Chemistry for a Changing World

Why do the most sustainable products often carry a price premium — and can that ever change? Vivi Hollertt leads global sustainability strategy for Nouryon, the specialty chemicals maker spun off from AkzoNobel. On this episode, she explains why 96% of everyday products, from EVs to pharmaceuticals, trace back to chemistry, and why her team treats sustainability as a growth lever, not an ideology. "It's truly foundational for growth," she says, tying safer, biodegradable, low-carbon products directly to revenue and cost savings. But can sustainable products shed their price premium? Hollertt says closing that gap depends on scale, feedstock availability, and staying close to customers. **Vivi Hollertt** leads global sustainability strategy for Nouryon and chairs its sustainability network, setting direction across climate, circularity, safety, and social performance. She began in communications, with roles at Heineken and Fleishman-Hillard, before joining AkzoNobel. When the specialty chemicals division became Nouryon after its 2018 sale to the Carlyle Group, she led carve-out communications and the new company's launch. Nouryon's chairman and CEO then asked her to take on sustainability, too. With no sustainability background, she completed an eight-week Cambridge course and has since moved fully into leading the function.  **In This Episode:**    - (00:00) Vivi Hollertt of Nouryon - her Nouryon sustainability role - (03:34) Vivi's path from communications into leading sustainability at Nouryon - (08:09) Vivi explains specialty chemicals and their broad economic impact - (10:33) Sustainability as a growth lever and the business case for it - (13:28) Bio-based chemicals, circular chemistry, and challenges of scale and cost - Share with someone who would enjoy this topic, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes, send us your comments and guest suggestions!  **About the show:**   The Age of Adoption podcast explores the monumental transition from a period of social, economic, and environmental research and exploration – an Age of Innovation – to today's world in which companies across the economy are furiously deploying sustainable solutions – the Age of Adoption. Listen as our host, Keith Zakheim, CEO of Antenna Group, talks with experts from across the climate, energy, health, and real estate sectors to discuss what the transition means for business and society, and how corporates and startups can rise above competitors to lead in this new age.   This podcast is brought to you by Antenna Group, a global marketing and communications agency that partners with Fully Conscious brands — those with the courage to lead transformative change across Climate & Energy, Real Estate, Health, and beyond. Our clients include visionary corporations, startups, investors, and nonprofits who recognize that meaningful impact requires more than awareness; it demands bold action. In today's Age of Adoption, where every sector must incorporate sustainable solutions into foundational systems, we amplify brands standing at the forefront of change, shaping a better future for our planet and its people. To learn more, visit antennagroup.com**.**  **Resources:** Vivi Hollertt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivihollertt/  Antenna Group  Keith Zakheim LinkedIn