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| | 11/04/2008 - Süd-Chemie´s Heufeld site reports 2,000 days accident-free
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Süd-Chemie AG´s production and research facilities for industrial and environmental catalysts based in Heufeld, Upper Bavaria/Germany, have now been operating without any work-related accidents subject to reporting obligations since the spring of 2003, i.e. for exactly 2,000 days. This new record reflects the high level of health and safety standards maintained by the Munich-based specialty chemicals enterprise.
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This is by far the longest accident-free period ever achieved by a Süd-Chemie site and also marks an excellent performance within the chemical industry.
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By comparison, the number of work-related accidents subject to reporting obligations per thousand employees recorded by the German chemical industry in 2007 averaged exactly 14.88. At Süd-Chemie AG, the total number of accidents per thousand employees subject to reporting obligations amounted to no more than 3.9 in 2007. A job-related accident must be reported if it results in an employee being absent for more than three calendar days.
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In recent years, measures to improve health and safety have been continuously increased at all Süd-Chemie plants. In addition to numerous other measures aimed at preventing accidents, a significant part of Heufeld´s success is due to the monthly safety meetings between employees and supervisors which have been held for the past four years, and to a scheme for close-knit monitoring and prevention of near-accidents and safety-critical work situations. An initiative to avoid accidents caused by stumbling, slipping or falling, which has meanwhile been promoted at all sites of Süd-Chemie AG, has also made a significant contribution to improving the work-related accident figures.
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Dr. Günter von Au, Managing Board Chairman of Süd-Chemie AG, said, "The close connection between work safety and health protection on the one hand and production and product quality and profitability on the other has been proved by many surveys. Improving health and work safety enjoys highest priority at Süd-Chemie. We are delighted by this excellent interim result from our Heufeld site and encourage all Süd-Chemie employees not to relax their efforts to improve the safety of our work processes – for the good of the entire Group."
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Munich and Heufeld, 4 November 2008
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Süd-Chemie AG
Corporate Communications and Board Affairs
Patrick Salchow
Ph. +49 (0) 89 5110-250
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Süd-Chemie AG (www.sud-chemie.com) is a publicly quoted (Security Identification Number ISIN: DE0007292005; WKN: 729200) specialty chemicals company headquartered in Munich, Germany and operating on a worldwide scale. Key markets served by its Adsorbents Division include the consumer-goods, packaging and foundry industries, as well as the paper and plastics industries and water treatment. Products manufactured by the Catalysts Division offer solutions for the chemical, petrochemical and refinery industries, for energy storage and hydrogen production, as well as off-gas purification. The common denominator of all its products and innovations is the efficient and sparing use of natural resources to enhance the quality of life for humans and the environment. Süd-Chemie generated group sales of €1.075 billion in 2007, approx. 80% of these outside Germany. Currently, the group employs more than 6,200 people at its 80 sales and production sites worldwide.
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About Süd-Chemie´s Heufeld site
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Since 1980, catalysts have been produced at the Heufeld plant, the oldest Süd-Chemie site which has existed since the company was founded in 1957. 351 employees are currently employed in Heufeld, including approximately 120 in research and 21 trainees. In addition to the production plants, the company also operates a research laboratory for Group-wide catalysis research and various warehouses at this site. The Heufeld plant has been approved in accordance with ISO standards 9001 (quality management) and 14001 (environmental management). The plant has also obtained EMAS (Eco-Audit Regulation) approval for its audited eco-management. The catalysts developed and produced in Heufeld accelerate chemical reactions, allowing for economic manufacture of many chemical products, yet also sparing resources. They also play an important role in environmental protection. Among other things, catalysts are used in the petrochemical and refining industries to extract eco-friendly fuels. They also help to purify industrial emissions, as well as being used to treat drinking water and process industrial effluents. Another topical area of application for catalysts is in the production of hydrogen to drive fuel cells.
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