News

ICCA and German Federal Ministry cooperate on GHS implementation in Africa

ICCA has started a cooperation project with the German Federal Ministry for the Environment on GHS implementation in a French and English speaking country in Africa: Ivory Coast and Ghana. The idea to work together to introduce and initiate implementation of the UN Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling was the result of a meeting between ICCM-5 president and Gertrud Sahler, Head of Directorate-General for Environment and Health at the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB).

ICCA and German government representatives subsequently met in the margins of the 2nd intersessional meeting in Stockholm earlier this month, to get a better understanding of the respective country situations and secure commitment from local government […]

European social partners launch new project on digitalization and innovation in the European chemical industry

In January the European social partners of the chemical industry, European trade union industriAll and the European Chemical Employers Group (ECEG) launched a new social partner project entitled “The impact of innovation and digital transformation in the workplace: a sector-specific study of the European chemical, pharmaceutical, rubber and plastics industry”.

Based on an EU-wide research survey and expert interviews, the project partners aim to formulate a social partner joint action plan on how to anticipate, prepare for and manage change in the workplace arising from innovation and digital transformation in three domains: skills, working patterns and health & safety.

Over a period of 24 months, 16 experts from 8 EU Member States will steer the project.  Each brings specific sectoral knowledge and […]

New video and communication package illustrating how chemicals help curb CO2 emissions now available for members

A new video and communication package illustrating the significant contribution of chemicals in curbing CO2 emissions has been created and is now available on the ICCA website.

A range of chemical-based technologies are directly fighting climate change as irreplaceable components in a range of applications from advanced building materials and batteries, renewable energy sources, and electric and high-efficiency vehicles, through to lightweight plastics.  They improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions throughout our economy.

The ICCA short animation film “Measuring how chemicals contribute to our low-carbon future” complements ICCA’s wider communication package on the quantification of emissions avoided via chemical-enabled solutions which includes:

The ICCA/WBCSD guidance on the measurement of avoided emissions  https://www.icca-chem.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ICCA-2017_Adressing_guidelines_WEB.pdf
17 case study summaries https://www.icca-chem.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ICCA_17-Case-Studies_Summaries_WEB.pdf
17 full technical reports https://www.icca-chem.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ICCA_17-Case-Studies_Technical-Reports_WEB.pdf
The ICCA study “The Essential Role of […]

Large industry presence at second meeting of the Intersessional Process for Considering SAICM

ICCA (colleagues from CEFIC, ACC, Abiquim and some member companies Dow, Exxon Mobil and BASF) and representatives from broader industry stakeholders including USCIB, Croplife International, ICTA, Pfizer, Boeing and Mining and Minerals industry attended the second Meeting of the Intersessional Process for Considering SAICM and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020 earlier this month.  The meeting, held in Stockholm from 13-15 March, gathered some 360 delegates. Despite the large industry presence at the event,  there is still a need for broader participation from downstream industry, including plastics and waste as well as from ICCA representatives from other regions, particularly Asia and Africa.

The meeting was co-chaired by Brazil and Canada and driven by stakeholder input on elements of […]

Japanese chemical company Kaneka wins Foreign Investment of the Year Trophy in Flanders, Belgium

For the third consecutive year a company from the chemical and life sciences sector has won the Flanders Foreign Investment of the Year Trophy – an award highlighting the importance of foreign investment in the Flemish, northern region of Belgium. Kaneka Belgium was presented with the 2018 Trophy by Minister-President of Flanders, Geert Bourgeois.

The Japanese chemical firm was recognized for the recent expansion of its production facility for modified silicone polymers in Westerlo. When construction is complete, the Flanders-based site will be Kaneka’s largest global production plant. Previous winners of this prestigious prize are Nippon Shokubai and Sanofi. American pharma firm Pfizer succeeded BASF as winner of the Lifetime Achievement Trophy.

Flanders’ chemical industry is one of the most integrated chemical […]

GPCA signs MOU with Gulf Standardization Organization to collaborate on Industrial Waste Management

Last month GPCA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO) to collaborate on developing world-class standards and pave the way for the adoption of internationally recognized best practices on Dangerous Goods Transportation, Global Harmonization System and Industrial Waste. http://gpca.org.ae/2018/02/21/gpca-and-gulf-standardization-organization-sign-mou-to-collaborate-on-world-class-gcc-standards/

The MOU follows the position paper produced by the GPCA Industrial Waste Taskforce at the end of last year which identified potential benefits and opportunities arising from stakeholder collaboration between regulators, waste management service providers and the industry in developing an effective industrial waste management program for the Arabian Gulf region as it expands its production capabilities. The correct approach would support sustainable development by providing job opportunities, while reducing both industrial waste generation and the use […]

Newly developed ICCA Connect offers collaborative sharing platform

The newly developed ICCA Connect is now in place, offering enhanced transparency and access for all ICCA members. It includes all workplaces and sites and is managed by the Leadership Group/Task Force secretariat.

Built using the web-based SharePoint system, well known for its user-friendly approach to sharing and managing content, the structure replaces the former system and is the result of a successful pilot project undertaken by the ICCA Capacity Building Task Force.

All ICCA members have now received access and login information enabling them to access the overall content of the extranet and several ICCA groups have already started to use it.

Icca Chemicals Policy & Health Leadership Group & Stakeholders meet In India

Comprised of leaders representing chemical manufacturers and producers from around the world, the International Council of Chemical Associations’ (ICCA) Chemicals Policy & Health Leadership Group (CP&H LG) is dedicated to ensuring the global chemical industry PAVES the way to sound chemicals management and sustainable development. The CP&H LG met in November in New Delhi, India for its second face-to-face meeting in 2017, where it tackled today’s chemical industry challenges and discussed further opportunities to show chemical industry’s commitment to the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and sustainable development.

AREAS OF FOCUS: UNEA-3 AND SAICM

Major areas of discussion included preparations for the 3rd United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-3) and the SAICM intersessional process and how industry could contribute to both important events:

The […]

ICCA attends UN Climate Conference in Bonn

ICCA was present at the COP23 UN Climate Conference in Bonn last month and hosted an exhibition booth with videos and publications showcasing the contributions of the chemical industry to sustainability and low carbon solutions.

Many ICCA members were also in attendance and participated in side events running alongside the COP23.  ICCA held an event on transparency and chemicals contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and VCI hosted a tour of the Chempark in Leverkusen for delegates and journalists where Wacker, Covestro and Lanxess demonstrated technology pathways in the field of PV, CCU and water purification.

COP23 gathered some 22,000 delegates from Governments, non-Party Stakeholders, UN organizations and the media. As the second COP following the December 2015 Paris Agreement, it […]

ICCA makes commitment to UNEA-3 to expand its Responsible Care program to combat pollution

At the third UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) meeting taking place this week, ICCA will make a commitment to combat pollution by expanding its Responsible Care program to continuously reduce emissions and increase global capacity to manage chemicals safely.

UNEA-3, held in Nairobi from 4-6 December under the theme “Towards a pollution-free planet”, has called on governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and other interested groups or institutions to join the fight against pollution.

ICCA is making its commitment on behalf of the global chemical industry. It recognizes that, as part of our everyday lives, chemistry is essential for sustainable development – and to realize the benefits of chemistry, we must handle chemicals safely.

ICCA promotes RC to continuously improve the implementation of sound chemicals management […]