scope 3 emissions without making changes to formulations, logistics or regulatory authorisations. The lower-carbon product is being offered by Evonik’s Active Oxygens business line through a certified mass balance approach that follows ISO 22095-2:2026 and the Together for Sustainability guideline 2024, with independent certification by TÜV Rheinland. Peracetic acid, or PAA, is a broad-spectrum disinfectant made mainly from hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid, and it breaks down after use into water, oxygen and acetic acid. Evonik’s lower-carbon PAA uses bio-based acetic acid together with the company’s low-carbon-footprint hydrogen peroxide. The company will issue an LCF pass that helps customers transparently document emissions reductions while maintaining the same product quality, performance and biocidal regulatory framework. The product is available immediately across Evonik’s PAA portfolio and supports the Active Oxygens business line’s roadmap toward net-zero emissions by 2040.

(PRESS RELEASE) HANAU, 11-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Evonik is introducing peracetic acid with a significantly reduced carbon footprint to the European market, giving customers a way to lower Scope 3 emissions without changing product formulations, logistics processes or regulatory authorisations.

The new offering comes from Evonik’s Active Oxygens business line and uses a certified mass balance approach to allocate lower-carbon inputs to its peracetic acid portfolio. The method follows the latest ISO standards and has been independently certified by TÜV Rheinland.

Peracetic acid, also known as PAA, is a broad-spectrum disinfectant used across a wide range of applications. It is mainly composed of hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid, the naturally occurring substance that gives vinegar its sharp taste. After use, PAA breaks down into water, oxygen and acetic acid, leaving little chemical residue in the environment.

Evonik said it is now building on the product’s positive environmental profile by reducing its carbon footprint through the use of inputs from renewable resources. The company’s lower-carbon PAA is produced using bio-based acetic acid together with Evonik’s low-carbon-footprint hydrogen peroxide.

Christoph Batz-Sohn, Director for Sustainable Transformation at Evonik’s Active Oxygens business line, said Active Oxygens is already progressing on its roadmap toward net-zero emissions by 2040. He said customers can benefit before that target date through the mass balance approach, which identifies the share of PAA with a lower carbon footprint and enables Evonik to issue an LCF pass for the product.

The LCF pass gives customers transparent documentation that can support Scope 3 emissions reductions. Evonik said the lower-carbon product maintains the same quality, performance and regulatory framework as conventional PAA, including existing biocidal approvals.

The mass balance approach calculates a product’s carbon footprint by measuring the proportion of sustainable inputs, such as raw materials and energy, used in production. Evonik applies ISO 22095-2:2026 and the Together for Sustainability guideline 2024 for the calculation.

Evonik said the solution is already attracting attention from companies in the peracetic acid value chain that are seeking to reduce environmental impacts. Johannes Peter Kiehl, CEO of international cleaning agent manufacturer JOHANNES KIEHL KG, said KIEHL prioritises circularity and lower environmental impact across production and product design. He said Evonik’s LCF pass will help the company further reduce Scope 3 emissions and support its sustainability commitments to customers, partners and regulators.

The low-carbon-footprint PAA is available immediately across all PAA brands in Evonik’s portfolio. The launch supports the sustainability strategy of Evonik’s Active Oxygens business line and its wider roadmap toward net-zero production.

Evonik is a global specialty chemicals company headquartered in Essen, Germany. The company operates in more than 100 countries and generated sales of €14.1 billion and adjusted EBITDA of €1.9 billion in 2025. Evonik employs around 31,000 people worldwide.

The company’s Advanced Technologies segment includes businesses focused on high-performance polymers and crosslinking agents, hydrogen peroxide, silica and feed ingredients. In 2025, the segment generated sales of €5.9 billion and employed around 9,200 people.

Evonik: Leading beyond chemistry

Evonik goes beyond the boundaries of chemistry with its combination of innovative strength and leading technological expertise. The global chemical company, headquartered in Essen, Germany, is active in more than 100 countries and generated sales of €14.1 billion and earnings (adjusted EBITDA) of €1.9 billion in 2025. The common motivation of the approximately 31,000 employees: to provide customers with a decisive competitive advantage with tailor-made products and solutions as a superforce for industry, thereby improving people’s lives. In all markets. Every day.

About Advanced Technologies

The Advanced Technologies segment includes Evonik’s market-leading businesses that leverage technological expertise and process know-how. These businesses feature high-performance polymers and crosslinking agents, hydrogen peroxide and silica, as well as feed ingredients. In 2025, the segment generated sales of €5.9 billion with around 9,200 employees.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.

Media Contacts:

Nikki Eggers
Head of Market Communications Active Oxygens
+49 6181 59 12013
nikki.eggers@evonik.com

Nina Peck
Head of Market Communications Advanced Technologies
+49 201 177-2223
nina.peck@evonik.com

SOURCE: Evonik