Chemical companies defend sustainability actions

Industry association Cefic and several European chemical firms defended the environmental gains of their 'Responsible Care' sustainability programme on Wednesday in the face of criticism that it does not embody a cradle-to-grave approach.

Axel Singhofen, policy advisor to the Green group in the European Parliament, told delegates at a Responsible Care conference in Brussels that the programme's commitment to sustainability rang hollow because it did not aim to phase out harmful chemicals.

Use of chemicals such as phthalates in PVC production, which later leak into the environment, should be eliminated, according to Mr Singhofen. Responsible Care is being used by the brominated flame retardant (BFRs) industry to block legislation on deca-BDE, he told delegates.

The BFR industry said its VECAP reporting initiative showed companies are being proactive. Recent figures show BFR emissions dropped sharply from 2008-09. But Mr Singhofen said this is misleading because in-use and end-of-life emissions, which make up over 99% of the total tonnage, are not reported.

Jacques de Gerlache from Solvay called for a policy framework allowing firms to make a business case for recycling rather than landfilling their waste, and for substituting dangerous substances with safer ones. For many firms safer alternatives are not yet competitive, another participant said.

A representative from Dow said a sustainability action plan for 1996-2005 had saved the company US$5bn (€3.7bn) via a US$1bn (€0.74bn) investment. A UK study has shown that global chemical companies could benefit financially by at least €1bn by increasing their sustainability performance.