Ethyl Corporation, Celanese, LyondellBasell and Bayer Corporation Recognized for Superior Performance

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Chemistry Council (ACC) presented its Responsible Care Company of the Year award today to four member companies, Ethyl Corporation, Celanese Corporation, LyondellBasell and Bayer Corporation, in recognition of each of the companies' outstanding achievements in environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) performance.

"These four companies epitomize the chemical industry's commitment to a safer, more sustainable future," said ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley. "Each company has demonstrated exemplary achievements in environmental performance, worker safety and the health and well-being of the communities in which they operate."

To be eligible for the Responsible Care Company of the Year award, companies must demonstrate how they have surpassed Responsible Care performance criteria, including: a safety performance rating in the top 10 percent of companies in their size category, with no significant process incidents in the previous year; positive performance measures in the areas of transportation safety, process safety and emissions reduction; and demonstrated improvements in EHS&S performance, product stewardship, distribution safety and emergency preparedness.

For the third time in four years, Ethyl Corporation is being honored as a Responsible Care company of the year. In 2013, Ethyl Corporation won its third straight Union Pacific Railroad Safety Pinnacle Award for Excellence in chemical transportation safety. Ethyl also received the "Perfect Record Award" from the National Safety Council for safety performance in three of the past four years, and recently celebrated 18 years of no lost time injuries at its Canada manufacturing location.

"This award is very meaningful to all of us at Ethyl because it is recognition from our peers for our performance on Responsible Care principles, primarily health, safety, environment, product stewardship, community service and overall doing the right thing," said Ethyl Corporation President Azfar Choudhury.

In 2013, Celanese had its best global safety performance – zero recordable injuries at U.S. Responsible Care facilities. In addition, Celanese's One PSM program drives a culture of process safety throughout the organization, and the implementation of the Celanese Sustainability Council has helped to reduce emissions and waste generation at key sites to ensure Celanese's sustainability goals were met.

"Celanese has been Responsible Care certified since 2006, and we have been practicing the elements of Responsible Care for more than 30 years," said Darren Collins, Vice President, Manufacturing and EHS for Celanese. "Our management system has always had principle-based expectations in safety, environment and health, which has been strengthened by our deep employee engagement. It's an honor for everyone at Celanese to be recognized for their efforts to make the principles of Responsible Care truly part of the Celanese culture."

Responsible Care is embedded into everyday business at LyondellBasell, through its Operational Excellence Management System and its Logistic Service Provider Risk Classification. In 2013, LyondellBasell instituted new Product Steward Bulletins for more than 800 of its most frequently ordered products – distributing more than 25,000 bulletins to customers and interested parties. 

"We never forget the real reason LyondellBasell is a Responsible Care company; it's because we are protecting those who work in our plants and those who are our neighbors and customers. We take our Responsible Care commitment very personally," said LyondellBasell CEO James Gallogly. "We thank the ACC for recognizing us as we pursue health and safety excellence."

In 2013, Bayer implemented its "DRIVE TOWARD ZERO" program, establishing an organizational culture promoting continuous improvement in compliance, process and product safety, sustainability, environmental performance, and safety. Bayer's commitment to safety is evidenced though its detailed product and safety training program, which includes on-site support for new customers to ensure safe handling of materials, before their first shipment is received.

"Bayer has been involved with Responsible Care since its inception more than 25 years ago," said Jerry MacCleary, president, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, and ACC Board Member. "It plays an integral role in Bayer's Sustainable Development program and provides external validation of Bayer's 'license to operate.' We are very proud and humbled to have been chosen for this award."

Responsible Care is the chemical industry's world-class EHS&S performance initiative. Since 1988, Responsible Care companies have reduced hazardous releases to the air, land and water by more than 76 percent, improved energy efficiency overall, and have a worker safety record that is more than twice as safe, on average, as the overall chemical manufacturing sector and four times safer than the manufacturing industry as a whole.

http://www.americanchemistry.com 

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $770 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for twelve percent of all U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.

SOURCE American Chemistry Council