Environment

Total greenhouse gas emissions

XLS

Total greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2 of the GHG Protocol)¹

metric kilotons

2006²

2016

2017

2018³

2019⁴

1	In line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, for all previous years (up to the 2006 baseline) the greenhouse gas emissions have been calculated based on the current corporate structure as of Dec. 31 of the reporting year and retroactively adjusted for acquisitions (e.g. Sigma-Aldrich in 2015) or divestments of (parts of) companies, or for changes in emission factors (portfolio-adjusted).
2	Baseline for our emission targets is 2006.
3	Since 2018, our reported figures have excluded the Consumer Health business, which was divested on December 1, 2018.
4	The figures exclude Versum Materials since the integration process is still underway. Based on the figures Versum Materials reported for the previous two years (not calculated in accordance with our metrics), we expect this to add roughly 1.3 million metric tons of CO₂eq per year to our carbon footprint. More information can be found under Report profile.
5	eq = equivalent
6	Figure retroactively adjusted.

Total CO₂eq⁵ emissions

782

681

689

666⁶

665

Thereof

direct CO₂eq emissions

378

384

373

353⁶

359

indirect CO₂eq emissions

404

297

316

313⁶

306

Biogenic CO₂ emissions

Our response to the Carbon Disclosure Project contains a detailed description of our calculation methods.

We have included the following gases in our calculation of direct and indirect CO₂eq emissions:

Direct CO₂ emissions: CO₂, HFCs, PFCs; CH4/N2O negligible; SF6/NF3 not available.

Indirect CO2 emissions: CO2.

In 2019, we emitted 0.041 kg of CO₂eq per euro of net sales.

Other relevant indirect greenhouse gas emissions

XLS

Other relevant indirect greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 3 of the GHG Protocol)¹

2016

2017

2018²

2019³

1	Because of the characteristics of the Scope 3 emissions data we do not correct these data subsequently.
2	Since 2018, our reported figures have excluded the Consumer Health business, which was divested on December 1, 2018.
3	The figures exclude Versum Materials since the integration process is still underway. Exception: Category 7: The figure is based on the headcount as of December 31, 2019 and thus includes Versum Materials. With the exception of scope 3 category 6 emissions, the data from Intermolecular are already included. More information can be found under Report profile.
4	eq = equivalent
5	This figure covers roughly 95% of the employees of the Merck Group because the data for the employees of Sigma-Aldrich, acquired in November 2015, are only partially available.
6	German Railway
7	Already covered under Scope 1 and 2 emissions
8	Merck produces a huge variety of intermediate products for various purposes. Due to their many applications and our customer structure, the associated greenhouse gas emissions cannot be tracked in a reasonable fashion.

Total gross other indirect emissions (metric kilotons CO₂eq⁴)

426

353

380

373

Fuel- and energy-related emissions, not included in Scope 1 or 2 (category 3)

127

118

131

127

Waste generated in operations (category 5)

127

Business travel - air travel (category 6)

103⁵

103

Business travel - rail travel⁶ (category 6)

0.02

Business travel - rental car travel (category 6)

0.6

1.4

1.3

Employee commuting (category 7)

Upstream leased assets (category 8)

0.0⁷

Processing of sold products (category 10)

0.0⁸

Downstream leased assets (category 13)

Franchises (category 14)

No data are available for Scope 3 categories not listed above. Their relevance to Merck is assessed in the Scope 3 document.

Biogenic emissions (Scope 3), if present, are not being recorded.

Emissions of ozone-depleting substances

XLS

Emissions of ozone-depleting substances

metric tons

2016

2017

2018¹

2019²

1	Since 2018, our reported figures have excluded the Consumer Health business, which was divested on December 1, 2018.
2	The figures exclude Versum Materials since the integration process is still underway. More information can be found under Report profile.
3	CFC-11eq is a unit of measure used to compare the potential of various substances to deplete the ozone. Reference value 1 indicates the potential of CFC-11 to cause the depletion of the ozone layer.

Total emissions of ozone-depleting substances

2.2

1.9

1.5

1.0

CFC-11eq³

0.1

Substances included: R-12, R-22, R-123, R-141b, R-401a, R-402a, R408a, R-409a, R-502.

Source for the emission factors: Montreal Protocol.

Other air emissions

XLS

Other air emissions

metric kilotons

2016

2017

2018¹

2019²

1	Since 2018, our reported figures have excluded the Consumer Health business, which was divested on December 1, 2018.
2	The figures exclude Versum Materials since the integration process is still underway. More information can be found under Report profile.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC)

0.3

Nitrogen oxide

0.2

0.3

Sulfur dioxide

0.05

0.03

0.01

Dust

0.02

0.04

0.01

The VOC, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and dust emissions reported here are attributable to production activities as well as energy generation. These figures do not include emissions from vehicles. Emissions are determined partially based on measurements and partially based on calculations or estimates. Only some sites are required to measure individual parameters.

Transport of finished goods, by means of transportation

XLS

Transport of finished goods, by means of transportation

2016

2017

2018

2019¹

1	The figures exclude Versum Materials and Intermolecular since the integration process is still underway. For more information, see report profile.

% truck

% boat

% airplane

The figures contain the volumes of the biggest global distribution centers of our Healthcare, Life Science and Performance Materials business sectors. These figures pertain to the total weight of transported products and indicate the primary means of transport.

In shipping finished goods from our production sites to the local warehouses of our subsidiaries, we have been working to reduce the use of air shipping in favor of sea freight. This change aims to both reduce costs as well as lower transport-related CO₂ emissions.

Energy consumption

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Energy consumption¹

In GWh

2016

2017

2018²

2019³

1	In line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, for all previous years (up to the 2006 baseline) the energy consumption has been calculated based on the current corporate structure as of Dec. 31 of the reporting year and retroactively adjusted for acquisitions or divestments of (parts of) companies, or for changes in emission factors (portfolio-adjusted).
2	Since 2018, our reported figures have excluded the Consumer Health business, which was divested on December 1, 2018.
3	The figures exclude Versum Materials since the integration process is still underway. More information can be found under Report profile.
4	Figure retroactively adjusted.
5	Light and heavy fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), diesel and gasoline

Total energy consumption

2,117

2,194

2,227⁴

2,240

Direct energy consumption

1,330

1,319

1,323⁴

1,339

Natural gas

1,260

1,254

1,257⁴

1,273

Liquid fossil fuels⁵

Biomass and self-generated renewable energy

Indirect energy consumption

787

875

904⁴

901

Electricity

692

729

755⁴

756

Steam, heat, cold

146

149

145

Total energy sold

0.3

0.1

0.0

0.1

Electricity

0.3

0.1

0.0

0.1

Steam, heat, cold

In TJ

Total energy consumption

7,621

7,898

8,016⁴

8,065

Direct energy consumption

4,788

4,748

4,762⁴

4,821

Natural gas

4,536

4,514

4,525⁴

4,583

Liquid fossil fuels⁵

130

115

119

Biomass and self-generated renewable energy

122

119

122

119

Indirect energy consumption

2,833

3,150

3,254⁴

3,244

Electricity

2,491

2,624

2,718⁴

2,722

Steam, heat, cold

342

526

536

522

Total energy sold

1.1

0.4

0.0

0.4

Electricity

1.1

0.4

0.0

0.4

Steam, heat, cold

0.0

At our sites in Billerica (MA, United States), Bedford (MA, United States), Molsheim (France), Tel Aviv (Israel), Rome (Italy), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Shizuoka-ken (Japan), and Shanghai (China), we use photovoltaics to produce power.

Merck currently only records purchased secondary energy – this is primarily electricity and, to a lesser extent, heat/steam/cold. Details on the local energy mix, including the respective percentage of primary energy, renewable energy, etc. are not available. Data on local energy efficiency in electricity or heat generation are not available either. Our production sites are located in countries with a widely varying energy mix.

Our Darmstadt and Gernsheim sites in Germany consume the most energy, representing 28% of our Group-wide total. Here, fossil energy (coal, gas, etc.) accounts for approx. 49%, nuclear energy approx. 13% and renewable energies approx. 38% of the energy mix. Renewable energies account for a higher share of electricity generation at production sites in Switzerland, with nuclear energy taking the lead in France. Based on an estimated global energy efficiency of 37% for the conversion and distribution of generated electricity, this results in a primary energy consumption of 2,043 GWh for 2019. Based on an estimated global energy efficiency of 85% for heat/steam/cold, this results in a primary energy consumption of 170 GWh for 2019. This yields a total primary energy consumption of 2,213 GWh for 2019. (The calculation is based on factors stated in the “Manual for energy management in practice - Systematically reducing energy costs” published by DENA, 12/2012.)

In 2019, Merck's energy intensity relative to net sales totaled 0.14 kWh/€.

Water withdrawal

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Water withdrawal

millions of m³

2016

2017

2018¹

2019²

1	Since 2018, our reported figures have excluded the Consumer Health business, which was divested on December 1, 2018.
2	The figures exclude Versum Materials since the integration process is still underway. More information can be found under Report profile.
3	Figure retroactively adjusted.

Total water withdrawal

13.7³

14.0

14.7

14.0

Surface water (rivers, lakes)

1.8

1.9

2.1

1.9

Groundwater

7.2

7.3

7.2

6.8

Drinking water (from local suppliers)

4.7³

4.8

5.3

5.2

Rain water and other sources

0.01

0.00

0.05

These figures do not include the ground water that we use for safety measures at our Gernsheim site in Germany. Here, the water is fed back directly into natural circulation.

Water reused

XLS

Water reused

millions of m³

2016

2017

2018¹

2019²

1	Since 2018, our reported figures have excluded the Consumer Health business, which was divested on December 1, 2018.
2	The figures exclude Versum Materials since the integration process is still underway. More information can be found under Report profile.

Water reused

22.7

22.4

24.4

23.3

The recirculating cooling system at our Darmstadt, Germany facility accounts for the majority of reused water as it allows the water to be re-utilized multiple times. The volume of reused water is thus greater than the total volume of consumed water.

Wastewater volume and quality

XLS

Wastewater volume and quality¹

2016

2017

2018²

2019³

1	In alignment with ICCA reporting requirements specified by Cefic, we track heavy metal emissions from lead, cadmium, nickel, and mercury.
2	Since 2018, our reported figures have excluded the Consumer Health business, which was divested on December 1, 2018.
3	The figures exclude Versum Materials since the integration process is still underway. More information can be found under Report profile.
4	Figure retroactively adjusted.

Total wastewater volume (millions of m³)

12.9

13.1

13.5

13.2

Chemical oxygen demand (metric tons of O₃)

1,535

1,537⁴

1,509⁴

1,562

Phosphorous (metric tons)

10⁴

Nitrogen (metric tons)

378⁴

234

260⁴

481

Nickel (kg)

30⁴

Lead (kg)

30⁴

Cadmium (kg)

Mercury (kg)

The wastewater volume includes indirect discharge into both public and Merck-owned wastewater treatment plants, as well as direct discharge (such as rainwater and cooling water).

The wastewater treatment plant at our Gernsheim, Germany site also treats wastewater from the neighboring municipality of Biebesheim. The communal wastewater from Biebesheim is included in the wastewater volume as well as in the emissions stated in the table.

Emissions are determined partially based on measurements and partially based on calculations or estimates. Only some sites are required to measure individual parameters.

Hazardous and non-hazardous waste

XLS

Hazardous and non-hazardous waste

metric kilotons

2016

2017

2018¹

2019²

1	Since 2018, our reported figures have excluded the Consumer Health business, which was divested on December 1, 2018.
2	The figures exclude Versum Materials since the integration process is still underway. More information can be found under Report profile.
3	Figure retroactively adjusted.
4	Disposed = incineration (without energy recovery) and landfill
5	Recycled = incineration (with energy recovery) and material recycling

Total waste

256

255

245³

244

Hazardous waste disposed⁴

Non-hazardous waste disposed⁴

Hazardous waste recycled⁵

75³

Non-hazardous waste recycled⁵

107

Exported/Imported hazardous waste

XLS

Exported/Imported hazardous waste

metric kilotons

2016

2017

2018¹

2019²

1	Since 2018, our reported figures have excluded the Consumer Health business, which was divested on December 1, 2018.
2	The figures exclude Versum Materials since the integration process is still underway. More information can be found under Report profile.
3	Disposal primarily within the EU and the United States.

Exported³

4.6

4.9

4.5

4.3

Imported

0.010

0.005

0.000

In 2019, approx. 3% of hazardous waste was shipped internationally.

Waste by disposal method

XLS

Waste by disposal method

2016

2017

2018¹

2019²

1	Since 2018, our reported figures have excluded the Consumer Health business, which was divested on December 1, 2018.
2	The figures exclude Versum Materials since the integration process is still underway. More information can be found under Report profile.
3	Figure retroactively adjusted.

Total waste (metric kilotons)

256

255

245³

244

Disposed waste

Landfilled waste

Incinerated waste

Recycled waste

171

179

147³

160

Material recycling

139

149

127³

132

Waste-to-energy

Recycling rate (%)

As in previous years, the total waste generated continues to be heavily influenced by the waste from construction and remodeling activities. Construction, excavation and demolition waste accounted for 31% of our waste in 2019. Around 49 metric kilotons of construction, excavation and demolition waste was recycled.

Significant spills

XLS

Significant spills

2016

2017

2018¹

2019²

1	Since 2018, our reported figures have excluded the Consumer Health business, which was divested on December 1, 2018.
2	The figures exclude Versum Materials since the integration process is still underway. More information can be found under Report profile.

Total number of significant spills

Merck Corporate Responsibility Report 2019

TAG overview

Results

Total greenhouse gas emissions

Other relevant indirect greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions of ozone-depleting substances

Other air emissions

Transport of finished goods, by means of transportation

Energy consumption

Water withdrawal

Water reused

Wastewater volume and quality

Hazardous and non-hazardous waste

Exported/Imported hazardous waste

Waste by disposal method

Significant spills

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