ROTH for Future Score
Sustainability criteria at Carl ROTH
ROTH is thinking green
and firmly integrating sustainability into its business activities. As a manufacturer and supplier of chemicals and laboratory supplies, protecting the environment is particularly important to us. We strive to continuously improve our products by replacing potentially hazardous chemicals with more environmentally friendly alternatives, switching plastics for more sustainable raw materials and promoting energy-efficient devices.
Our growing range includes not only classic products, but also a variety of sustainable alternatives. To make the selection process easier for our customers, we have developed our own rating system, the “ROTH for Future Score”. This score is used to categorise products into Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold ratings, depending on how many of the sustainability criteria they fulfil.
We pride ourselves on being transparent and providing our customers with insights into the environmental compatibility, manufacturing and transport practices, reusability, and disposal of our products. With the help of our Roth for Future rating system, you can quickly and easily identify and objectively evaluate more sustainable alternatives. Our efforts are aimed at making a positive contribution to preserving the environment and promoting biodiversity.
ROTH for Future Score Sustainability criteria
Our ROTH for Future Score takes into account a large number of sustainability criteria, which are weighted differently depending on their environmental relevance.
We are aware that not all aspects of sustainability are equally relevant and that priorities may differ depending on the product and context.
We have therefore developed a rating system that allows us to scale the criteria according to their importance. From ecological compatibility, to product properties, manufacturing and transport practices, through to reusability and disposal – each criterion is carefully examined and assessed according to its impact on the environment.
Our calculations categorise products into one of four categories:
Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold.
These categories represent different levels of sustainability and enable our customers to quickly and easily identify sustainable alternatives that meet their requirements.
Product properties
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Additional aspects
ROTH for Future Score
laboratory supplies example
twirl'em Ecolo liquid sample bag
Biodegradable plastic for environmentally friendly sampling Twirl'em Ecolo
twirl'em Ecolo sample bags are made from highly resistant LDPE, which contains additives that degrade the bag to inert humus (biomass), CO2, methane and water.
Sterile products without the use of energy or environmentally harmful substances
By optimising the production process, which takes place at temperatures of over 200 °C, the twirl'em Ecolo liquid sample bags can be used as sterile without the need for additional sterilisation by gamma irradiation or ethylene oxide gassing.
Lower transport and storage volume compared to conventional products
Compared to standard sample bottles, liquid sample bags have a smaller transport volume and require less storage space.
Environmentally friendly, resource-conserving manufacture
The manufacturer of the twirl'em Ecolo liquid sample bags has introduced various measures to optimise the ecological aspects of the production process. Among other things, the waste heat from the production facilities is used to heat the company buildings, energy-saving lighting is used and production surpluses are completely recycled.
ROTH for Future Score
chemicals example
Compared to the standard product available on the market, our bioethanol, which is sold in our range under the SOLVAGREEN® brand, fulfils the following ROTH for Future Score criteria:
Raw material source: renewable raw material
Normally, ethanol is produced synthetically on an industrial scale, whereas our bioethanol is produced from renewable raw materials such as wheat (art. no. 6724 and 6726) or other plants (art. no. 1Y4H and 1Y4K).
Product certification: official eco-label
In addition, the raw materials used for the synthesis come from controlled organic cultivation, which is certified in accordance with EC regulation 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products.
Based on these two criteria alone, the bioethanol qualifies for a Roth for Future logo.
Regional production and supply chain (origin: DE/EU)
It also scores highly in another aspect – transport. As it is produced in Germany, the supply chains are short, which helps to reduce CO2 emissions.
► As a result, thanks to its sustainability features, our bioethanol is given a silver Roth for Future logo compared to the standard product on the market.
Raw material source
Renewable raw material (renewable materials):
Products that fulfil this criterion use renewable raw materials that regenerate and thus guarantee continuous availability. These materials are obtained from biological sources such as plants, wood or other organic substances without overusing the earth's finite resources. By using renewable raw materials, these products help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote the sustainable use of resources.
Free from animal substances:
Products labelled "free from animal substances" do not contain any ingredients of animal origin. This guarantees that there are no animal ingredients in products. By using non-animal ingredients, these products support ethical and sustainable production practices and contribute to animal welfare.
Contain recycled material(s):
Products that contain recycled material, are made from recycled raw materials that originate from products or materials that have already been used. By integrating recycled materials into production, the need for new resources is reduced, minimising the amount of waste and environmental impact.
Circular economy
Biodegradable:
Biodegradable products are broken down by natural processes and decomposed into their original organic components. These products are designed to decompose over time under the influence of micro-organisms, moisture and other environmental influences without leaving harmful residues. Thanks to their biodegradability, these products help to reduce waste volumes and relieve the burden on landfill sites, while at the same time minimising the environmental impact.
Recyclable:
Products that are labelled as "recyclable" can be returned to the recycling cycle at the end of their service life and converted into new products or materials. These products are designed in such a way that they can easily be fed into the recycling process, whether through the separation and sorting of materials or via special recycling technologies. Thanks to their recyclability, these products help to reduce the use of natural resources, minimise waste, and the ecological footprint of the product is reduced.
Product features
Durability, reusability and ease of repair:
Products with these features are designed to have a longer service life, can be used repeatedly and are easy to repair. They reduce the need for new purchases, minimise waste and help to conserve natural resources.
Alternative product with lower hazard potential:
This category includes products that have a lower risk potential for the environment or health compared to standard products. This can mean that they contain fewer harmful chemicals, emit fewer pollutants or are more environmentally friendly overall.
Not hazardous to water:
Products with this feature are designed to have no or minimal impact on water quality. They are either water-soluble or contain no harmful chemicals or substances that could cause contamination on contact with water. As these products are non-hazardous to water, they help to protect water resources and minimise environmental pollution.
Product certification
Product certification:
Products that fulfil this criterion have official environmental or sustainability certifications that confirm their ecological and social compatibility. These certificates are awarded by recognised institutions such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the Blue Angel, the ÖkoTex Standard 100, the EU Ecolabel and others. They guarantee that the products fulfil certain environmental standards, such as sustainable forestry, the absence of harmful chemicals or low CO2 emissions during production.
The certificates clearly demonstrate responsibility towards the environment and society and provide reliable guidance in terms of sustainability. These certifications create confidence that the products meet strict environmental and social standards and contribute to promoting a more sustainable future.
Application
Use of smaller quantities:
Products that fulfil this criterion require a smaller quantity for their application compared to standard products. Due to their high concentration or efficiency, they allow users to use less product to achieve the same result. This not only reduces the consumption of the product itself, but also the amount of packaging material and the associated waste.
No additional consumables required (ready-to-use):
Products labelled as "ready-to-use" do not require any additional consumables or accessories for their application. They are supplied in a ready-to-use form and can be used directly without the need for additional products or tools. This not only reduces the effort and costs for the user, but also the consumption of additional materials and resources. Products without additional consumables therefore contribute to the simplification and efficiency of use and support the sustainable use of resources.
Packaging
Renewable raw materials:
Packaging with renewable raw materials uses biological materials that can regenerate, such as plants or wood, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and minimise environmental impact.
Low or no plastic:
This packaging either contains no plastic material or has a very low plastic content, which helps to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.
Recycled material or share:
This packaging contains recycled materials or has a certain percentage of recycled materials, which reduces the use of primary resources and supports the circulation of materials.
Recyclable by type:
This packaging is made from materials that can be easily sorted and recycled after disposal, making the recycling process more efficient and reducing the environmental impact of waste.
Deposit return system:
Products with a deposit system allow the packaging to be returned after use for a refund or discount, which encourages the reuse of packaging materials and reduces waste.
Manufacturer and delivery process
Recording the CO2 footprint:
Companies measure and analyse their greenhouse gas emissions along the value chain in order to take targeted measures to reduce emissions and maximise their contribution to climate protection.
Certification according to ISO 50001, 26001, 14001:
Companies with these certifications have established systems for improving energy efficiency, social responsibility and environmental performance, which emphasises their commitment to sustainability and responsibility.
Sustainability measures:
Companies implement targeted measures to improve their environmental, social and economic impact, such as reducing energy and water consumption, minimising the use of chemicals in production and promoting the circular economy.
Regular sustainability reporting:
Companies regularly publish reports in accordance with recognised standards such as EcoVadis, DNK (German Sustainability Code) or GRI in order to report transparently on their sustainability performance and goals and provide stakeholders with insight.
Supply Chain Code of Conduct:
Companies implement a Code of Conduct in their supply chain to ensure that suppliers and partners comply with ethical, social and environmental standards and thus promote responsible procurement practices.
Transport
Regional production and supply chain (origin: DE/EU)
Products that are produced regionally and have short supply chains reduce transport distances. This thus reduces energy consumption and the environmental impact of transport, helps to promote the local economy and to reduce CO2 emissions.
CO2-neutral transport:
Products are transported to us by our suppliers, who take measures to compensate for or reduce the resulting CO2 emissions. This can be done by using CO2-neutral means of transport or by investing in CO2 compensation projects such as reforestation programmes.
Lower weight/volume:
Products that fulfil this criterion are lighter than standard products or take up less volume for transport. This is achieved, for example, by offering chemicals in tablet form that can be dissolved in water by the customer. This reduces the weight of the product as less water needs to be transported.
