Chemicals industry award winners

London - The Chemical Industries Association has recently announced the winners of this year's Chemical Industry Awards. At a presentation event at the Murrayfield Rugby Stadium in Edinburgh, Steve Elliott, chief executive of the CIA, said:, “This year’s quality of entries reflects the outstanding contribution made by the chemical industry to a better quality of life for us all despite a very tough trading times.”

Company of the Year – GlaxoSmithKline

GSK is a UK headquartered company that is a global industry leader. With sites across the country they are manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients, pioneering lean manufacturing, and prioritising standardisation and structural changes to ensure a sustainable business that supplies the highest quality products, maintains a focus on cost performance, and is committed to corporate responsibility including process safety, control of chemical exposure and environmental sustainability. All this contributes to the mission to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

Young Ambassador Award – Greg Simmonds, GSK

Greg won over the judges by demonstrating incredible enthusiasm for the industry, impeccable communication skills and recognisable leadership within the chemical industry; his work as an ambassador for science and engineering within schools; and of course the high standards he as achieved in cutting emissions and improving resource efficiency at GSK. ??As Young Ambassador Greg will chair the Chemical Industry Future Forum, which is an organisation for people who are at the early stages of their careers in chemical businesses across the UK. The Ambassador will also work with the Chemical Industries Association to promote the reputation of the industry.

Innovation Award - Lucite International UK Ltd

The Innovation Award, sponsored by Innospec went to Lucite for their work to revolutionise the production of methyl methacrylate. ??Methyl methacrylate is the main building block for acrylic plastics, which have many everyday applications from bathrooms to golf balls. A team of chemists and engineers developed their Alpha technology, which allows production to be more flexible and much more environmentally sustainable because they have virtually eliminated all waste treatment costs and achieved almost total conversion of raw materials into product.

ABB Manufacturing and Resource Efficiency Award - Pentagon Fine Chemicals

This Award is to recognise the company that can demonstrate world-class manufacturing performance or the most successful improvement to its manufacturing performance with significant improvements to resource efficiency (raw materials, energy, water, utilities etc) within the manufacturing process.??Pentagon won the award for the teamwork behind its 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.

Professional and Engineering Supplier Award - Sembcorp UK Protection Group

The purpose of this Award, sponsored by Johnson Matthey, is to recognise the companies providing key hands-on support to the chemical industry to ensure sites can perform their daily operations. ??Sembcorp UK Protection Group, a business unit of Sembcorp Utilities (UK) Limited won the award for providing 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).

Environmental Leadership Award - Johnson Matthey

The Environmental Leadership Award, sponsored by the Scottish Envrionment Protection Agency went to Johnson Matthey because Sustainability 2017 is a long term vision focused on making Johnson Matthey a more sustainable business Targets are set to at least double earnings per share whilst achieving carbon neutrality, zero waste to landfill, zero accidents and halving the key resources that are consumed per unit of output by 2017. Good progress is being made with waste, water and energy all reduced by over one third.

Reputation Award - Dow Corning Ltd

This Award sponsored by Dow Chemical recognises the company that has shown best practice in communications, enhancing its reputation and that of industry at large. Dow Corning Ltd received the award because of the effort they have made to develop a 30 acre nature area has been developed alongside their manufacturing plant in the Vale of Glamorgan showing that wildlife and industry can happily co-exist. It has helped improve the company and industry reputation locally. Over1640 children have attended activities at the nature centre since opening and a year-long programme has been created with a part-time education officer to deliver fun, hands-on learning activities.

Responsible Care Special Award for Process Safety Leadership - Croda International Plc

For this award sponsored by Shell Chemicals the judges were looking for demonstrable leadership by senior management and engagement of staff at all levels, as well as excellence in process safety performance; how it was carried out and actions implemented. Croda won the award in recognition of the focus 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.

Industry Low Carbon Award - INEOS Chlor Ltd

The Low Carbon Award sponsored by British Energy recognises enhanced energy management and carbon footprint reduction in areas such as process improvements, use of alternative energy sources and energy saving across the supply chain. INEOS impressed the judges with their Energy Efficiency Improvement programme, which has been rolled out across its large site and energy management techniques incorporated into plant operation. Monitoring systems have been installed and along with state of the art production plant has helped to a carbon dioxide reduction of ¼ million tonnes per year during the last 10 years. A new CHP plant will further reduce the carbon footprint once fully operational.

Skills Award - INEOS Manufacturing Scotland Ltd

The Skills Award sponsored by Cogent and the National Skill Academy for the Process Industries recognises the company that has done most to contribute to the acquisition of skills through its workforce. ??INEOS won this award for their innovative Engineers of the Future programme. Working with local colleges INEOS have developed a course which sees school leavers being recruited directly onto a training programme, that will lead them to a Masters degree qualification with associated practical skills developed over a five year period. As the individuals progress though the programme they gain relevant knowledge of site plant and process and develop a wide range of practical skills required in the refining and petrochemical industry.

Responsible Care Award - GlaxoSmithKline Montrose

The Award, sponsored by INEOS is for the site, which has excelled by demonstrating leadership and a creative approach to Responsible Care. Working safely and sustainably is at the heart of how GlaxoSmithKline’s Montrose site supports production of life-saving and enhancing medicines. A previous CIA Responsible Care Award winner, the site’s goal is improved environment, health and safety performance year on year. The strong EHS ethos extends externally including significant donations to support local community EHS initiatives.