Kemira Annual Report 2005

The first requirements of the VOCdirective regulating the industrial useof solvents and the emissions causedby them came into force in 2004 andwill take full effect in 2007.For decorative paints, in turn, strictupper limits will be set on solventcontent levels in the EU area. Therequirements of the first phase willcome into force from the beginningof 2007, and more stringent requirementswill be introduced in 2010.The limits of the second phase inparticular will call for continuous R&Dwork, and some types of solventcontainingproducts will most likelyhave to be pulled off the marketonce and for all. This regulation willlargely determine the priority areasin the development of decorativepaint products over the next fewyears.In the near future, developmentwill be greatly affected by a numberof legislative projects that are in thecrucial final stages. One such projectis the REACH procedure (Registration,Evaluation and Authorization ofChemicals). These regulations maylead to the end of manufacture ofsmall-volume strategic raw materialsin the EU area for cost reasons. Thiswill also pose challenges for our ownproduct development effort.Toward better eco-efficiencyin production and deliveryprocessesThe development of our productionand delivery processes is geared toan improvement in eco-efficiency.We are improving eco-efficiency stepby step by making incremental improvements.We pay particular attentionto wastes, emissions, packaging,energy use and the safety of themanufacturing process.We strive to reduce the amount ofmaterial that is disposed of as waste,and to cut down the waste waterload, environmental stress due totransports as well as emissions frommanufacture. We accomplish thispartly by developing our manufacturingprocesses and logistics, and inpart by promoting initiatives such asthe utilization of waste materials.We minimize the use of productpackaging materials and insure thatnew types of packaging are suitablefor new uses or recycling. In transportsand user packaging, too, we doour part in furthering recycling andreuse.We are continually improving thesafety of our paint manufacturingprocess. We carry out risk surveysand gather information on practicalexperiences. We systematicallydevelop assessments of the safetylevel.Responsible operations havea positive impact on earningsWe believe that well-managed environmental,health and safety practiceshave a positive effect on our bottomline. Responsible operationsinfluence the selections made byconsumers and business customers,create a basis for enduring customerrelationships and build trust amongconsumers.Direct economic savings are realized,say, by reducing wasted materialsand waste costs, and by reducingabsences due to industrial accidents.In recent years, especially big savingshave resulted from a reduction indirect environmental costs, such asraw materials loss and the costs oftreating and disposing of wastes. Inpractice, we have realized these savingsfrom the advances made in ourprocesses and by introducing newways of working.Employees’ well-being is keyto the company’s successOur employees’ well-being is part ofour program for environmental andsocial responsibility. We devote particularattention to occupational safety,job-satisfaction, working capacity,equality, the personnel structure andprofessional and vocational growth.We are analyzing, with ever-growingeffectiveness, the causes of accidentsand hazardous situations. Wedevelop ways of working and workingconditions systematically, drawingon the information obtained, andwe furthermore make sure thatthere are safe conditions for subcontractorswho perform work at oursites.The systematic monitoring of jobsatisfaction is a prime focus. We developour people’s overall fitness,covering physical, psychic, social andprofessional working capacity. Westrive to offer our people an opportunityfor professional growth. We promotea diversified personnel structurethrough our recruitment policy,and we promote equality, respect forthe individual and the recognition ofdiversity throughout the workplace.Action plans, key projects andimplementation monitoringThe different companies making upthe Paints & Coatings business areaannually define their own objectivesand key projects for all four subareasof corporate social responsibility:product safety, improving the ecoefficiencyof our processes, financialperformance and employee well-being.In action plans worked out at thedepartment level, we work out thespecs for detailed individual projects.We track development not only withthe company’s own benchmarks butalso by means of Kemira-wide developmentbenchmarks.The biggest units in our businessarea, Tikkurila Oy in Vantaa andAlcro-Beckers AB in Stockholm,Sweden, each year publish their ownpublic environmental and social responsibilityreport.27