Flagship products like Doverphos® LGP and S-9228® exemplify the company’s shift toward safer, non-toxic formulations. Both are biodegradable, non-bioavailable, and exclude substances of very high concern (SVHCs). Several products are also approved for food contact and recognized as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Notably, Dover is also working to phase out PFAS in polymer processing—a step that aligns with growing global regulatory pressure.
The report details the company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all three scopes. In 2023, Scope 1 emissions—from on-site operations—made up 32% of total emissions, while Scope 2 (electricity use) contributed 27%. Scope 3, encompassing supply chain emissions, accounted for the largest share at 41%, with raw material sourcing responsible for 59% of that total.
While Dover Chemical provides emissions data in accordance with the GHG Protocol and offers product-level insights to customers subject to EU reporting requirements, the company does not currently have quantified GHG reduction targets or science-based benchmarks. It also relies entirely on grid electricity, with 0% renewable energy use reported over the last four years.
Dover reports strong progress in waste diversion, with 85–86% of hazardous waste recycled in both 2023 and 2024. Its facilities incorporate closed-loop systems for materials like phenol and xylene and partner with third parties to regenerate spent absorbents.
The company also reduced its water withdrawal by 9% year over year, aided by reverse osmosis filtration and water recovery investments. Despite an isolated spill of phenol-based material in 2024 at the Dover facility, no long-term environmental impacts were reported, and mitigation protocols were swiftly implemented in coordination with the Ohio EPA.
While the report emphasizes a strong workplace culture and a 92% employee satisfaction rate related to career growth, safety metrics declined significantly in 2024. The Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) rose from 1.25 in 2023 to 4.59 in 2024, and the Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR) increased from 0.42 to 3.75.
Dover has responded with new safety measures, including increased hands-on training, revised procedural manuals, and contractor performance scoring. However, the setbacks signal a gap between the company’s stated values and execution in practice.
Dover Chemical scored well on community engagement, earning praise from Ohio’s State Emergency Response Commission for its joint drills with first responders. However, only 78.5% of its suppliers completed a sustainability survey in 2024, leaving a portion of its direct spend outside documented ESG oversight.
The company continues to prioritize local procurement—80% of materials are sourced within 250 miles—and maintains a supplier code of conduct, but deeper ESG data integration will be necessary to align with evolving stakeholder expectations.
Dover Chemical has laid the groundwork for long-term sustainability through product reformulation and operational upgrades. Yet, key gaps remain—particularly in renewable energy adoption, emissions target-setting, and workplace safety performance.
To fully realize its vision of being an industry pioneer in sustainable chemical solutions, the company will need to align measurable goals with its mission and continue evolving its approach to risk management, transparency, and innovation.
