Wacker Chemical Corporation’s Ann Arbor Innovation Center Recognized for Environmental Excellence
Jul 31, 2025
Wacker Chemical Corporation has further demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship by achieving Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Certification, powered by Tandem Global, for its sustainability and biodiversity program at the Ann Arbor Innovation Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.The recognition reflects a variety of initiatives that promote local biodiversity and reduce environmental impact. Two signature efforts—the WACKER Pollinator Garden Project and the Bluebird Project—played a key role in earning the site’s certification.
The Pollinator Garden Project transformed portions of the site into biodiverse habitats using native plants selected to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Clusters of seasonally blooming perennials, shrubs, and grasses were placed in sunny and shaded open areas to maximize pollinator activity. The garden’s layout and plant selection—prioritizing vibrant purples, blues, and yellows—are designed to encourage a wide range of pollinator species throughout the year. No pesticides or herbicides are used, and prairie areas are allowed to reseed naturally, with ongoing monitoring to track plant and pollinator diversity.
The Bluebird Project supports native bird populations by providing 14 nesting boxes across the property. Since 2022 when monitoring started 78 songbird fledglings including 23 bluebird fledglings have been counted. Bluebirds are natural pest controllers, consuming insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, worms and snails. The project not only encourages a healthy local bird population but also contributes to chemical-free pest control and broader habitat support for cavity-nesting species.
WACKER’s Ann Arbor team also participates in year-round sustainability efforts, including volunteer litter cleanups, recycling programs, and food access support. The site was also the first WACKER location to achieve LEED certification, reflecting sustainability in design, construction, and operations—an accomplishment held by less than 5 percent of businesses in Michigan.
The site’s certification reflects a broad range of initiatives designed to promote environmental protection, support local biodiversity and reduce environmental impact. WACKER’s Ann Arbor team engages in year-round sustainability activities, including volunteer litter clean-up efforts, robust recycling programs and the development of pollinator-friendly green spaces like a butterfly garden.
Team members are also committed to social sustainability, such as supporting local food access efforts. (This is a repeat.)“WACKER’s Ann Arbor site is recognized as meeting the strict requirements of WHC Certification,” said Tandem Global Chief Executive Officer Margaret O’Gorman. “Companies achieving WHC Certification, like WACKER, are environmental leaders, voluntarily managing their lands to support sustainable ecosystems and the communities that surround them.”
“We have the vision to become the safest and most sustainable chemical company in the world,” said Wacker Chemical Corporation’s Corporate Environmental Manager Michael Cannaert. “Our work is to define and establish a culture that reflects our values—that safety is the precondition everything we do, including health, environmental protections and safe products for our team members, communities, neighbors and business partners.”
Elsewhere in Michigan, WACKER’s Adrian silicone manufacturing site was also recognized by the WHC, achieving Certified Silver status in 2023—another example of the company’s growing leadership in corporate sustainability.
WACKER’s efforts in Michigan reflect its broader global goals. The company is working to reduce specific greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve full climate neutrality by 2045. This target has been confirmed by the Science-based Targets Initiative and is aligned to the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. By 2030, 100% of WACKER’s products are expected to make a neutral or positive contribution to sustainability.
The WHC Certification of the Ann Arbor Innovation Center underscores WACKER’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable innovation. As the company advances high-performance product solutions—such as polymer binders for energy-efficient construction—it remains equally focused on building biodiversity and protecting the ecosystems where it operates.
For more information about WACKER’s sustainability and environmental responsibility efforts, visit www.wacker.com.
For more information about the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), visit tandemglobal.org/certification
Press Picture
Wildlife Habitat Council Certification
Staff at Wacker’s Ann Arbor Innovation Center maintain native tree plantings and pollinator-friendly flowerbeds, earning Wildlife Habitat Council Certification. This complements the silver-level WHC Conservation Certification awarded to Wacker’s Adrian location.
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Bluebirdbox
WACKER's Ann Arbor, Michigan headquarters demonstrates a focus on sustainability through features like butterfly gardens with native wildflowers, bluebird and bat boxes, and a robust recycling and composting program.
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