Materializing A Difference
What started as an employee-led training initiative at HEXPOL’s TPE site in the UK is now being offered to all 52 HEXPOL companies worldwide. As part of HEXPOL’s We Create a Material Difference promise, learners from 11 countries have signed up to join a bespoke Carbon Literacy at HEXPOL training program.
What is Carbon Literacy?
Carbon Literacy is used to describe an awareness of the carbon costs and impacts of our everyday activities. It’s about sharing the knowledge to reduce emissions on an individual and organizational basis and creating a positive shift in how we live, work and behave. The term has been used in scientific literature but is now almost exclusively associated with The Carbon Literacy Project (carbonliteracy.com).
The UN recognized the Carbon Literacy Project at COP21 in Paris, where it was awarded a TAP100, one of 100 worldwide Transformative Action Programs. The Project operates on the principle that we need to see cultural shifts as much as technological changes to cut our GHG emissions in line with scientific reduction targets. Carbon Literacy educates, offers relevance and motivation, and provides tangible evidence of the growth of that low-carbon culture.
Who created the training program and why?
Over 10,000 organizations are engaging with The Carbon Literacy Project, but no two courses are the same. HEXPOL’s course is tailor-made for HEXPOL; designed and delivered by people in the polymer industry. The original Carbon Literacy course was created in 2022 by Jill Bradford, global marketing director for HEXPOL’s Thermoplastics companies, and Carbon Literacy Facilitator Kirsty Wood, who was, at the time, sustainability lead at HEXPOL’s TPE site in the UK.
Why? The idea was sparked from their own training, discussions with customers and suppliers, requests from colleagues and a shared concern about the polymer industry’s impacts and future.
With input from HEXPOL Group Sustainability Director, Andreas Rangel Ahrens, Jill and Kirsty updated the Carbon Literacy program to support a HEXPOL group rollout. It was accredited by The Carbon Literacy Project in 2025.
Why is this training being offered and who is taking part?
Addressing climate change is a top priority in HEXPOL’s sustainability agenda. We’re preparing to launch a new climate target that will cover the entire life cycle of our products and the whole HEXPOL value chain. Raising awareness and understanding what actions to take are important steps in making positive changes and reaching HEXPOL’s strategic target.
This program is designed to empower people to take action. Colleagues from operations, R&D, supply chain, commercial and leadership teams are participating in the training. Sharing their experiences and know-how to create a material difference.
“I participated in the first Carbon Literacy training in 2022 during my time as Managing Director of HEXPOL TPE UK. The energy it generated, and the meaningful actions it encouraged, showed me just how powerful this program could be. I’m delighted to see it now embedded across the HEXPOL group.
When I relocated to the USA to lead HEXPOL TPE Americas, carrying this initiative with me was a clear priority.”
– Mark Clayton, President, HEXPOL TPE Americas
“I joined the Carbon Literacy training to move from awareness to action. What I valued most was sharing know‑how across sites and seeing how small, data‑driven changes add up, from LEDs and cycle‑time optimization to increased recycled content in our products. The training gave us a common goal to accelerate continuous improvement and sustainability. It sharpened our focus on Scope 3 emissions, particularly from transport and materials, where big opportunities for reduction lie.”
– Ram Sukmar, Director of Continuous Improvement, HEXPOL Rubber Compounding Americas
“I was invited to join the first cohort of the new HEXPOL Carbon literacy training in September 2025. It was a great way to learn from others’ experiences in a Teams group, which was a new approach for me.
It helped me to understand that if we all do our part, even if it’s only small steps to reduce our climate impact, it will make a difference, and to feel that we all can participate in and influence our part in HEXPOL’s climate goals.”
– Nina Maunonen, Quality & Environmental Manager, Gislaved Gummi, Sweden
“The HEXPOL Carbon Literacy program was a powerful reminder that climate change is not a distant issue, it is happening now. Learning with other colleagues from across the HEXPOL Group and openly discussing real challenges helped us identify practical, actionable solutions to complex climate topics. The program helped us understand what each of us, both individually and as a HEXPOL team, can do to be part of this change. This increased awareness of our environmental responsibility has motivated me to take a more active role in driving sustainable change”.
– Dulip Karunatilake, Assistant General Manager – Business Development – Asia Pacific, Stellana, Sri Lanka
