| |
 |
 |
To have performed
or revised, within the past five years, environmental
audits of our facilities. |
|
| |
|
 |
|
Two-thirds
of facilities have performed environmental audits within
the past five years. |
|
| |
|
 |
|
Continuing
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
In December 2002, we made a commitment to reduce our greenhouse
gas emissions in France by 30% between 1990 and 2010.
Initiatives focused on improving processes for recycling
nitrous oxide in the nitric acid unit at the Chalampé
facility. We plan to extend these measures to our units
in Brazil and South Korea between 2005 and 2010. In addition,
a process to quantify volatile organic compound (VOC)
emissions has been implemented and actions plans have
been introduced in the relevant facilities. |
|
 |
Preventing
any significant impact |
Rhodia has deployed appropriate resources to prevent any significant
harmful environmental impact from its past or current industrial operations.
|
Systematic
initiatives |
An environmental audit is conducted every five years at each facility
to identify, assess and rank impacts in areas such as water, air and
waste. The findings form the basis for improvement objectives and
action plans for equipment, capital expenditure, organization and
other issues. Releases and emissions are tracked using the European
Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) grid, with results reported annually.
Sites generating the highest emissions are required to set improvement
targets.
In line with its commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions
in France by 30% between 1990 and 2010, a program to abate N2O emissions
from nitrite units is being deployed. More than €15 million
has been invested in this project in recent years. Curbing volatile
organic compound (VOC) emissions also remains a key priority, with
implementation of a process to quantify VOCs and the introduction
of appropriate action plans. Significant reductions will be achieved
at the methylchlorosilane unit in Roussillon, France. A third focus
is on SOx, with the late 2002 introduction of a system that will cut
SO2 releases from the Rieme, Belgium, sulfuric acid regeneration facility
by 90%.
|
Remediating contaminated soil and groundwater |
We also are continuing to remediate decommissioned industrial facilities.
Programs are in place to acquire the relevant data (past use, hydrogeological
conditions, potential targets and analyses) to enable us to immediately
deliver remedial solutions in the event of adverse impact on the environment
or neighboring communities and to implement the most appropriate treatment.
 |
Jacqueline Supplisson, Chairman, Port-Neuf Neighborhood
Committee in La Rochelle, France, home to Rhodia Electronics
& Catalysis
|
What
does your committee do? |
Like the other neighborhood committees in La Rochelle, the Port-Neuf
Committee promotes dialogue between residents, elected officials
and companies on a variety of local issues. |
This role is widely recognized and was strengthened with the signature
on September 26, 2002 of the “Charter to Support Participatory
Democracy.” The Charter created three area councils, which gave
us real power to influence things. We are an independent organization,
without any political affiliation. To pay our logistics expenses,
for example, we organize various events.
|
What
kind of relationship do you have with Rhodia? |
Our relationship with Rhodia has improved significantly over the last
decade or so. We have regular discussions at our meetings and during
annual visits to the Rhodia plant. In the event of problems, we have
a dedicated contact person whom we can call and who takes into account
our concerns regarding safety, air and effluent quality, noise and
odors.
So we’ve managed to create a relationship of trust based on
transparent information. For example, we’re told about safety
enhancements and what standards are applied. Since the AZF explosion,
people living around the plant are a lot more sensitive to these issues
and need reassurance. So we remain vigilant and make sure Rhodia understands
that safety is as important to us as it is to them.
|
Can
you give an example of an action undertaken by Rhodia following
|
| |
a request from
you ? |
Well, we contacted Rhodia about a noise problem related to their ventilating
equipment. It took them a while to find a solution, because they had
to issue a tender, but the problem should be resolved in June 2003.
Rhodia also made other companies aware of the importance of risk management
and the need to take into account the expectations of neighbors. As
a result, over the last few years, the relationship between elected
officials and companies has been much closer. In addition, Enterprise
Clubs have come to us to initiate dialogue.
Denis Vaubourg, QSE Manager at the Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or
plant (Lyon, France)
|
Why
did you have your environmental management system |
| |
certified to ISO
14001 standards ? |
For several reasons. First, because, unlike other Group facilities,
we’re located in the middle of a residential area northwest
of Lyon, on the banks of the Saône river. As a result, we’re
in contact with neighborhood organizations, fishermen’s groups
and local authorities. ISO 14001 certification sends them a strong
signal, reflecting our ongoing commitment in our local relations.
In addition, customers as well as resellers are increasingly asking
in their quality questionnaires if we’re certified to ISO 14001
standards. If we say no, they then want to know when we expect to
be certified.
|
What
differences have you noted with SIMSER+ |
| |
(the Rhodia Integrated
Safety and Environment Management System) ? |
There are no real differences between the two systems in terms of
structure, since both are based on identifying dangers and evaluating
risks (IDER). ISO 14001 focuses mainly on monitoring environmental
performance, but SIMSER+, Rhodia’s system, also integrates these
criteria.
We were certified to SIMSER+ standards in December 2001 and to ISO
14001 standards in February 2002 but from a practical standpoint we
didn’t have to make any changes in our environmental management
process between the two audits. On the other hand, during the certification
phase, we had very beneficial exchanges with the AFAQ quality assurance
auditors, who came as experts rather than “inspectors”
and often suggested areas for improvement.
|
Testimonial :
Jean Lamberti, Vice President Environment Europe |
" We intend to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
both in France, to participate in the country’s national
commitment, and globally, following ratification of the Kyoto
Protocol. We’ve committed to reducing our emissions in
France by 30% between 1990 and 2010. "
|
«
We intend to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, both in France,
to participate in the country’s national commitment as a founding
member of Association des Entreprises pour la Réduction de
l’Effet de Serre (AERES), and globally, following ratification
of the Kyoto Protocol. We’ve committed to reducing our emissions
in France by 30% between 1990 and 2010. This target, which takes
into account measures we’ve already deployed, as well as volume
growth in our French operations, goes beyond the 28% decrease asked
of French industry in application of the Kyoto Protocol.
We are primarily concentrating on nitrous oxide (N2O) stemming from
the production of adipic acid (one of the two basic intermediates
in the manufacture of polyamide 6.6) and carbon dioxide (CO2) released
by processes, fossil fuels and substitute fuels.
The plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions mainly concerns the
Chalampé site, where we set up a pilot process in 1997 to
recycle N2O into nitric acid. Already in 2002, we took steps at
Chalampé to improve measurement of N2O emissions and to increase
the N2O unit’s effectiveness. Anticipated continuous improvement
in processes should cut our N2O emissions by around four million
metric tons carbon equivalent a year, which represents nearly 25%
of what is being asked of France for 1990-2010.
Rhodia is also committed to treating N2O in South Korea and Brazil,
the two other countries where we make adipic acid. Lastly, we plan
to reduce CO2 emissions by 40%, primarily by setting up cogeneration
facilities at our main sites.»
|
A tangible initiative |
The state of Texas asked the Rhodia Inc. Freeport
plant to gradually reduce its NOx emissions by 80% by the year
2007. This requirement has already been met, with the installation
of a new steam generating system. |
|
The
state of Texas has asked the Rhodia Inc. Freeport plant to gradually
reduce its NOX emissions by 80% by the year 2007, in order to comply
with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. The plant’s
main boiler has been equipped with a new burner system that allows
it to produce a sufficient amount of steam, which is critical for
production, while reducing NOX emissions to a minimum. Operations
of the backup boiler will also be optimized to comply with these
restrictions.
The decision to take this proactive approach to reducing NOX emissions,
in lieu of a phase-out, was made not only for reasons of cost-effectiveness,
but also because it was better for the environment.
Today, the plant already complies with the new regulatory requirements.
Under the state’s Mass Emissions Cap and Trade program, there
is a market for NOX emissions in Texas. Freeport can therefore continue
to sell emission credits on the market or to transfer them to the
Houston sister plant, as it has done in the past. |
