Responsible Care is most effective when it moves beyond policies and principles and becomes part of everyday conversations. At Evonik’s Responsible Care Roadshow event, that impact was on full display as employees, leaders and community members came together to explore how safety, operational excellence and transparency work hand in hand.
Held September 30 at Evonik's manufacturing site in Mobile, AL., the Roadshow brought together employees, site leadership and community representatives for a day of engagement focused on strengthening safety, sharing perspectives and advancing continuous improvement.
Throughout the day, participants explored how Responsible Care principles translate into action, connecting process safety, mechanical integrity, operational excellence and community trust. The event created opportunities for meaningful dialogue across the organization while reinforcing the role every employee plays in safer, reliable and responsible operations.
Visible Leadership Drives Meaningful Dialogue
A defining feature of the event was the meaningful participation of Evonik's leadership team - Kel Boisvert, Vice President and Mobile Site Manager; Shawn Marsh, Vice President, ESHQ Services North America; Kevin Kennedy, Chief Operations Officer, Americas; and Elias Lacerda, President, Americas, actively engaged with employees and community members throughout the day. Their participation reinforced an important message for employees and community members alike: safety, operational excellence and Responsible Care are priorities that begin with leadership and are strengthened through engagement at every level of the organization.
The day began with a town hall that brought together employees and site leaders to explore how Responsible Care supports safe operations. Beyond safety performance, the conversation focused on how employees can help tell the industry's story by sharing firsthand perspectives on the work they do, the products they help create and the company's commitment to protecting people and the environment. Participants discussed the important role employee voices can play in building trust, strengthening community understanding and serving as champions for the chemical industry's positive impact in everyday life.
The event also featured an interactive workshop focused on mechanical integrity, helping employees connect equipment reliability and process safety to their day-to-day responsibilities. Through practical examples and discussion, participants explored how identifying risks, sharing lessons learned and speaking up about concerns contribute to safer operations and stronger performance.
The day also included a panel with executives, providing employees with an opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives and engage directly with company leadership. Together, these conversations reinforced that safety is not owned by a single function, but strengthened by engagement across every level of the organization.
"Communities, customers, employees, and stakeholders expect companies to operate safely, protect the environment, and care for people," said Elias Lacerda, President Americas. "At Evonik, these responsibilities are part of who we are. They have guided our actions in the past, shape how we operate today, and will continue to define our future.
The Responsible Care Roadshow provided a valuable opportunity to reinforce this commitment and demonstrate how it extends beyond our sites into the communities where we live and work."
Opening the Doors to the Community
The Roadshow extended beyond the facility's workforce to include members of Evonik's Community Advisory Panel and local community leaders.
Following a community town hall, Evonik facilitated a bus tour that welcomed community members onto the site, offering a firsthand look at Evonik's operations. Participants learned about the highly specialized materials produced at the facility and the important role those products play across a wide range of industries and everyday applications. The experience provided a unique look inside a modern manufacturing operation, showcasing the expertise, innovation and operational discipline required to safely produce these advanced materials.
By opening its doors and inviting community members to experience the site firsthand, Evonik demonstrated how transparency and engagement can build trust, strengthen relationships and foster a deeper understanding of the company's commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and responsible operations.
Responsible Care in Practice
The most meaningful outcome of the day wasn't a presentation or workshop. It was the opportunity to bring people together.
From employees and executives to community leaders and site representatives, the Roadshow created space for honest conversations, shared learning and deeper understanding. Those connections are what transform Responsible Care from a set of principles into a culture, one that strengthens safety, builds trust and supports continuous improvement.
ACC thanks Evonik's employees, leadership team and community members for their thoughtful participation and partnership. Their engagement throughout the day reflected the principles that make Responsible Care successful: leadership, transparency, knowledge sharing and a shared commitment to protecting people, communities and the environment.
