Lars-Erik Johansson, President of Perstorp Aegis Chemicals with production 
in Vapi, India:
"India has a number of laws and regulations in the area, and chemical-production operations are only permitted if the standards set by the government authorities can be met. Perstorp India's facilities meet the requirements of the authorities and are also certified in accordance with ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:1996.
"At Perstorp's plant in India, we are proud that we meet the highest environmental standards in production. Today, those who live close to our facilities view us as a highly safe and environmentally conscious industrial company. Through clear information on a green and white notice board, all visitors and the general public are informed of our environmental performance. Our safety notice board, with details of the amount of time lost due to accidents, has also proven to be exemplary.
"We participate actively in the Vapi Industrial Association (VIA). Within this forum, interactive meetings are arranged for the exchange of information with representatives of central government and local authorities. The VIA, which has positive experiences of operating joint purification plants, granted Perstorp Aegis Chemicals increased bonuses/discounts because our emissions contained the least amount of pollutants. Efforts are made not only in the operation and maintenance of the purification plant, but also to maintain the beauty of the surroundings.
"We give the haulers and drivers we hire training in the transport of dangerous chemicals and in product and crisis management and safety. Drivers are equipped with TREMCARD, MSDS and carry the necessary safety equipment onboard.
"Personnel from our environment and safety department visit nearby industries regularly to exchange information and to be prepared to provide mutual assistance in emergency situations. We have an advanced facility with a fully equipped unit for emergency situations.
"Each year, we participate in the national safety and health week, in March. We encourage participation at all levels.
"The families and friends of employees are invited to the plant to create a pleasant atmosphere and they are given the opportunity to make proposals for improvements. The plant frequently receives visitors, such as students from schools in the area and abroad. We are also grateful for their opinions and comments and often put them into practice. We have a guest book in our reception, where visitors can record their impressions.
"A safety brochure is distributed informing the general public about our products and manufacturing processes.
"We strive to develop and improve continuously and set targets each year. Everything is done in an honest attempt to create a better future for our families and friends, for society and the world. How else can you be a good neighbor?"
Hubert van Hevele, site manager, Perstorp Oxo Belgium:
"Despite being situated on an industrial estate, the location of Perstorp Oxo Belgium is quite sensitive. Conducting open and straightforward communications is one of our principal objectives.
"By holding meetings with the authorities in order to preempt problems in our operations and planned projects, we have achieved a sense of mutual confidence. Since 1998, we have distributed annual information letters to more than 1,000 families living close to our plant. In these letters, they can also read about our operations. The letters cover not only our actual production activities but also our environmental and health efforts. Telephone numbers are also given, so that people can call us at any time, day or night, if they have a question.
"One year, we also included response cards inquiring about people's opinions about our communications. The answers we received were highly encouraging and inspired us to continue. We have held open days on two occasions, one for employees' families and one for residents in the area.
"We're open to participating in various initiatives with regard to communications. At the end of 2002, for example, the authorities organized an information campaign on the subject of Seveso and the risk of serious accidents and what should be done if such an accident occurs. Since the objective was to reach as many as possible, a stand was hired at the local market in Evergem. We were asked to participate and two representatives from our plant were on site to answer questions and hand out leaflets and brochures."
Tony Sloma, EHS Manager at Perstorp Polyols Inc., Toledo, US:
”Perstorp’s Toledo facility has signed the Guiding Principles of Responsible Care as part of our membership to the American Chemistry Council. The Guiding Principles include a commitment to seek and incorporate public input regarding our products and operations. That commitment is demonstrated in many ways. Since the Perstorp Toledo site is located in an industrial area of the City, residential neighbourhoods are a considerable distance away in miles, but not in the minds of the employees.
”By way of www.responsiblecare.com, Perstorp Toledo and other chemistry business in the American Chemistry Council will publicly share the individual company statistics related to injuries, air emissions, distribution incidents, process related accidents, security evaluations, and progress toward certification of our Responsible Care Management Systems. Members of the public will have access to information in one location and format that will make it much easier to compare performance of various U.S. companies in the areas of environment, health and safety.
”The Toledo facility annually shares information regarding locations and inventories of hazardous chemicals on-site. This information is available to environmental authorities, the local emergency planning committee and the local fire department. Personnel from Toledo also take an active role on the local emergency planning committee. This group includes police, fire, and environmental authorities as well as representatives of local hospitals, university, the Red Cross and local businesses.
”Toledo also works with a group interested in improving conditions in the rivers and streams in the area, including the Ottawa River that borders the site. This group again includes environmental authorities, citizens living downstream of the facility, local government representatives and other interested businesses.
”Tours of the Toledo site are welcome at any time throughout the year. Typically, we have two to five tours per year ranging from middle school aged children to university students and adults with interest in chemistry related organizations.
”While the authorities issue our environmental permits, the public essentially holds our license to operate. It is critical that we continue to work with the public to ensure an understanding of the value of our products for the long-term success of our operations”.
Margareta Midenstam, Environmental Controller in Perstorp and Bernt Grop, Process Safety Manager in Stenungsund
”In Sweden, production permits are issued by the Swedish Environmental Court. Besides meeting the requirements of government authorities, we must also satisfy another key group – people living near our facilities. Although this relationship is not widely regulated by law, it is still extremely important. Perstorp must be seen as a “good citizen”.
”Perstorp’s facilities in Sweden have signed the international environmental agreement Responsibility & Care, which includes a commitment to maintain ongoing dialogue with the inhabitants near our facilities. One related initiative is a Chemistry Day organized every three years by the Swedish plastics and chemicals industry, including an open house. All interested parties – including many Perstorp employees – are offered a variety of activities including guided factory tours. Groups of visitors are shown around the factory area throughout the year.
”Each spring, an environmental brochure is prepared for the Perstorp facilities in Sweden, summarising the previous year’s environmental efforts. The environmental brochure is presented annually to the local press and publicised in local newspaper articles in north-western Skåne. Besides the environmental brochure, the Group prepares an environmental review and standard detailed environmental reports for authorities. The media are generally very interested in following our environmental efforts.
”Our facilities in Stenungsund collaborates with other local petrochemical factories. Under the same collaboration, environmental information is disseminated through a local newspaper distributed to all households in the region. The factories organize guided tours every summer and host field visits all year round.
”Perstorp Oxo informs local residents of planned modification shutdowns through advertising and mass-mailed newsletters. For instance, this April, local residents were informed of our plans to introduce natural gas as a new raw material. Sharing our plans with our neighbours promotes understanding and makes them more tolerant if we do not follow our schedules.”
