Umicore, a global materials technology and recycling company headquartered in Belgium, has established itself as a leader in the fields of catalysis, energy materials, and recycling. Founded in 1805, Umicore has evolved significantly, achieving key milestones such as its commitment to sustainable development and innovation in battery materials for electric vehicles. With major operations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, Umicore offers a diverse range of core products and services, including precious metal recycling and advanced materials for clean technologies. What sets Umicore apart is its focus on sustainability and circular economy principles, positioning the company as a pioneer in responsible resource management. Recognised for its market leadership, Umicore continues to drive advancements in materials science, contributing to a greener future.
How does Umicore's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Salt and Mineral Mining industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Umicore's score of 72 is higher than 88% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Umicore reported total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of approximately 7,031,349,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 277,717,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions of approximately 286,349,000 kg CO2e (market-based), and a significant Scope 3 contribution of around 6,467,283,000 kg CO2e. The previous year, 2023, saw total emissions of about 7,884,817,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 at approximately 317,908,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 at about 314,097,000 kg CO2e (market-based), and Scope 3 at around 7,252,813,000 kg CO2e. Umicore has set ambitious targets for reducing its carbon footprint. The company aims for net-zero GHG emissions in Scopes 1 and 2 by 2035, with interim goals of a 20% reduction by 2025 and a 50% reduction by 2030, using 2019 as the baseline year. These targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which also commits Umicore to a 50% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 and a 42% reduction in Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services per ton of material procured by the same year. Umicore's commitment to sustainability is evident in its comprehensive approach to emissions management, focusing on both operational and supply chain emissions. The company is actively working towards these targets to mitigate its environmental impact and contribute to global climate goals.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0,000,000,000 | - | - | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
Umicore's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 11% last year and decreased by approximately 21% since 2019, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. The vast majority of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing the vast majority of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 83% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Umicore has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

Common questions about Umicore's sustainability data and climate commitments