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Environment

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

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

metric kilotons

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023
Merck
Group

 

2023
thereof
Merck KGaA

Total CO2eq3 emissions4

 

2,152

 

1,951

 

1,760

 

1,463

 

22

Thereof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

direct CO2eq emissions (Scope 1)5

 

1,827

 

1,626

 

1,518

 

1,236

 

15

indirect CO2eq emissions (Scope 2)6

 

325

 

325

 

242

 

227

 

7

Biogenic CO2 emissions7

 

14

 

15

 

14

 

14

 

0

1

In line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, for all previous years greenhouse gas emissions were 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

Baseline for our emission targets is 2020.

3

eq = equivalent

4

In 2023, we adjusted our Scope 1 and Scope 2 calculations to reflect minor data corrections.

5

In 2023, we adapted the Scope 1 calculations to the modified global warming potentials of the IPCC 6th assessment report (previously IPCC 5th assessment report) and restated previous years accordingly.

6

The figures presented here have been calculated in accordance with the market-based method.

7

We adapted the calculations to the complete Greenhouse Gas Protocol requirements.

Our response to the CDP Climate change 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, NF3, SF6.

Indirect CO2 emissions: CO2.

In 2023, we emitted 0.07 kg of CO2eq per euro of net sales.

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

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

metric kilotons of CO2 equivalents

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

Total gross other indirect emissions

 

5,103

 

5,799

 

6,680

 

4,594

Purchased goods & services (category 1)2

 

3,040

 

3,572

 

4,200

 

2,5173

Capital goods (Category 2)2

 

293

 

291

 

388

 

3403

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

 

102

 

143

 

121

 

115

Upstream transportation & distribution (category 4)

 

264

 

2644

 

319

 

2365

Waste generated in operations (category 5)

 

85

 

79

 

576

 

326

Business travel (category 6)

 

32

 

26

 

78

 

86

Employee commuting (category 7)

 

90

 

94

 

99

 

767

Upstream leased assets (category 8)8

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Downstream transportation & distribution (category 9)

 

8

 

84

 

6

 

105

Processing of sold products (category 10)9

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Use of sold products (category 11)10

 

1,164

 

1,296

 

1,38211

 

1,137

End-of-life treatment of sold products (category 12)

 

23

 

234

 

2611

 

42

Downstream leased assets (category 13)

 

2

 

2

 

2

 

2

Franchises (category 14)12

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Investments (category 15)

 

0

 

1

 

2

 

1

1

In line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, for all previous years greenhouse gas emissions were 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

The reported figures contain 95-97% of our total spend. The difference stems from smaller sites that are not integrated in our Group-wide purchase volume data. 2020 data are slightly over-reported (approx. 3%) as the currency conversion factor (USD to EUR) from 2021 was used. Non-categorized spends are distributed pro rate to category 1 and 2.

3

We updated environmentally extended input-output analysis (EEIO) factors, and we adjusted our emission calculation approach for service categories using primary supplier data.

4

Due to high efforts for data preparation, we reference 2020 data for 2021.

5

In 2023, we introduced a new and improved calculation methodology based on primary data from suppliers/logistics service providers and an energy-based bottom-up calculation approach.

6

We adjusted our calculation methodology to remove non-GHG relevant waste streams.

7

We adjusted our calculation methodology to take into account the results of an internal employee survey on home office use.

8

Already covered under Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

9

Our company 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.

10

In 2023, we adapted the Category 11 calculations to the modified global warming potentials of the IPCC 6th assessment report (previously IPCC 5th assessment report) and restated previous years accordingly.

11

Due to high efforts for data preparation, we partly use 2020 data for 2022.

12

This category is not relevant for us as we do not operate franchises, i.e. businesses operating under a license to sell or distribute another company’s goods or services. Out-licensing in the pharmaceutical sector is not regarded as franchising.

Details on the calculation (methodology, assumptions, uncertainties) of the Scope 3 categories can be found in the Scope 3 document.

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

Emissions of ozone-depleting substances

Emissions of ozone-depleting substances

metric tons

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

Total emissions of ozone-depleting substances

 

2.2

 

1.5

 

1.31

 

1.0

CFC-11eq2

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

0.1

1

Data were retroactively adjusted.

2

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.

Substances included: R-12, R-22, R-123, R-141b, R-401a, R-402a, R408a, R-409a, R-414b, R-502, R-503.

Source for the emission factors: Montreal Protocol.

Other air emissions

Other air emissions

metric kilotons

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

Volatile organic compounds (VOC)

 

0.3

 

0.3

 

0.3

 

0.3

Nitrogen oxide

 

0.2

 

0.3

 

0.2

 

0.2

Sulfur dioxide

 

0.004

 

0.004

 

0.005

 

0.004

Dust

 

0.010

 

0.020

 

0.020

 

0.010

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

Transport of finished goods, by means of transportation

 

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

% truck

 

70

 

71

 

73

 

74

% boat

 

22

 

21

 

19

 

19

% airplane

 

8

 

8

 

8

 

7

% rail

 

0

 

0

 

0.03

 

0.03

The figures contain the volumes of the biggest global distribution centers of our Life Science, Healthcare and Electronics 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

Energy consumption1

GWh

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023
Merck
Group

 

2023
thereof
Merck KGaA

Total energy consumption

 

2,382

 

2,463

 

2,432

 

2,337

 

78

Direct energy consumption

 

1,269

 

1,321

 

1,294

 

1,245

 

68

Natural gas

 

1,182

 

1,235

 

1,188

 

1,164

 

59

Liquid fossil fuels2

 

52

 

48

 

70

 

43

 

9

Biomass and self-generated renewable energy

 

35

 

38

 

36

 

38

 

0

Indirect energy consumption

 

1,113

 

1,142

 

1,138

 

1,092

 

10

Electricity

 

950

 

964

 

984

 

982

 

10

Steam, heat, cold

 

163

 

178

 

154

 

110

 

0

Total energy sold

 

0.2

 

0.1

 

0.0

 

0.00

 

0.0

Electricity

 

0.2

 

0.1

 

0.0

 

0.00

 

0.0

Steam, heat, cold

 

0.0

 

0.0

 

0.0

 

0.0

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In TJ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total energy consumption

 

8,575

 

8,867

 

8,755

 

8,413

 

280

Direct energy consumption

 

4,568

 

4,756

 

4,658

 

4,482

 

244

Natural gas

 

4,255

 

4,446

 

4,277

 

4,190

 

212

Liquid fossil fuels2

 

187

 

173

 

252

 

155

 

32

Biomass and self-generated renewable energy

 

126

 

137

 

130

 

137

 

0

Indirect energy consumption

 

4,007

 

4,111

 

4,097

 

3,931

 

36

Electricity

 

3,420

 

3,470

 

3,542

 

3,535

 

36

Steam, heat, cold

 

587

 

641

 

554

 

396

 

0

Total energy sold

 

0.7

 

0.4

 

0.0

 

0.00

 

0.0

Electricity

 

0.7

 

0.4

 

0.0

 

0.00

 

0.0

Steam, heat, cold

 

0.0

 

0.0

 

0.0

 

0.0

 

0.0

1

In line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, for all previous years 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

Light and heavy fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), diesel, biodiesel, gasoline and kerosene

We use photovoltaics to produce power at multiple sites.

We currently only record 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 23% of our Group-wide total. Here, fossil energy (coal, gas, etc.) accounts for approximately 45%, nuclear energy approximately 6% and renewable energies approximately 49% 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 2,654 GWh for 2023. Based on an estimated global energy efficiency of 85% for heat/steam/cold, this results in a primary energy consumption of 129 GWh for 2023. This yields a total primary energy consumption of 2,783 GWh for 2023. (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 2023, our energy intensity relative to net sales totaled 0.11 kWh/€.

Water withdrawal

Water withdrawal

millions of m3

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023
Merck
Group

 

2023
Water
stress areas

Total water withdrawal

 

14.0

 

13.5

 

13.2

 

12.1

 

0.16

Surface water (rivers, lakes)

 

1.8

 

1.9

 

1.8

 

1.4

 

0.002

Groundwater

 

6.7

 

6.3

 

6.3

 

5.8

 

0.002

Drinking water (from local suppliers)

 

5.4

 

5.2

 

5.0

 

4.8

 

0.16

Rain water and other sources

 

0.06

 

0.06

 

0.06

 

0.06

 

0.002

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.

The volume of seawater and produced water withdrawn is not significant and is therefore not reported separately.

Water reused

Water reused

millions of m3

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

Water reused

 

22.0

 

23.5

 

20.7

 

20.5

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

Wastewater volume

 

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023
Merck
Group

Total wastewater volume (millions of m3)

 

13.4

 

13.3

 

12.4

 

11.1

Wastewater discharged directly

 

9.2

 

9.5

 

8.6

 

7.6

Wastewater discharged to third parties

 

4.1

 

3.8

 

3.8

 

3.4

The volume of seawater and groundwater discharged is not significant and is therefore not reported separately.

Discrepancies between total wastewater volume and the sum of directly discharged wastewater and wastewater sent to third parties arise from other disposal methods, which, however, only result in minor amounts of wastewater. Direct discharges correspond to the “freshwater” classification of the GRI. Indirect discharges correspond to their “other water” classification.

Wastewater quality

Wastewater quality1

 

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

Chemical oxygen demand (metric tons of O2)

 

1,482

 

1,426

 

1,013

 

1,039

Phosphorous (metric tons)

 

15

 

11

 

10

 

9

Nitrogen (metric tons)

 

291

 

392

 

363

 

184

Nickel (kg)

 

30

 

322

 

382

 

104

Lead (kg)

 

37

 

15

 

16

 

21

Cadmium (kg)

 

6

 

3

 

5

 

4

Mercury (kg)

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

1

In alignment with ICCA reporting requirements specified by Cefic, we track heavy metal emissions from lead, cadmium, nickel, and mercury.

2

Data were retroactively adjusted.

The wastewater treatment plant at our site in Gernsheim, Germany also treats wastewater from a neighboring municipality. The communal wastewater from this municipality is included 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.

These figures reflect the wastewater as it is when it leaves our facilities. Some of the substances in the water are then later removed by third-party purification plants before the water is ultimately discharged into the ecosystem.

Hazardous and non-hazardous waste

Hazardous and non-hazardous waste

metric kilotons

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

Total waste

 

229

 

214

 

371

 

291

Hazardous waste disposed1

 

38

 

34

 

36

 

35

Non-hazardous waste disposed1

 

34

 

33

 

31

 

18

Hazardous waste recycled2

 

90

 

84

 

84

 

81

Non-hazardous waste recycled2

 

67

 

63

 

220

 

157

1

Disposed = incineration (without energy recovery) and landfill

2

Recycled = incineration (with energy recovery) and material recycling

Exported/Imported hazardous waste

Exported/Imported hazardous waste

metric kilotons

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

Exported1

 

4.0

 

4.6

 

3.7

 

3.3

Imported

 

0.000

 

0.000

 

0.000

 

0.000

1

Disposal primarily within the EU and the United States.

In 2023, approx. 3% of hazardous waste was shipped internationally.

Waste by disposal method

Waste by disposal method

 

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

Total waste (metric kilotons)

 

229

 

214

 

371

 

291

Disposed waste

 

72

 

66

 

67

 

53

Landfilled waste

 

17

 

18

 

20

 

9

Incinerated waste

 

55

 

48

 

47

 

44

Recycled waste

 

157

 

148

 

304

 

238

Material recycling

 

133

 

124

 

274

 

214

Waste-to-energy

 

24

 

24

 

30

 

24

Recycling rate (%)

 

69

 

69

 

82

 

82

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 43% of our waste in 2023. Around 118 metric kilotons of construction, excavation and demolition waste was recycled.

Significant spills

Significant spills

 

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

Total number of significant spills

 

0

 

0

 

2

 

0

CO2 equivalents
CO2 equivalents (CO2eq) indicate how much a specified quantity of a specific greenhouse gas contributes to the greenhouse effect using the global warming potential of carbon dioxide as a reference.
Freshwater
Water containing 1,000 mg or less of dissolved solids per liter.
Scope 1
This includes emissions that occur in our company, for instance by generating energy from fossil fuels or by releasing process-related emissions.
Scope 2
This includes emissions from purchased energy such as electricity, heat, steam, or cold.
Scope 3
Scope 3 includes indirect greenhouse gas emissions, such as the extraction and production of purchased materials, transport-related activities, waste disposal, and employee travel.

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