EU taxonomy

The EU taxonomy of sustainable economic activities is a tool to help investors understand whether an economic activity is environmentally sustainable and consistent with high-level policy commitments such as the Paris Agreement. Corbion has not applied the amendments introduced by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/73 of 4 July 2025. 

To classify an activity as 'environmentally sustainable,' a distinction between taxonomy-eligibility and taxonomy-alignment is required. If an activity meets the description in the EU taxonomy delegated regulations, it is considered taxonomy-eligible. Activities can be considered “environmentally sustainable” if the following criteria are met (taxonomy-alignment):

  • Contribute substantially to at least one of six environmental objectives listed in the taxonomy; and

  • Do no significant harm to any of the other objectives while meeting the minimal social safeguards, aligning with the UN Guiding Principles and the OECD Guidelines.

The six environmental objectives of the taxonomy are: (1) climate change mitigation, (2) climate change adaptation, (3) sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, (4) transition to a circular economy, (5) pollution prevention and control, and (6) protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.

The tables on the next pages disclose the eligibility and alignment of Corbion’s business activities with the EU taxonomy, which is determined in two steps:

Step 1: Eligibility assessment

The economic activities defined in the final Taxonomy Environmental Delegated Act were screened for applicability to Corbion, to determine which of Corbion’s business activities are eligible.

We produce two products which fall under EU taxonomy categories. These products fall in the following categories: production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (PPC 1.1 Manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) or active substances) and the production of polymers (CCM 3.17 Manufacture of plastics in primary form).

In addition, we have some supporting activities under the Climate Delegated Act, such as the operation of wastewater treatment facilities (5.1 CCM), acquisition and ownership of buildings (CCM 7.7), and Manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment (CE 1.2), Transport by motorbikes, passenger cars, and light commercial vehicles (CCM 6.5), mainly related to CapEx.

None of Corbion’s other business activities are considered to be eligible for climate change adaptation, water, and biodiversity.

Step 2: Alignment assessment

For our eligible activities (active pharmaceutical ingredients and polymers) we cannot yet claim alignment, as we do not meet the technical screening criteria for CCM 3.17 and PPC 1.1.

For the eligible supporting activities, we have not done the assessment on alignment as they are not material to our business, therefore we do not claim alignment for these activities.

We do not expect our alignment percentage to increase in the future. Although we have a net zero transition plan in place, this does not increase the alignment of our main eligible activities (PPC 1.1 and CCM 3.17), and we do not assess alignment of our supporting activities.

EU taxonomy versus SDGs

Compared to Corbion's SDG assessment, which determines the alignment of Corbion's activities with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the EU taxonomy does not include the contribution of biobased chemicals and of food waste reduction to climate change mitigation and to the transition to a circular economy. The EU taxonomy also does not consider the contribution of solutions such as AlgaPrime DHA to the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems. Finally, the EU taxonomy currently focuses mainly on environmental objectives. Corbion's SDG assessment also considers social objectives, specifically activities that contribute to SDG 2 (Zero hunger) and SDG 3 (Good health and well-being).

Corbion does not engage in any Nuclear or Fossil Gas activities.