Teijin's recycling program bags 'Responsible Care' award

The Responsible Care award is awarded annually by the Association of the Dutch Chemical Industry (VNCI) to enterprises in the chemical industry that excels in the field of safety, health, environment and sustainability. The judges felt that the projects of Teijin Aramid and AkzoNobel were very good and thus decided to award two first prizes. 

By awarding two first places, the judges emphasized the importance of recycling in product chains and thus encourage Teijin Aramid to further elaborate the recycling.

"With this project, Teijin Aramid illustrates that recycling Twaron aramid fibers are possible on a global level and that it is able to supply a quality product with a 50% decrease in CO2-footprint", according to the judges. In 2010, Teijin Aramid received an honorary commendation for its campaign for better safety in the workshops.

In the meanwhile, 50% of the raw materials in Teijin Aramid's Pulp factory in Arnhem originated from recycled aramid. Within the recycling program, customers are supported to reduce or further process their waste materials. Waste materials that cannot be further processed and waste material from end products are collected mondially. Global infrastructure was set up for this, to reduce aramid and to process it into new, recycled aramid products.

Teijin Aramid's sustainability program focused on reducing the ecological footprint. This happens by emphasizing joint responsibility in the value chain and the close collaboration with customers in the field of sustainability. Twaron Pulp 0701 was classified by TüV as being more environmentally friendly than similar aramid pulp products. The recycled pulp has the same quality as regular pulp.

Responsible Care

The Responsible Care program is a global initiative of the chemical industry. The initiative focusses on continuously improving the performance of enterprises in the field of safety, health, environment and sustainability.  With the Responsible Care award, the VNCI wants to increase the awareness of Responsible Care. Since 1999, the industry association awarded the prize to the most authoritive and inspiring contribution. This was the first time in the existence of the Responsible Care award that the first prize was awarded to two enterprises.

TüV-certification

The Technischer Überwachungs-Verein (TüV) focuses on the safety of various products and processes to protect humans and the environment. The certificates issued by the TüV are based on the evaluation of independent advisers based on international standards.