2009 - Jaarverslag

CORPORATE INFORMATIONSUSTAINABILITYSustainability is the foundation and reflection of TenCate’s pursuit ofcontinuity. It is an inherent quality of the more than 306-year-oldcompany. Our products and systems make a major contribution to abetter world in which themes such as safety, protection andsustainability have become a matter of course. The associated trendsinclude personal safety, protection of the living environment, limitationof energy consumption and CO2 emissions, water management andenvironmental care. It is an important task for TenCate to formulateanswers to these trends, propose solutions and thereby drivedevelopments. It keeps the company alert in striking an optimumbalance between quality and environmental policy. That is TenCate’ssustainability-based policy.In some cases long processes have to be gone through to achieve theuse of innovative and sustainable – or more sustainable – materials inspecific markets, such as the aviation industry, innovative. Rising fuelcosts have played a positive role in this regards. Increasing noiselimitation imposed by governments are also contributing to this.Thanks to composites, TenCate has a series of sustainable solutionsavailable.Composites are increasingly used in civil aviation. Existing aircraftalready contain approximately 25% composites, such as tail pieces,wing ribs and interior components. New generations of aircraft such asthe A380 and the Boeing 787 comprise more than 50% composites.That makes a growing contribution to fuel reduction, noise abatementand efficiency. Boeing made its maiden flight with the Dreamliner inDecember 2009. This aircraft includes composites made by TenCateAerospace Composites.QUALITY AND THE ENVIRONMENTIn the manufacturing process TenCate devotes specific attention to theresponsible handling of raw materials, reduction of waste and rejectsand recycling.Quality assurance is the guiding principle. That starts with productdevelopment. At the same time, TenCate aims to impact theenvironment as little as possible. This principle is part of the code ofconduct for employees. TenCate gives the utmost priority to a safeworking environment worldwide. Quality, Health & Safety andEnvironment officers have been appointed in most operatingcompanies. They monitor the performance in these areas on theproduction sites.Almost all production sites have been established or certified inaccordance with ISO 9001 and/or ISO 14001 standards. For certainprocesses – such as the production of materials for aviation,antiballistics and protective fabrics, additional standards andrequirements apply. Environmental legislation and environmental careare guaranteed in the quality policy. In the value chain, they form thebasis for dealing with suppliers, but also with customers. That ensuresthat the production process and the chain remain controllable.Due to the confidentiality of quality and environmental data, figuresand details are not disclosed. There is room for improvement incomparability. That can be explained by differences between businessunits around the world due to historical and local factors.TenCate believes that it limited environmental risks to the best of itsability once again in 2009. On the basis of the environmental controlsystems, the company endeavoured to limit the use of raw materials,water and energy consumption and emissions. Local legislation andregulations were implemented by the Quality, Health & Safety andEnvironment officers. The high European standards form the guidingNew outfits for network managerSome 2,000 Enexis employees wear a company uniform based on TenCate Tecasafe ® . The new autonomy of the former Essentnetwork company as per 1 January 2009 meant a new identity, name, corporate style, and European tendering procedure for anew apparel package. The company clothing had to be flame-retardant, antistatic, water and dirt repellent, colourfast, suitable foroutdoor use, and have high visibility and be comfortable. The design had to match the Enexis corporate style and logo. With theexception of the rain gear and undergarments, all outer clothing is based on TenCate Tecasafe ® , a comfortable fabric thatcomplies with all of the safety requirements and wishes.74Royal Ten Cate