Our commitment as a socially responsible company means that we operate our facilities in a manner that protects people and the environment and preserves our world for future generations.
Operational Excellence. Operational Excellence is Lyondell’s broadly institutionalized and disciplined management system to achieve reliable and measurable performance that enables us to drive continuous improvement in every aspect of our business. This management system, which includes the Manufacturing Operational Excellence Principles of Safety and Health, Environment, Quality, Reliability, Cost and Efficiency, People and Community.
OSHA VPP Star site. The complex holds the coveted Star status in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program for its safety performance. The complex passed its periodic program recertification in 2005.
Safety Performance. While the employee total recordable injury rate (TRIR), the rate of injuries per 100 employees, increased slightly in 2004, performance in 2005 is much improved. The resident-contractor injury rate increased from 2003 to 2004, but dropped again in the first half of 2005.
Environmental.The site has programs to ensure the safe operation and maintenance of our processes so that accidental releases are prevented and environmental performance is improved. Employees are making every effort to achieve 100 percent compliance with all regulations, and in some cases going beyond requirements. That strong commitment to the environment has dropped toxic release inventory (TRI) emissions, as defined by the EPA, by 72 percent since 1998. Over the same period, emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOC) fell 23 percent. The increase from 2003 to 2005 is due to increased production. Since 2005, more than $10 million in improvements have been made and environmental staff increased.
Energy Efficiency. An aggressive 31-point program initiated in 1998 to improve plant energy efficiency is resulting in a 12 percent reduction in energy consumption in the olefins unit, a 10 percent reduction in the acetyls unit and an annual cost savings of more than $19 million in 2006 vs. 2001.
Hazardous Waste Generation. Waste generation rose in 2005 due to the purchase and addition of the acetyls business to the plant site, as well as one-time disposal of various old materials. New programs are in place that are expected to reduce hazardous waste.