Tag: 3BL

NEW YORK, April 21, 2026 /3BL/ – A new study released today by Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose© (CECP) demonstrates that companies with deeply integrated corporate purpose across their core business systems achieve significantly better business outcomes in comparison to those that treat purpose as a PR exercise. The 2026 edition of Corporate Purpose: Driving Business Value highlights that while 92% of S&P Global 1200 companies now have a purpose statement, the true competitive advantage lies in “Purpose-Driven Systems”, where purpose is hardwired into a company’s governance, incentives, and operations.

Despite recent shifts in the global business landscape, the research indicates that most organizations are not retreating from corporate purpose. According to a CECP Pulse Survey from March 2026 of 526 respondents, a majority are maintaining or accelerating their commitment: 28% have not changed their strategy, while 26% are leaning further into purpose-led programs.

The research identifies a material difference in performance across the “Purpose Integration Continuum”, a framework for implementing purpose across the organization. Key findings include:

• Organizational Scale: Companies further along the Integration Continuum are not small; they boast a median revenue nearly 2x higher than companies at the “Stated Purpose” stage, suggesting that business integration correlates with long-term scale and longevity.
• Innovation & Creativity: Companies with a well-defined mission report a 30% increase in innovation rates, reflecting how clarity and alignment unlock creative execution.
• Operational Resilience: Nearly all CEOs (99%) now view these efforts as central to long-term value creation and competitive advantage rather than optional or reputational exercises.
• Workforce Stability: Highly integrated companies see significantly lower voluntary turnover (6.3%) compared to those that only state their purpose (8.1%).

“The presence of a purpose statement is no longer a differentiator, it is the baseline, with 92% of the S&P Global 1200 already on board,” said Kate Stobbe, Director of Insights, CECP. “Our data shows that the most resilient and successful companies are those that move beyond aspiration to execution. By embedding purpose into durable systems like executive compensation and risk management, these organizations aren’t just doing good; they are building a strategic infrastructure that drives measurable returns and protects companies’ long-term value through volatility.”

The report contains several company case studies. In 2015, Walmart made a controversial decision to raise its starting wage to $9 an hour—a move that initially triggered a 10% drop in its share price and drew skepticism from investors. At the time, the company faced high employee turnover, mounting pressure from labor activists, and deteriorating customer experience. Then CEO Doug McMillon responded by listening to frontline workers and addressing core operational issues, including wages, scheduling stability, store leadership, training, and inventory management. While the decision carried short-term market costs, it helped catalyze Walmart’s sustained sales growth, online expansion, and a roughly 10% improvement in employee retention, contributing to long-term value creation, with U.S. sales growth every year since 2015 and global revenue reaching $681 billion.

For the methodology, CECP conducted a five-year longitudinal analysis of the S&P Global 1200 companies to distinguish between different stages of purpose adoption throughout the business. The research utilized a Purpose Integration Index based on 11 observable and externally verifiable management actions across five domains: governance, incentives, risk management, climate, and human rights. Companies were categorized into three stages—Stated Purpose, Operationalized Purpose, and Purpose-Driven Systems. Supplemental data includes a Pulse Survey of 526 respondents regarding strategy shifts and business case sentiment on purpose.

CECP Media Contact

Katie Leasor

kleasor@cecp.co

###

 

About Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP)

Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP) is the only nonpartisan business counsel and network dedicated to driving measurable returns on purpose. We promote responsible purpose-driven business as it increases customer loyalty, builds employee engagement, improves brand trust, attracts top talent, connects with strategic investors, and contributes to the bottom line.

More than 200 of the world’s leading companies seek to improve their return on purpose through access to CECP’s solutions in research and insights, strategy and benchmarking, and convening and communications. With our companies, we harness the power of purpose for business, stakeholders, and society.

For more information, visit http://cecp.co.

• Decarbonization is simply too expensive for APAC manufacturers, especially SMEs, to undertake alone.
• Most decarbonization efforts today are still project-based.
• Financial incentives present a real opportunity for decarbonization at scale.

The question comes up again and again: What should governments and industry stakeholders prioritize first for decarbonization?

As a fashion manufacturer based in Seoul, South Korea, I see how policy, financing, and implementation challenges come together in real time. In the APAC region, each country is taking a unique approach to a greener economy. These are encouraging signals, but manufacturers across the region are still facing major barriers to action.

As an Editorial Member of Cascale’s APAC Policy Member Expert Team, contributing specifically to the incentives agenda, I see a number of overlapping challenges. Fragmentation, limited interoperability, insufficient incentives, and underrepresentation of decent work issues – Cascale’s recent APAC Policy Priorities paper captures all of these issues.

Amid competing customer demands and faster turnaround times, there is little leeway for manufacturers to invest the time, energy, or resources to decarbonize their facilities. The reality is that decarbonization is simply too expensive for APAC manufacturers, especially SMEs, to tackle alone. For many SMEs, decarbonization is not a strategic choice but a financial constraint, where even well-intentioned efforts are limited by access to capital. That is exactly why incentives are critical.

Decarbonization is not a willingness issue. It is a financing issue.

Without a support mechanism such as loans or blended financing, companies cannot invest in renewable energy or low-carbon equipment.

This is one of the reasons why decarbonization incentives are a key priority in the APAC Policy Priorities Paper. The paper recognizes that many suppliers and SMEs face significant barriers due to high costs and limited access to finance, and calls for targeted support mechanisms, including subsidies, preferential financing, and investment in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. The stated goal is to make the transition more practical, more scalable, and more inclusive across the supply chain.

Also, most decarbonization efforts today are still project-based. What we need is a system-based approach across the supply chain from now on. This is why we need to invest in expanding infrastructure, more coordinated support, and policy conditions that help solutions scale.

Incentives are also very critical. However, incentives without execution or without reliable data or without verified data are not enough on their own. We need a clear implementation framework to scale the incentives.

If I had to choose one action item for decarbonization, it would be linking financial incentives directly to the verified data. This could include preferential financing for facilities with verified emissions data, tax incentives tied to measurable reductions, or blended finance mechanisms that reduce upfront capital investment for renewable energy adoption. For example, factories with verified Scope 1 and 2 emissions data could access preferential financing rates or performance-based incentives tied to demonstrated reductions. This creates both accountability and motivation. Without such incentive mechanisms, scaling will be difficult.

If we want decarbonization to move faster across APAC, we need policies and financing approaches that reflect how manufacturers actually operate. That starts with making support accessible, practical, and tied to real progress.

Curious to learn more? Explore the full APAC Policy Priorities Paper and, for members, continue the conversation through the recent webinar featuring insights from APAC Policy MET members.

Download the PaperMembers: Watch the Webinar on Cascale Connect

• Decarbonization is simply too expensive for APAC manufacturers, especially SMEs, to undertake alone.
• Most decarbonization efforts today are still project-based.
• Financial incentives present a real opportunity for decarbonization at scale.

The question comes up again and again: What should governments and industry stakeholders prioritize first for decarbonization?

As a fashion manufacturer based in Seoul, South Korea, I see how policy, financing, and implementation challenges come together in real time. In the APAC region, each country is taking a unique approach to a greener economy. These are encouraging signals, but manufacturers across the region are still facing major barriers to action.

As an Editorial Member of Cascale’s APAC Policy Member Expert Team, contributing specifically to the incentives agenda, I see a number of overlapping challenges. Fragmentation, limited interoperability, insufficient incentives, and underrepresentation of decent work issues – Cascale’s recent APAC Policy Priorities paper captures all of these issues.

Amid competing customer demands and faster turnaround times, there is little leeway for manufacturers to invest the time, energy, or resources to decarbonize their facilities. The reality is that decarbonization is simply too expensive for APAC manufacturers, especially SMEs, to tackle alone. For many SMEs, decarbonization is not a strategic choice but a financial constraint, where even well-intentioned efforts are limited by access to capital. That is exactly why incentives are critical.

Decarbonization is not a willingness issue. It is a financing issue.

Without a support mechanism such as loans or blended financing, companies cannot invest in renewable energy or low-carbon equipment.

This is one of the reasons why decarbonization incentives are a key priority in the APAC Policy Priorities Paper. The paper recognizes that many suppliers and SMEs face significant barriers due to high costs and limited access to finance, and calls for targeted support mechanisms, including subsidies, preferential financing, and investment in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. The stated goal is to make the transition more practical, more scalable, and more inclusive across the supply chain.

Also, most decarbonization efforts today are still project-based. What we need is a system-based approach across the supply chain from now on. This is why we need to invest in expanding infrastructure, more coordinated support, and policy conditions that help solutions scale.

Incentives are also very critical. However, incentives without execution or without reliable data or without verified data are not enough on their own. We need a clear implementation framework to scale the incentives.

If I had to choose one action item for decarbonization, it would be linking financial incentives directly to the verified data. This could include preferential financing for facilities with verified emissions data, tax incentives tied to measurable reductions, or blended finance mechanisms that reduce upfront capital investment for renewable energy adoption. For example, factories with verified Scope 1 and 2 emissions data could access preferential financing rates or performance-based incentives tied to demonstrated reductions. This creates both accountability and motivation. Without such incentive mechanisms, scaling will be difficult.

If we want decarbonization to move faster across APAC, we need policies and financing approaches that reflect how manufacturers actually operate. That starts with making support accessible, practical, and tied to real progress.

Curious to learn more? Explore the full APAC Policy Priorities Paper and, for members, continue the conversation through the recent webinar featuring insights from APAC Policy MET members.

Download the PaperMembers: Watch the Webinar on Cascale Connect

• Decarbonization is simply too expensive for APAC manufacturers, especially SMEs, to undertake alone.
• Most decarbonization efforts today are still project-based.
• Financial incentives present a real opportunity for decarbonization at scale.

The question comes up again and again: What should governments and industry stakeholders prioritize first for decarbonization?

As a fashion manufacturer based in Seoul, South Korea, I see how policy, financing, and implementation challenges come together in real time. In the APAC region, each country is taking a unique approach to a greener economy. These are encouraging signals, but manufacturers across the region are still facing major barriers to action.

As an Editorial Member of Cascale’s APAC Policy Member Expert Team, contributing specifically to the incentives agenda, I see a number of overlapping challenges. Fragmentation, limited interoperability, insufficient incentives, and underrepresentation of decent work issues – Cascale’s recent APAC Policy Priorities paper captures all of these issues.

Amid competing customer demands and faster turnaround times, there is little leeway for manufacturers to invest the time, energy, or resources to decarbonize their facilities. The reality is that decarbonization is simply too expensive for APAC manufacturers, especially SMEs, to tackle alone. For many SMEs, decarbonization is not a strategic choice but a financial constraint, where even well-intentioned efforts are limited by access to capital. That is exactly why incentives are critical.

Decarbonization is not a willingness issue. It is a financing issue.

Without a support mechanism such as loans or blended financing, companies cannot invest in renewable energy or low-carbon equipment.

This is one of the reasons why decarbonization incentives are a key priority in the APAC Policy Priorities Paper. The paper recognizes that many suppliers and SMEs face significant barriers due to high costs and limited access to finance, and calls for targeted support mechanisms, including subsidies, preferential financing, and investment in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. The stated goal is to make the transition more practical, more scalable, and more inclusive across the supply chain.

Also, most decarbonization efforts today are still project-based. What we need is a system-based approach across the supply chain from now on. This is why we need to invest in expanding infrastructure, more coordinated support, and policy conditions that help solutions scale.

Incentives are also very critical. However, incentives without execution or without reliable data or without verified data are not enough on their own. We need a clear implementation framework to scale the incentives.

If I had to choose one action item for decarbonization, it would be linking financial incentives directly to the verified data. This could include preferential financing for facilities with verified emissions data, tax incentives tied to measurable reductions, or blended finance mechanisms that reduce upfront capital investment for renewable energy adoption. For example, factories with verified Scope 1 and 2 emissions data could access preferential financing rates or performance-based incentives tied to demonstrated reductions. This creates both accountability and motivation. Without such incentive mechanisms, scaling will be difficult.

If we want decarbonization to move faster across APAC, we need policies and financing approaches that reflect how manufacturers actually operate. That starts with making support accessible, practical, and tied to real progress.

Curious to learn more? Explore the full APAC Policy Priorities Paper and, for members, continue the conversation through the recent webinar featuring insights from APAC Policy MET members.

Download the PaperMembers: Watch the Webinar on Cascale Connect

• Solvents made from renewable feedstocks help reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-based materials
• Drop-in replacements preserve established chromatography performance
• Supports progress toward sustainability targets by lowering product-related greenhouse gas emissions

BURLINGTON, Mass., April 21, 2026 /3BL/ – MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced the launch of the first bio-based solvent portfolio specifically for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Manufactured using renewable feedstocks, these new patent-pending¹ solvents deliver on average 25.9% lower CO₂ equivalents² compared with conventional fossil-fuel-based HPLC-grade solvents, while preserving the performance required for demanding analytical workflows.

“Our new bio-based HPLC solvents represent the next generation of high-performance liquid chromatography,” said Karen Madden, Chief Technology Officer, Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “Customers are looking for solutions that help reduce environmental impact without compromising performance quality. This innovative portfolio aims to deliver the precision, quality and reliability expected in HPLC and is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing methods.”

These bio-based solvents are compatible with established HPLC and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods and instruments, supporting easy adoption in routine and regulated environments. In HPLC, solvents serve as the mobile phase that transports samples through the chromatographic system, enabling separation and quantification of components. This step is critical for generating reliable data in applications such as drug development, quality control in manufacturing, environmental monitoring and diagnostics.

MilliporeSigma developed this innovative portfolio using proprietary manufacturing processes and deep scientific expertise, reinforcing the company’s commitment to advancing more sustainable, high-performance chromatography solutions. The new portfolio includes drop-in replacements for acetonitrile, methanol and ethanol. Because these newly launched bio-based solvents are designed to match conventional performance, laboratories can transition to these alternatives without redeveloping analytical methods, often a rigorous and lengthy process.

This launch further expands MilliporeSigma’s range of greener alternatives designed to help customers reduce environmental impact while preserving the precision and reliability laboratories expect. The new bio-based solvents reflect the company’s broader strategic focus on innovation that supports more sustainable science.

The bio-based HPLC solvents are available on sigmaaldrich.com/Bio-based-HPLC-Solvents.

¹ Patent applications pending on bio-based methanol and acetonitrile.

² Individual bio-based HPLC solvent CO₂e values compared to fossil-fuel-based alternatives are as follows, based on supplier and industry emissions data through EcoInvent: Acetonitrile, BioRenewable, gradient grade for LC (Prod. No. 104771) has a 28% lower CO₂e impact; Methanol, BioRenewable, gradient grade for LC (Prod. No. 106188) has a 29% lower CO₂e impact; Methanol, BioRenewable, hypergrade for LC-MS (Prod. No. 106176) has a 29% lower CO₂e impact; Ethanol, BioRenewable, hypergrade for LC-MS (Prod. No. 117480) has a 17.6% lower CO₂e impact.

About the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has more than 27,000 employees and more than 55 total manufacturing and testing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics.

More than 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2025, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 21.1 billion in 65 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark “Merck” internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company’s technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com.

Follow MilliporeSigma on X (formerly Twitter) @MilliporeSigma, on Facebook @MilliporeSigma and on LinkedIn.

• Solvents made from renewable feedstocks help reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-based materials
• Drop-in replacements preserve established chromatography performance
• Supports progress toward sustainability targets by lowering product-related greenhouse gas emissions

BURLINGTON, Mass., April 21, 2026 /3BL/ – MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced the launch of the first bio-based solvent portfolio specifically for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Manufactured using renewable feedstocks, these new patent-pending¹ solvents deliver on average 25.9% lower CO₂ equivalents² compared with conventional fossil-fuel-based HPLC-grade solvents, while preserving the performance required for demanding analytical workflows.

“Our new bio-based HPLC solvents represent the next generation of high-performance liquid chromatography,” said Karen Madden, Chief Technology Officer, Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “Customers are looking for solutions that help reduce environmental impact without compromising performance quality. This innovative portfolio aims to deliver the precision, quality and reliability expected in HPLC and is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing methods.”

These bio-based solvents are compatible with established HPLC and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods and instruments, supporting easy adoption in routine and regulated environments. In HPLC, solvents serve as the mobile phase that transports samples through the chromatographic system, enabling separation and quantification of components. This step is critical for generating reliable data in applications such as drug development, quality control in manufacturing, environmental monitoring and diagnostics.

MilliporeSigma developed this innovative portfolio using proprietary manufacturing processes and deep scientific expertise, reinforcing the company’s commitment to advancing more sustainable, high-performance chromatography solutions. The new portfolio includes drop-in replacements for acetonitrile, methanol and ethanol. Because these newly launched bio-based solvents are designed to match conventional performance, laboratories can transition to these alternatives without redeveloping analytical methods, often a rigorous and lengthy process.

This launch further expands MilliporeSigma’s range of greener alternatives designed to help customers reduce environmental impact while preserving the precision and reliability laboratories expect. The new bio-based solvents reflect the company’s broader strategic focus on innovation that supports more sustainable science.

The bio-based HPLC solvents are available on sigmaaldrich.com/Bio-based-HPLC-Solvents.

¹ Patent applications pending on bio-based methanol and acetonitrile.

² Individual bio-based HPLC solvent CO₂e values compared to fossil-fuel-based alternatives are as follows, based on supplier and industry emissions data through EcoInvent: Acetonitrile, BioRenewable, gradient grade for LC (Prod. No. 104771) has a 28% lower CO₂e impact; Methanol, BioRenewable, gradient grade for LC (Prod. No. 106188) has a 29% lower CO₂e impact; Methanol, BioRenewable, hypergrade for LC-MS (Prod. No. 106176) has a 29% lower CO₂e impact; Ethanol, BioRenewable, hypergrade for LC-MS (Prod. No. 117480) has a 17.6% lower CO₂e impact.

About the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has more than 27,000 employees and more than 55 total manufacturing and testing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics.

More than 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2025, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 21.1 billion in 65 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark “Merck” internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company’s technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com.

Follow MilliporeSigma on X (formerly Twitter) @MilliporeSigma, on Facebook @MilliporeSigma and on LinkedIn.

• Solvents made from renewable feedstocks help reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-based materials
• Drop-in replacements preserve established chromatography performance
• Supports progress toward sustainability targets by lowering product-related greenhouse gas emissions

BURLINGTON, Mass., April 21, 2026 /3BL/ – MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced the launch of the first bio-based solvent portfolio specifically for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Manufactured using renewable feedstocks, these new patent-pending¹ solvents deliver on average 25.9% lower CO₂ equivalents² compared with conventional fossil-fuel-based HPLC-grade solvents, while preserving the performance required for demanding analytical workflows.

“Our new bio-based HPLC solvents represent the next generation of high-performance liquid chromatography,” said Karen Madden, Chief Technology Officer, Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “Customers are looking for solutions that help reduce environmental impact without compromising performance quality. This innovative portfolio aims to deliver the precision, quality and reliability expected in HPLC and is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing methods.”

These bio-based solvents are compatible with established HPLC and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods and instruments, supporting easy adoption in routine and regulated environments. In HPLC, solvents serve as the mobile phase that transports samples through the chromatographic system, enabling separation and quantification of components. This step is critical for generating reliable data in applications such as drug development, quality control in manufacturing, environmental monitoring and diagnostics.

MilliporeSigma developed this innovative portfolio using proprietary manufacturing processes and deep scientific expertise, reinforcing the company’s commitment to advancing more sustainable, high-performance chromatography solutions. The new portfolio includes drop-in replacements for acetonitrile, methanol and ethanol. Because these newly launched bio-based solvents are designed to match conventional performance, laboratories can transition to these alternatives without redeveloping analytical methods, often a rigorous and lengthy process.

This launch further expands MilliporeSigma’s range of greener alternatives designed to help customers reduce environmental impact while preserving the precision and reliability laboratories expect. The new bio-based solvents reflect the company’s broader strategic focus on innovation that supports more sustainable science.

The bio-based HPLC solvents are available on sigmaaldrich.com/Bio-based-HPLC-Solvents.

¹ Patent applications pending on bio-based methanol and acetonitrile.

² Individual bio-based HPLC solvent CO₂e values compared to fossil-fuel-based alternatives are as follows, based on supplier and industry emissions data through EcoInvent: Acetonitrile, BioRenewable, gradient grade for LC (Prod. No. 104771) has a 28% lower CO₂e impact; Methanol, BioRenewable, gradient grade for LC (Prod. No. 106188) has a 29% lower CO₂e impact; Methanol, BioRenewable, hypergrade for LC-MS (Prod. No. 106176) has a 29% lower CO₂e impact; Ethanol, BioRenewable, hypergrade for LC-MS (Prod. No. 117480) has a 17.6% lower CO₂e impact.

About the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has more than 27,000 employees and more than 55 total manufacturing and testing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics.

More than 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2025, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 21.1 billion in 65 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark “Merck” internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company’s technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com.

Follow MilliporeSigma on X (formerly Twitter) @MilliporeSigma, on Facebook @MilliporeSigma and on LinkedIn.

• New GoDaddy data shows a surge in microbusiness activity across the Scottish Highlands since season two of The Traitors aired in January 2024
• The constituency of Caithness, Sutherland, and Easter Ross – home to Ardross Castle, where The Traitors is filmed – has seen an impressive uplift of 53% in its microbusiness density rate, the number of small businesses per 100 residents
• Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey also grew its microbusiness density rate from 0.76 in 2024 to 1.34 in 2025, an increase of 76%
• The new data comes from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, which analyses over 600,000 British small businesses
• The Traitors became a cultural phenomenon in season two, near doubling its viewing figures to 6.9 million on average, compared to 3.4 million in season one

The Traitors has sparked an entrepreneurial drive in the Scottish Highlands, as new GoDaddy data reveals a dramatic growth in small business activity since the show’s second season aired in January 2024.

The new data comes from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, an international research initiative that studies the economic impact of more than 600,000 small businesses in the UK, as well as the attitudes of their owners. Each constituency in the UK receives a microbusiness density count by mapping the concentration of microbusiness owners against local population sizes.

Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, praised the show for bringing millions of pounds and jobs to the Scottish Highlands, and GoDaddy data demonstrates the economic impact across the region.

Ardross Castle constituency sees 53% rise in Microbusiness Density

The Traitors is filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, within the constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross. The constituency has increased its Microbusiness Density from 0.65 (before the first series aired) to 0.99 today, representing an impressive 53% uplift.

The uplift reflects how a cultural phenomenon parallels real-world opportunity for growth in new businesses across sectors such as tourism, hospitality, transport, and local goods and services among others.

GoDaddy data suggests a wider ripple effect across the Highlands

The Highland constituency of Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey has grown its microbusiness density by an impressive 76% since season two, whilst Ross, Skye and Lochaber experienced strong growth of 66%.

Highland growth has matched – and in some cases outpaced – key economic centres including Glasgow South West (+69%), Edinburgh South West (+73%), Leeds Central (+44%), and Bristol West (+61%).

According to further research from GoDaddy and Frontier Economics, the growth of digital microbusinesses delivers measurable benefits to the wider economy. A 10% increase in digital microbusiness density is linked to an average rise of £360 in median annual pay, 5.1 additional jobs per thousand residents, and over £26 million in additional GDP for a typical local authority of 200,000 people. This constituency-level growth reflects broader economic benefits associated with rising digital microbusiness activity

Alexandra Rosen, Economist and Head of the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, said:

“Major TV moments can act like an economic spark for the places they spotlight. While the business of filming provides a short-term boost to local economies, the real opportunity lies as viewers become inspired to visit and book experiences to get a taste of what they have seen on screen, or local residents become inspired to pursue passions and fulfil local and widespread demands. It is inspiring to see that a surge in attention is being paralleled by entrepreneurs across the Scottish Highlands, delivering benefits to their local economies.”

— ENDS —

Notes to the editors

Growth in Microbusiness Density since Season 2 of The Traitors aired
Highland constituency	Growth since January 2024
Argyll and Bute	+65%
Ross, Skye and Lochaber	+66%
Na h-Eileanan an Iar	+57%
Orkney and Shetland	+85%
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross	+53%
Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey	+76%
Moray	+67%

PR contact

GoDaddy@MHPGroup.com

About GoDaddy
GoDaddy, the world’s largest domain name registrar, helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo^®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

About GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab

GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab is a multi-year research initiative, which analyses data from over 600,000 UK microbusinesses – conducted by GoDaddy to quantify the impact of these microbusinesses on the UK economy and their local communities.

• New GoDaddy data shows a surge in microbusiness activity across the Scottish Highlands since season two of The Traitors aired in January 2024
• The constituency of Caithness, Sutherland, and Easter Ross – home to Ardross Castle, where The Traitors is filmed – has seen an impressive uplift of 53% in its microbusiness density rate, the number of small businesses per 100 residents
• Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey also grew its microbusiness density rate from 0.76 in 2024 to 1.34 in 2025, an increase of 76%
• The new data comes from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, which analyses over 600,000 British small businesses
• The Traitors became a cultural phenomenon in season two, near doubling its viewing figures to 6.9 million on average, compared to 3.4 million in season one

The Traitors has sparked an entrepreneurial drive in the Scottish Highlands, as new GoDaddy data reveals a dramatic growth in small business activity since the show’s second season aired in January 2024.

The new data comes from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, an international research initiative that studies the economic impact of more than 600,000 small businesses in the UK, as well as the attitudes of their owners. Each constituency in the UK receives a microbusiness density count by mapping the concentration of microbusiness owners against local population sizes.

Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, praised the show for bringing millions of pounds and jobs to the Scottish Highlands, and GoDaddy data demonstrates the economic impact across the region.

Ardross Castle constituency sees 53% rise in Microbusiness Density

The Traitors is filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, within the constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross. The constituency has increased its Microbusiness Density from 0.65 (before the first series aired) to 0.99 today, representing an impressive 53% uplift.

The uplift reflects how a cultural phenomenon parallels real-world opportunity for growth in new businesses across sectors such as tourism, hospitality, transport, and local goods and services among others.

GoDaddy data suggests a wider ripple effect across the Highlands

The Highland constituency of Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey has grown its microbusiness density by an impressive 76% since season two, whilst Ross, Skye and Lochaber experienced strong growth of 66%.

Highland growth has matched – and in some cases outpaced – key economic centres including Glasgow South West (+69%), Edinburgh South West (+73%), Leeds Central (+44%), and Bristol West (+61%).

According to further research from GoDaddy and Frontier Economics, the growth of digital microbusinesses delivers measurable benefits to the wider economy. A 10% increase in digital microbusiness density is linked to an average rise of £360 in median annual pay, 5.1 additional jobs per thousand residents, and over £26 million in additional GDP for a typical local authority of 200,000 people. This constituency-level growth reflects broader economic benefits associated with rising digital microbusiness activity

Alexandra Rosen, Economist and Head of the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, said:

“Major TV moments can act like an economic spark for the places they spotlight. While the business of filming provides a short-term boost to local economies, the real opportunity lies as viewers become inspired to visit and book experiences to get a taste of what they have seen on screen, or local residents become inspired to pursue passions and fulfil local and widespread demands. It is inspiring to see that a surge in attention is being paralleled by entrepreneurs across the Scottish Highlands, delivering benefits to their local economies.”

— ENDS —

Notes to the editors

Growth in Microbusiness Density since Season 2 of The Traitors aired
Highland constituency	Growth since January 2024
Argyll and Bute	+65%
Ross, Skye and Lochaber	+66%
Na h-Eileanan an Iar	+57%
Orkney and Shetland	+85%
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross	+53%
Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey	+76%
Moray	+67%

PR contact

GoDaddy@MHPGroup.com

About GoDaddy
GoDaddy, the world’s largest domain name registrar, helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo^®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

About GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab

GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab is a multi-year research initiative, which analyses data from over 600,000 UK microbusinesses – conducted by GoDaddy to quantify the impact of these microbusinesses on the UK economy and their local communities.

• New GoDaddy data shows a surge in microbusiness activity across the Scottish Highlands since season two of The Traitors aired in January 2024
• The constituency of Caithness, Sutherland, and Easter Ross – home to Ardross Castle, where The Traitors is filmed – has seen an impressive uplift of 53% in its microbusiness density rate, the number of small businesses per 100 residents
• Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey also grew its microbusiness density rate from 0.76 in 2024 to 1.34 in 2025, an increase of 76%
• The new data comes from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, which analyses over 600,000 British small businesses
• The Traitors became a cultural phenomenon in season two, near doubling its viewing figures to 6.9 million on average, compared to 3.4 million in season one

The Traitors has sparked an entrepreneurial drive in the Scottish Highlands, as new GoDaddy data reveals a dramatic growth in small business activity since the show’s second season aired in January 2024.

The new data comes from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, an international research initiative that studies the economic impact of more than 600,000 small businesses in the UK, as well as the attitudes of their owners. Each constituency in the UK receives a microbusiness density count by mapping the concentration of microbusiness owners against local population sizes.

Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, praised the show for bringing millions of pounds and jobs to the Scottish Highlands, and GoDaddy data demonstrates the economic impact across the region.

Ardross Castle constituency sees 53% rise in Microbusiness Density

The Traitors is filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, within the constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross. The constituency has increased its Microbusiness Density from 0.65 (before the first series aired) to 0.99 today, representing an impressive 53% uplift.

The uplift reflects how a cultural phenomenon parallels real-world opportunity for growth in new businesses across sectors such as tourism, hospitality, transport, and local goods and services among others.

GoDaddy data suggests a wider ripple effect across the Highlands

The Highland constituency of Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey has grown its microbusiness density by an impressive 76% since season two, whilst Ross, Skye and Lochaber experienced strong growth of 66%.

Highland growth has matched – and in some cases outpaced – key economic centres including Glasgow South West (+69%), Edinburgh South West (+73%), Leeds Central (+44%), and Bristol West (+61%).

According to further research from GoDaddy and Frontier Economics, the growth of digital microbusinesses delivers measurable benefits to the wider economy. A 10% increase in digital microbusiness density is linked to an average rise of £360 in median annual pay, 5.1 additional jobs per thousand residents, and over £26 million in additional GDP for a typical local authority of 200,000 people. This constituency-level growth reflects broader economic benefits associated with rising digital microbusiness activity

Alexandra Rosen, Economist and Head of the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, said:

“Major TV moments can act like an economic spark for the places they spotlight. While the business of filming provides a short-term boost to local economies, the real opportunity lies as viewers become inspired to visit and book experiences to get a taste of what they have seen on screen, or local residents become inspired to pursue passions and fulfil local and widespread demands. It is inspiring to see that a surge in attention is being paralleled by entrepreneurs across the Scottish Highlands, delivering benefits to their local economies.”

— ENDS —

Notes to the editors

Growth in Microbusiness Density since Season 2 of The Traitors aired
Highland constituency	Growth since January 2024
Argyll and Bute	+65%
Ross, Skye and Lochaber	+66%
Na h-Eileanan an Iar	+57%
Orkney and Shetland	+85%
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross	+53%
Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey	+76%
Moray	+67%

PR contact

GoDaddy@MHPGroup.com

About GoDaddy
GoDaddy, the world’s largest domain name registrar, helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo^®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

About GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab

GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab is a multi-year research initiative, which analyses data from over 600,000 UK microbusinesses – conducted by GoDaddy to quantify the impact of these microbusinesses on the UK economy and their local communities.