CIA announces Chemical Industry Awards shortlist
8 Jun 2009
The shortlisted entries are:
Environmental Leadership Award – Sponsored by SEPA
Aesica Pharmaceutical Limited - Northumbria, North East
The company has a progressive environmental policy that has significantly reduced raw material inputs and energy use. The company is committed to a "zero waste to landfill" target and works with a local conservation group to improve the biodiversity of the site.
FIS Chemicals Ltd – Aberdeen, Scotland
This small company has reduced or removed ingredients that have a major environmental impact, reduced its energy use and invested heavily in marine toxicity testing. They also offer their customers chemical safety and environment advice.
GSK Ulverston – Cumbria, North West
Through a process of business rationalisation, process efficiency improvements and capital investment in manufacturing plant, solvent recovery systems and abatement equipment the Ulverston site has reduced its environmental footprint, reduced emissions in a sustainable manner and has had excellent compliance with environmental regulations.
Johnson Matthey Plc
The company is a world leader in environmental technologies and more than 50% of its profits are generated from products and technologies that benefit the environment. Since 2005 they have reduced the environmental burden of global operations: - energy consumption is down 37%, CO2 emissions are 39% lower, NOx emissions are down 43%, total waste is 35% lower and water consumption is down 34%.
Innovation Award – Sponsored by Innospec Speciality Chemicals
BASF - Cheadle Hulm, North West
Innovation in stock management, which significantly improved stock and picking accuracy and instilled the necessary confidence to begin the process of reducing the BASF stock holding, whilst increasing its business activities. Since the measures were introduced the volume of stock held has been reduced by 52%, the stock turn rate has increased by 42% and BASF’s warehousing costs have been reduced by 45%.
Lucite International UK Limited – Wilton, North East
Lucite have revolutionised the production of methyl methacrylate which is the main building block for acrylic plastics (many applications from bathrooms to golf balls). A team of chemists and engineers developed their Alpha technology and it allows production to be more flexible and much more environmentally sustainable.
Oxford Catalysts Limited – Oxford
Oxford Catalysts Ltd is a small university spin off that has combined two break through technologies in chemistry and mechanical engineering to address the production of clean fuels economically from biomass and other waste in away that does not impact negatively on the food chain.
Rhodia UK Ltd – Birmingham
Rhodia has revolutionised biocide technology in the North Sea gas industry. Rhodia has improved the performance of TOLCIDE PS50A whilst reducing its environmental impacts.
Low Carbon Award – Sponsored by British Energy
Croda International Plc – Hull, Yorkshire and Humber
This Hull site has fully embraced energy management at all levels with significant achievement over the last 8 years: 57% reduction in energy consumption per unit of production; 62% reduction in water consumption per unit of production; 53% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Huntsman Polyurethanes - Wilton, North East
Huntsman have over the last few years committed to an energy and carbon reduction programme with a number of schemes that challenged the way they used to run their plants. Future improvements are being developed with changes to processes to react out impurities.
INEOS Chlor Limited – Runcorn, North West
Chlorine is produced by the electrolysis of brine, which is very energy intensive so energy efficiency is the cornerstone of a sustainable business. A multimillion-pound investment has enabled INEOS to improve energy efficiency by 17%. INEOS now have firm plans to procure low carbon energy for the future through building the largest Energy from Waste Combined Heat and Power plant in the UK.
ABB Manufacturing and Resource Efficiency Award – Sponsored by ABB
GlaxoSmithKline – Montrose, Scotland
This recently reinvigorated site has the goal to set a standard for a lean primary manufacturing operation within GSK through having a clearly understood ambition that all employees can commit their hearts and minds to. They have launched a culture of continuous improvement with a clear focus is given to energy and resource utilisation.
Innospec Limited – Ellesmere Port, North West
Manufacturing excellence has been the cornerstone of Innospec’s transformation from bulk manufacturer to a resource efficient site producing speciality chemicals. A focus on innovation and challenging the status quo, plus a flexible workforce has created a site fit for purpose.
Macfarlan Smith Limited – Edinburgh, Scotland
The company has transformed the manufacture of Oxycodone Hydrochloride, used in pharmaceuticals, to improve environmental impact, improve product performance and increased volume of production, cut product price and boost customer satisfaction
Pentagon Fine Chemicals - Widnes, North West
Teamwork is behind Pentagon’s drive for continuous improvement. Integrated Product Teams ensure a structured approach to defining the problem, identifying and implementing the solution with clear open communication throughout. A win-win culture ensures everyone is working towards the same goals. This approach has been hugely successful in improving output of right first time products as well as reducing costs and environmental burden.
Robinson Brothers Limited - West Bromwich, West Midlands
Faced with tough competition Robinson’s needed to produce more from less. Process Improvements Groups using standard problem solving techniques, together with external help, quickly identified areas to reduce costs and improve process efficiencies. Continuous improvements coupled with step change advances have improved value added by 50% over 10 years.
Professional and Engineering Supplier Award - Sponsored by Johnson Matthey
ABB Engineering Services Ltd – Billingham, North East
In-depth industry knowledge and a strong trust-based relationship with customers are at the heart of ABB Engineering Services’ programme to assist the chemical industry with development of core technical and process safety competencies across a wide range of engineering disciplines. ABB are renowned for their free lunchtime seminars, which enable the industry to discuss current hot topics.
Haden Freeman Group - Denton, North West
HFL’s have a unique approach to the development and application of innovative and sustainable technologies, combining a wealth experience with pragmatic common sense. Well recognised for risk management, the company boasts 20% of UK top COMAH sites in its client list. The company also works hard to promote engineering to young people and encourage them into the industry.
LME (UK) Ltd - Rumney, Wales
LME have a growing reputation in South Wales for reliability, competency, flexibility and competitiveness that have seen this small company obtain contracts historically only given too much larger organisations. Accredited to international standards LME also works closely with local colleges to ensure a continuous supply of mechanical engineering apprentices.
Sembcorp UK Protection Group - Middlesbrough,
Semcorp provides around-the-clock protection, security, and emergency cover for over £14 billion worth of high-hazard industrial assets on some of the most challenging sites. Its commitment to maintaining world-class industry standards is evidenced by Sembcorp UK becoming the only company in the world in its sector to secure the prestigious BS 25999-2: 2007 (Business Continuity Management. Specification)
Reputation Award - Sponsored by Dow Chemical
Chemical Sciences Scotland – Stirling, Scotland
Chemical Sciences Scotland’s Hidden Formula campaign is based on the finding that the chemical industries contribution to the economy goes largely unrecognised. A successful media campaign to get good news stories into the media has been run with stories being picked up by national as well as local press. This has raised the profile and opened doors for industry to meet with politicians and other stakeholders.
Dow Corning Ltd - Barry, Wales
A 30-acre nature area has been developed alongside the manufacturing plant, with the aim of showing that wildlife and industry can co-exist happily. This has helped improve the company and industry reputation locally. Over1640 children have attended activities at the center since opening. A year-long programme has been created with a part-time education officer to deliver fun, hands-on learning activities.
Huntsman Polyurethanes - Redcar, North East
Huntsman have a long history of community involvement, being instrumental in the set up and running of local community panels around Wilton. These have done much
to build trust and keep the community well informed. The company has worked with others to establish the Wilton visitors’ centre, which now plays host to hundreds of children who undertake activities to improve industry awareness.
INEOS Manufacturing Scotland Ltd - Grangemouth, Scotland
Engaging with young people is at the heart of INEOS’s reputation programme. Initiatives include an annual Science Engineering and Technology fair, World at Workdays for 4-11 year olds and encouraging staff to become Science Ambassadors. The company also work very closely with local colleges to encourage uptake of engineering and ensure training is world class.
SABIC UK Petrochemicals – Redcar, North East
Statuatry Cracker overhauls result in periods of heavy and noisy flaring, so timely communications about this is absolutely key. Building on its long-term relations with stakeholders, a wide spread communications programme was put in place. Local children were involved and a safety initiative that donates £10,000 to local good causes established. These initiatives resulted in widespread media coverage, which helped promote the key messages.
Responsible Care Special Award for Process Safety Leadership - Sponsored by Shell UK
LyondellBasell Industries Urmston, North West
The Carrington site was one of the first to introduce leading and lagging process safety indicators, through a process of broad employee participation. This has led to the identification and elimination of a number of minor issues that could eventually have led to a significant incident. The leadership demonstrated resulted in the site becoming the flagship for the rest of the organisation.
Croda International Plc - Goole, East Yorkshire
Croda’s focus has been on highly visible leadership, with process safety being reported on in the annual report and business Sector Presidents being responsible for cascading targets and objectives. Benchmarking operations have been critical in ensuring best in class performance, with each process having a full Process Risk Assessment and Basis of Safety .
GlaxoSmithKline Montrose - Montrose, Scotland
Process safety forms part of the site’s "Blue Chip" Compliance objectives and all personal development plans from the "top down" are aligned to ensure best practice is achieved at all times across all levels of the business. Led by the Site Director the site plays an important role within the GSK’s Process Safety Steering team, taking the lead for all Primary Supply sites.
INEOS ChlorVinyls Runcor, North West
Analysis of the Texas City incident report highlighted areas for improvement. A much improved performance monitoring system was implemented and an employee engagement programme undertaken, led by the CEO. Performance indicators have been introduced which has further raised awareness and led to significant improvements.
Innospec Ellesmere Port – North West
Process Safety has always been an evolutionary strategy in the company. A ‘Basis of Safety’ programme was established for the major hazard processes. A site-wide training programme ensured this new approach was embedded in employees’ daily working practices. This was followed by introduction of performance indicators, the results of which are reviewed quarterly by the Executive Board.
Kemfine UK Ltd - Grangemouth, Stirlingshire
Communication, visibility and integration into all activities are seen as the key reasons for the successful process safety performance at Kemfine. In addition to discussions at Board level, senior managers ‘walk the talk’ and actively involve unions and safety representatives in all process safety improvement activities.
Pentagon Fine Chemicals – Widnes, North West
Visible leadership from the CEO, appointment of a designated process safety leader and a commitment to sharing best practice have led to a strong safety culture within Pentagon. An improvement plan is in place with relevant performance indicators, and a trusted open culture ensures that this has been embraced by all employees.
Skills Award - Sponsored by Cogent and NSAPI
GlaxoSmithKline Ulveston - Ulverston, North West
The site set out a requirement to enhance training, learning and development as a key part of the approach to change management needed to respond quickly to customer expectations. As part of this process, training has been put in place to multi-skill technicians in the instrument / electrical areas. Checks and balances have been built in to measure the effectiveness of the changes.
INEOS Manufacturing Scotland Ltd - Grangemouth, Scotland
Recognising the shortage of engineers in the industry an Engineer of the Future programme was launched in 2008, working with local academic institutions. This innovative programme provides school leavers with the opportunity to be recruited directly into a discipline-specific training programme that will lead them to a Masters degree qualification in five years.
North East of England Process Industry Cluster – Redcar, North East
The industry led Skills, Education & Engagement Programme goes from primary school activities, including Children Challenging Industry and two mobile classrooms, through science, technology, engineering & maths based school activities into recruitment of apprentices, graduates and mature entrants. It continues with the raising of skills for individuals within employment.
Novartis Grimsby Limited – Grimsby, Lincolnshire
As part of a change programme following site expansion a much simpler organisational structure was put in place with the emphasis on all disciplines working together in flexible, empowered teams with shared responsibility. All employees have been trained in the new way of working, including Emotional Intelligence. All 130 new recruits have also been trained to NVQ level 3
Pentagon Chemical Specialties Ltd - Workington, North West
Competence is one of the foundations of Pentagon’s business and its strategy is to meet the skill needs of both present and future. An innovative shift pattern allows for 2 weeks training after every 10 week cycle. A highly visible traffic light system allows tracking of the training status and is used as a key management tool that underpins production planning.
Solutia UK Ltd - Newport, Wales
Solutia have been at the forefront of the development of a "Certificate of Emergency Response". The certificate is part of the new modular approach to NVQ’s and will be applicable to COMAH sites. 21 Members of the emergency response team are now qualified and the company have used this opportunity to bench mark its emergency response performance.
Young Ambassador Award - Sponsored by BASF plc
This Award is to recognize an outstanding young person demonstrating communications skills and leadership associated with the chemical industry, and contributing to its success.
The judges were looking for a Young Ambassador who has the ability to convey to others the excitement and opportunities the industry offers as well as an appreciation of the challenges and opportunities facing it.
Colin Laing, INEOS Manufacturing Scotland Ltd, Grangemouth
Oluwabunmi Odumosu, Dow Corning Ltd, Barry
Gareth Pemberton, Air Products, Walton-on Thames
Greg Simmonds, GlaxoSmithKline, Slough
Amelia Spence, Dow Corning Ltd, Barry
David Weaver, GlaxoSmithKline, Crawley
