About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

Westlake Reiterates Its Commitment to Company-Wide Continuous Improvement in Its 2020 ESG Report

By: via Business Wire
  • Expanded board-level Corporate Risk and Sustainability Committee
  • Creating a new executive leadership role, Vice President - Sustainability
  • Initiates materiality assessments for ESG framework
  • Committed to innovative new products for a more sustainable future

Westlake Chemical Corporation (NYSE: WLK) today released its 2020 Environmental, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) report, Essential Products, Critical Innovations, the fourth annual report demonstrating the company’s commitment to continuous improvements in its operations, products, management and communities.

The report highlights include reductions in emissions; zero loss of plastic powder, pellet or flake from operations; an improved safety record; a diversity action plan; and increased charitable contributions in our communities amid the pandemic and extreme weather events.

The report demonstrates the resilience and resolve of Westlake to responsibly operate and safeguard its employees regardless of challenges, including COVID-19 and hurricanes, while working with customers to provide more sustainable products such as GreenVin™, a caustic soda produced with renewable energy and Aspire Vinyl®, the first phthalate-free, bio-based compounds with more than 35% renewable content.

Westlake’s 2020 ESG report includes the Company’s first materiality analysis, which identified 14 key areas of focus – including health and safety, climate change and energy, waste and circular economy, community engagement and impact management, diversity and inclusion, and cyber security -- as the company continues to align with the important global frameworks for ESG disclosures and communications. These focus areas are critical to all of the Company’s key stakeholders, including investors, suppliers, customers, neighbors and employees.

“As a family-founded company, our business decisions have always been guided by prioritizing safety, ethics, quality and the environment,” said Albert Chao, president and chief executive officer of Westlake. “Our sustainability reporting, which we began four years ago, illustrates our accomplishments and aspirations regarding these long-standing commitments. We are taking concrete steps in our ESG journey to deliver excellence today and create a better future.”

The 2020 report includes information on EcoVadis findings and ratings as well as material ESG topics identified by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). A supplement Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) index will be available in the fourth quarter on www.westlake.com. Westlake plans to more completely report against SASB, GRI, and the Task Force of Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) frameworks in its 2021 ESG report.

Westlake continuously improves its operations to reduce its environmental footprint. The company has reduced CO2e emissions by almost 9% in the last four years. Another example of this is our continued focus on emissions controls, including investments in flare gas recovery and a 2020 reduction in flaring emissions by approximately 29,000 tons. At the same time, Westlake is expanding use of recycled products and engineering new innovations for incorporating more recycled materials into a range of products.

“Our achievements are a credit to our most valuable asset, our people,” concluded Chao. “Westlake employees are members of an extended family and the diversity of that team is one of our major strengths. We are excited to release this important report. We will continue to drive sustainable results that matter for our company, industry, investors, and employees. Our company and the planet will be better as a result.”

The 2020 ESG report also includes details on safety, training and development and community support.

About Westlake

Westlake is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance life every day. Headquartered in Houston, we provide the building blocks for vital solutions — from building products and infrastructure materials, to packaging and healthcare products, to automotive and consumer goods. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.westlake.com.

Contacts

More News

View More
3 Healthcare Companies Insiders Are Buying
Via MarketBeat
Topics Initial Public Offering
Tickers CAMP LLY SI
Analyst Downgrades Hit Homebuilders—But Opportunity Looms
Via MarketBeat
Topics World Trade
Tickers LEN PHM
3 Defensive Stocks to Buy as Economic Uncertainty Lingers
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence Economy
Tickers CLX COST CVX
3 Dividend Hikes That Signal Renewed Strength in 2025
Via MarketBeat
Topics Economy
Tickers ACN F GE GM HON THO
3 Sustainable Stocks Benefiting From the AI Energy Surge
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence Economy Government
Tickers HUBB NEE XYL
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.