Clariant is committed to generating genuine, sustainable added value. This requires the best possible balance between ecological, social and economic needs, the highest priorities being personal safety and environmentally sound processes and products.
Commitment to sustainability
Clariant’s mandatory principles on Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) are laid down in the group’s ESH rules. Besides compliance with national laws and regulations, the goals of the “Business Charter for Sustainable Development” of the International Chamber of Commerce and the “Responsible Care” initiative of the chemical industry serve as guiding principles. With regard to social responsibility, Clariant’s models include the precepts of the International Labor Organization.
Integrated product policy
For Clariant, integrated product policy means the inclusion of all processes along the value chain. Even at the stage of supplier selection, price and quality are not the only criteria: a special appraisal mechanism is used to assess suppliers’ compliance with ESH requirements. In accordance with the principles of local responsibility and accountability, problems are solved where they occur. ESH representatives in every part of the company therefore cooperate closely with the responsible line management. They make sure that the ESH regulations are effectively implemented at all facilities. Regular workshops are held to ensure that all employees accept their share of the responsibility, in line with their functions and their competencies. At the same time Clariant provides its customers with comprehensive information and services to ensure that its products are used in ways that are safe and not harmful to the environment, and can be properly disposed of.
Effective monitoring
Resource consumption, emissions, waste management and safety at work are monitored at all facilities under 40 key indicators, which are then evaluated centrally. This enables success to be measured, and weaknesses – together with their possible causes – to be detected and eliminated. Operational risks are identified with the assistance of a software-supported risk portfolio. This gives detailed information on the most effective use of available resources, thus permitting targeted corrective measures to be taken. Regular internal and external audits are carried out to monitor compliance and support the transfer of experience among the facilities.
Constant improvement
Every year Clariant invests considerable sums in safety and environmental protection. Almost CHF 50 million invested in 2004 was below the level of previous years. One important reason is that Clariant factors in environmental protection at the product development stage and with the introduction of new processes and products. Improvements to existing plants always try to get to the root of the problem and not merely to combat symptoms. As a result, the improvements take many different forms.
Tianjin, China. A new wastewater treatment plant has come on stream. With its capacity of 1 100 cubic meters a day, it will ensure environmentally compatible growth in a promising market.
Thane, India. The facility has developed and successfully commissioned a new plant for burning briquets made from biomass. As a result, the facility no longer needs to use fossil fuels, and the emissions of SO2 from energy generation will be reduced by 70%. Since it has also reduced NOx emissions, the Thane facility now meets European emission standards.
Suzano, Brazil. A new catalytic oxidation method for malodorous, amine-containing waste gases considerably improves the site’s entire emission balance sheet.
Muttenz, Switzerland. A new process prevents the formation of hydrogen in a saponification reaction. By tackling the problem at the root, Clariant has eliminated a possible explosion risk and made significant investment in safety technology unnecessary. In the operations of a third-party firm working on the site, a new production process gives rise to a gas containing butane and toluene. Clariant, which operates the site infrastructure, recovers these two energy sources and uses them as fuel in waste incineration. This approach is a cost-effective solution to the disposal problem and at the same time cuts CO2 emissions.
Selby, UK. At this facility, wastewater with a low phenol content has incurred high disposal costs. As part of a project, a process was developed that enables Clariant to recover the phenol and use it again in production. Since equipment that was no longer needed in Muttenz was used to build the plant, investment was kept low and substantial disposal costs were avoided.
Ahrensburg, Germany. In a project conducted jointly with the authorities and outside consultants, Clariant analyzed noise emissions from about 200 different noise sources, identifying seven main sources. Specific measures significantly reduced the noise emissions at these points and greatly eased the noise-related disturbance in the neighborhood.
Masterbatches Division. The division has made infrared photography mandatory at all plants, in order to systematically identify heat build-up at faults in electrical components and cables, so-called “hot” contacts. Defective electric circuits can be identified before they become a problem and potential causes of fires eliminated.
Group ESHA. Coordinated by Group ESHA, a cross-divisional program was initiated in 2004 to further increase production safety. As part of this program, additional risk analyses are being conducted worldwide for selected processes.
Further information is contained in the brochure “Clariant’s
position on environment, safety, health,” which can be downloaded
from www.esha.clariant.com