Read the DyStar Sustainability Report 2011...

Dr. John Easton
Global Ecology Services Manager
As the main consumer of dyes and colors, the textile, apparel and
leather industry, also uses significant amount of water and energy
while using these products to process fibers and fabrics. We therefore
see twin opportunities and motivations to reduce energy and water
consumption in our own operations and also in customers’ operations.
Introducing innovative products and services that help our customers to
reduce their water and energy consumption helps us to grow our
market share of ecological dyes and colors. It also positions the DyStar
brand favourably in a market where apparel and textile brands are
continuously looking for ways to make their supply chain more sustainable.
Our strategic approach to sustainability and focus on ecological solutions
helps us meet emerging regulatory requirements and increasingly
stricter product compliance criteria set by customers. Product responsibility
therefore is a key piece of our sustainability approach and strategy.
We have implemented mechanisms for measuring, tracking and reducing
environmental footprint with particular emphasis on energy, greenhouse
gas emissions, water, waste and wastewater. We have established
goals and targets for reducing energy consumption, greenhouse gas
emissions, waste and wastewater. At the same time, we continue to
invest in developing eco-friendly products and services.
Labor practices
Our operations involve the handling and processing of chemicals,
many of them considered hazardous, so safety at our production
plants is of paramount importance. Workplace accidents can not only
cause potentially serious injuries but may also result in lost workdays,
increased medical and compensation costs, lower employee morale
and poor corporate image. Minimizing occupational hazards is therefore
crucial for keeping our employees safe and for ensuring uninterrupted
production operations. Stringent safety measures are central to our
plant management system. All DyStar production sites regularly monitor
and review occupational health and safety procedures and adherence
to these procedures.
20 2011 Sustainability Report - DyStar Group
“I am greatly encouraged by our shareholders
continued support for our sustainability program.
As the leading companies in the apparel and textile
industry move towards a more sustainable business
model, with the shareholders full support, DyStar
continues to strengthen its competitive position, not
just by providing sustainable textile products and
services, but also by becoming more sustainable in our
own operations worldwide.”
We operate and compete globally with more than 35 offices around
the world. Our workforce is equally diverse. We rely on our people to
champion our products and services in the marketplace with passion.
We depend on our talented scientists to develop innovative products
in DyStar laboratories, and we bank on the production and quality staff
to ensure high quality products. We rely on a host of other employees
to provide critical support to run our business.
Investing in people by providing regular training and development
opportunities, promoting diversity, ensuring fair employment practices,
fostering a culture of merit and performance-based reward system,
and complying with national labor regulations are important aspects
of our approach to sustainability.
Nurturing people and promoting a workplace where people feel safe,
valued and respected is the foundation of our sustainability approach
and strategy. In 2010, DyStar’s new management publicly reiterated
commitment to the principles of SA8000.
Our company fully supports and endorses Responsible Care® Global
Charter, the chemical industry’s global initiative that drives continuous
improvement in health, safety and environmental (HSE) performance,
together with open and transparent communication with stakeholders.
In 2011 we signed up to the United Nations Global Compact principles.
Singapore-based headquarters of DyStar signed the Employers’ Pledge
for fair employment, a tri-partite initiative jointly promoted by the
government, business and labor.
Human rights
Our values, policies and practices are guided by international standards
and principles, which include;
• The International Labor Organization’s (ILO) core labor standards
• Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational
Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration)
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights