BASF in Greater China
issues first report on economic, environmental, and social
performance
Seven key indicators standardize
and integrate transparency
BASF, the world's leading chemical company, will enhance its
transparency in Greater China by reporting annually on seven key
financial, social and environmental indicators: sales, number of
employees, occupational safety, water, waste, emissions to air,
and energy consumption. BASF Greater China today issued
the first report under the new guidelines, revealing the latest
information about the company's performance in the world's most
dynamic chemical market.
Dr. Tilman Krauch,
President, Asia Pacific said, "Sustainability is at the core
of everything that BASF does because continuous profitable growth
is only possible if it goes hand in hand with taking
responsibility for society and the environment. With the
publication of our first report on our financial, environmental,
and social performance in China, we show how we have consistently
been applying global standards in our operations in Greater
China."
Mr. Johnny Kwan, Chairman of the BASF Greater China Country
Board, said, "We are proud to present the first report about
BASF in Greater China. The data will be constantly monitored for
continuous and further improvement of our economic, environmental
and societal July 8, 2009 performance. We will continue reporting
on our activities with regard to the three pillars of sustainable
development in Greater China every year.
Among other communication channels, the report will be one
important on-going effort to deepen the dialogues with our
stakeholders in a more systematic, consistent and transparent
way."
Since the 1990s, BASF has invested more than EUR 2
billion in
the Greater China area, with major investments coming on stream
in Nanjing and Shanghai from 2005. Sales have grown around 20%
each year over the past decade. During this growth period, BASF
also improved key emission data through continuous optimization
and innovation.
In 2008, emissions of greenhouse gases from BASF's chemical
operations in Greater China amounted to 1.8 million metric tons,
a reduction of 5.2% compared to 2007. This was achieved mainly
through technological upgrades of plants.
Energy efficiency,
defined as primary energy consumption (fuel, electricity, steam)
per ton of product was improved, and helped reduce BASF's overall
energy consumption in Greater China, thereby also lowering
emissions. In Greater China, energy efficiency increased by 50%
between 2002 and 2008.
BASF continually optimizes its production processes in order to
minimize air and water pollution as well as waste. Emissions
of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide
(CO), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ammonia and
other inorganic compounds, dust, heavy metals and volatile
organic compounds (NMVOCs) in Greater China amounted to 950
metric tons in 2008. This corresponds to a 10% reduction compared
with 2007. The reduction in air pollutants was achieved despite
an increase in production volumes in the same period, mainly by
implementing process innovations.
BASF is gradually reducing water consumption and
is reusing as much water as possible. In 2008, the company used
12.9 million cubic meters of water in Greater China (a reduction
of 4.4% compared to 13.5 million cubic meters in 2007). The
majority of this amount was used for cooling.
BASF in Greater China discharged a total of 7.3 million cubic
meters (a reduction of 37% compared to 11.5 million cubic meters
in 2007) of wastewater.
The quality of all of BASF's wastewater fulfilled local
regulatory requirements as well as BASF's own global standards.
Emissions of organic substances
to water amounted to 456 metric tons in 2008 (minus 42% compared
with 787 metric tons in 2007). The emission of nitrogen to water
was about 80 metric tons (minus 11% compared with 90 metric tons
in 2007). In 2008, emissions of heavy metals amounted to one
metric ton, 83% less than the year before.
In 2008, BASF generated around 42,200 metric tons of solid
waste in Greater China (minus 25% compared
with 56,300 metric tons in 2007).
Around 66% of this waste was recycled or subjected to thermal
recovery. The remainder was disposed of by incineration (31%) or
landfills (3%). The aim is to further reduce the amount of solid
waste generated and to improve the recycling quota.
Worldwide, BASF strives to reduce accidents
and injuries. The company’s global goal for 2020 is to
reduce lost time injury rate per million working hours by 80%
compared with 2002. The lost time injury rate in Greater China
was 0.4 per million working hours in 2008, a reduction of 50%
compared to 2007 (0.8 per million working hours). No work
fatality was recorded in 2008.
BASF in Greater China
BASF has been a committed partner to Greater China since 1885. It
is one of the biggest foreign investors in the Chinese chemical
industry. BASF has about 6,300 employees
in Greater China and posted sales
of about Euro4.2 billion in 2008. The company operates 19 BASF
wholly owned subsidiaries and 10 BASF joint ventures in Greater
China.