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Feature article - HSE in the chemical industry: Simple, comprehensive & perfectly integrated

Chris van den Belt, product management team leader at IFS Ultimo, shows how health, safety and environmental management can be integrated into an EAM system

The management of tasks related to health protection, occupational safety and environmental management (HSE) is extremely important but also enormously complex. In the oil, gas, petrochemical and general chemical industries, many substances are stored and processed that can be explosive, flammable, toxic, harmful to the environment or otherwise hazardous.

Berlin to be green chemistry ‘transfer region’

Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education & Research (BMBF) is to fund the Green Chem consortium in building “an ecosystem for transfer in the field of green chemistry” with up to €10 million. The 29-strong consortium is led by Covestro, Berlin-Chemie and three universities in the city, and includes regional technology clusters, private firms and foundations, among others.

Feature article - Oleochemicals: Applications, trends & recent innovations

Aashi Mishra shares some highlights from a recent Research Nester study

Oleochemicals are chemicals that are obtained from fats and oils, both vegetable and animal. They find use across diverse industries and are gaining popularity owing to their eco-friendly and sustainable characteristics.

Oleochemicals have a range of qualities, including being biodegradable, low toxicity levels and being derived from renewable sources. Moreover, they can be customised to exhibit attributes like enhanced lubrication or increased solubility.

EPA gets tougher on PFAS, TCE

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed an exemption for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) reporting, requiring companies to submit data on products containing any level of PFAS to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) each year. Previously, those containing minimal concentrations of PFAS were exempt.

CEFIC joins in clean tech request to EC

CEFIC joined other associations representing Europe’s clean technology industries and their key material suppliers to send a joint letter to European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of a European Council summit. This called for “urgent and comprehensive action from the EC and Member State governments to maximise the growth potential of the Green Deal and ensure a compelling business case for clean energy supply chains in Europe, from the raw material to the product”.

ICCM5 adopts new framework

The Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) concluded on 30 September in Bonn, Germany, by adopting “a comprehensive global framework that sets concrete targets and guidelines for key sectors across the entire lifecycle of chemicals”.

The new Global Framework on Chemicals is based around 28 targets and outlines a roadmap for countries and stakeholders to address the lifecycle of chemicals, including products and waste, collaboratively. It calls, among other things, for the:

* Prevention of the illegal trade and trafficking of chemicals and waste

Arkema shares sustainability targets

At its latest Capital Markets Day on 27 September 2023, Arkema revealed its plans to strengthen its decarbonisation initiatives as well as its financial targets. This followed the recent validation of Arkema’s emissions reduction plan by the Science-Based Targets Initiatives.

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