Recticel includes topics such as health, safety and the environment in its general Safety, Health & Environment Policy. The policy described in this incorporates not only the basic principles for daily thought and action, but also the common aims for all staff members to ensure that Recticel meets its social and industrial commitments with the greatest care.

The important point here is not to confine health, safety and the environment solely to its own staff, subcontractors and the immediate environment of the plants, but also to apply the policy in a far broader context, for instance including buyers and end-users of the goods produced.

In practice, the attempt is made to map out precisely all possible health, safety and environmental risks in the operations. After an in-depth evaluation, the necessary protective measures are defined and implemented to reduce these risks and their consequences to an acceptable minimum. In this respect, the Group tries where possible to go a step further than the legal minimum requirements.

In addition to tracing out the main outlines, it is of course also very important to establish sufficient benchmarks and to compare them with the actual performance indicators.

Safety

The key elements of Recticel’s safety policy are as follows:

  • zero accidents is the ultimate goal
  • safety campaigns are launched on most sites very regularly to keep the subject to the forefront
  • information exchange sessions are organised regularly at Group level, with a view to preventing accidents and/or reducing the risk factors
  • efforts are made to integrate the Group safety policy as quickly as possible at new acquisitions and/or joint ventures

Environment

Generally speaking, Recticel’s activities in principle generate little pollution. Despite this basic premise, the Group strives if not to eliminate the possible environmental impact resulting from its industrial activities, then at least to limit it as far as possible. The Group aims to achieve this by constantly improving and optimising its processes with a view to rational use of natural resources and limiting raw materials, waste, airborne emissions, etc.

REACH

(Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals)

REACH is the result of a review of the chemicals regulations in the EU. The aim is to arrive at a uniform system for existing and new substances produced or imported in the EU. The aim of REACH is:

  • to protect human health and the environment
  • to enhance the competitiveness of the chemicals industry in the EU

REACH came into force on 1 June 2007. A steering group has been set up to assess its consequences and impact for the Recticel Group, with representatives of all business lines, the Research and Development Centre, the Health, Safety and the Environment Department and the Legal Affairs Department. On first analysis, there are two strands which require specific attention, i.e. (I) the Group as a downstream user of chemicals and (II) the Group as a manufacturer of compounds based on isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI). As a user and manufacturer of chemicals, attention must focus in particular on the potential deselection of certain substances from the market. As a manufacturer of IPDI trimer, the necessary efforts must be made to ensure its registration and acceptance.