Kickstart: When you wish upon a plastics company

South Carolina materials and plastic parts maker Jadex Inc. did more than simply donate money to help send a 10-year-old girl to Disney World through Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"The company hosted a [March 13] Disney World send-off party for Stephany and her family at their corporate offices … complete with food, fun activities and a few familiar characters," Jadex said in a news release. "From the balloon-decorated walkway to the princess-themed cupcakes, the company created a fun and magical experience for Stephany."

Jadex staffers dressed up in Disney attire, up to — and including — complete princess costumes.

Brian Searfoss, president of two Jadex operating companies — LifeMade Products LLC and Shakespeare Co. LLC — and a Make-A-Wish South Carolina board member, said employees went "above and beyond to make this wish reveal extra special for her and her family."

Shakespeare has donated more than $500,000 during the past 23 years to Make-A-Wish and helped grant more than 70 wishes during that time.

Let's set aside all the political turmoil over whether a company should embrace environmental, social and governance (ESG) in its business practices. When it comes to attracting investors, it's becoming increasingly clear that people looking for a good place to put their money are looking for companies that embrace ESG.

Earlier this year, Capital Group noted in its 2022 survey of ESG that 89 percent of investors looked for ESG practices, up from 84 percent in 2021. In addition, 61 percent of investment groups polled said that ESG has lasting relevance.

Now some investors want further insight into environmental practices by companies. PN's Steve Toloken writes that nonprofit disclosure group CDP says more than 740 financial institutions holding $136 trillion in assets are asking for plastics pollution-related environmental impact disclosures from more than 15,000 companies worldwide.

"Despite suggestions that investors are deprioritizing ESG, this … shows the complete opposite," Paul Dickinson, founding chair of CDP, said. "Capital markets understand the necessity for comprehensive corporate environmental data in informing investment and lending decisions across markets."

German silicone and polymers supplier Wacker Chemie AG says it will invest $696 million in improvements this year, including $429 million to its Wacker Silicones and Wacker Polymers businesses.

But speaking of ESG efforts by companies, Wacker executives say the Munich-based company's long-term growth will have a focus on sustainability, as Andrew Schunk from our sister paper Rubber News writes. That runs the gamut from using greener feedstock for silicones to using renewable energy for its operations.

"We have raised the bar for our sustainability goals significantly," CEO Christian Hartel said. "We want to reduce emissions by 50 percent by 2030, in absolute figures and regardless of volume growth. We want to be climate neutral by 2045. For us, growing faster and doing business sustainably are not a contradiction in terms."