Management systems

The ALTANA Corporate Environment, Health & Safety Department (EH&S) ensures the implementation of occupational safety as well as occupational  health and environmental protection in line with the key performance indicators  and goals (e.g. environmental targets) defined by the Management Board. The department submits a quarterly report to the Executive Management Team. The  qualification of employees and committees with responsibility for sustainability at ALTANA is ensured by training, professional experience, seminars, and conferences. Environmental and safety targets are part of the personal targets to be achieved by Division Presidents and other executives at ALTANA. They serve to determine variable compensation components that are evaluated annually.

The companies of the ALTANA Group record essential environmental impacts within the scope of their environmental management systems. These include  resource and water consumption along with waste volumes, VOC and CO2 emissions, minor chemical-specific emissions below the applicable limit values in the wastewater

These include  resource and water consumption along with waste volumes, VOC and CO2 emissions, minor chemical-specific emissions below the applicable limit values in the wastewater of ELANTAS Beck India, transports of source materials and finished products by ship, truck, or rail along with impacts on biodiversity (see  also page 59). Opportunities primarily arise from new products, which reduce environmental impacts in the supply chain (see also page 18).

BYK-Chemie in Wesel maintains an integrated management system for the  areas of quality, environment, occupational safety, and operational safety  (Industrial Accident Ordinance). The first-ever certification of the occupational safety management system according to OHSAS 18001 by the Employers' Liability Insurance Association Raw Materials and Chemical Industry is planned for early 2012. BYK-Chemie also established a new energy manager in July to develop a certifiable ener gy management system according to ISO 50001. The first steps in 2011 included participation in the pilot project “Modular Energy Efficiency Model” of the NRW energy agency. The implementation is to be completed by 2013.

During the reporting period, ECKART GmbH in Hartenstein further advanced its energy management system that had previously been implemented in parts.  Plans call for ISO 50001 certification in 2012. ECKART America at the Painesville site now also has a certified environmental management system according to ISO 14001. ELANTAS PDG and ELANTAS Italia (Quattordio, Ascoli Piceno) also started similar programs and hope to become certified in 2012, while the  process may take a bit longer at other companies (ACTEGA WIT, ACTEGA Kelstar, ACTEGA Rhenacoat).

In a parallel effort, BYK-Chemie in Wesel was able to save some 2,800 MWh of energy – the equivalent of 890 metric tons of CO2 – with previous measures. The company plans additional technical measures to save another 8,600 MWh or 3,600 metric tons of climate-damaging carbon dioxide. BYK plans to invest € 4 million in 2012/2013 to optimize the energy efficiency of its production  infrastructure. This will compensate for rising energy prices, such as those resulting from emissions trading, renewable energy, and expanded grids.