Environmental protection initiatives at Armacell
Environmental protection is one of the main pillars of Armacell’s corporate philosophy. It is an integral part of the business strategy and ranks equally with other company objectives. The environmental guidelines oblige all Armacell employees worldwide to behave responsibly towards the environment and conserve natural resources.
Armacell recognized early on that a sustainable use of resources also increases operating efficiency and productivity. The company restricts itself to manufacturing products which, when used for the purpose for which they are intended, pose no threat to the environment and thus fulfil not only the technical but also the ecological requirements. In 1989, the company was the first producer of technical insulation worldwide to abstain from using the CFCs listed in the Montreal Protocol. To use resources as efficiently as possible, Armacell is constantly searching for ways to reduce raw material use, energy consumption and the waste rate. Intelligent systems are developed for utilizing production waste which occurs, such as the recycling plant which was put into operation at the Münster plant in 1996. On the way to environmental standards which are valid worldwide, in the long term all locations are to be certified in accordance with the international environmental standard ISO 14000, many already are today. At all locations, environmental protection is to be integrated in the business processes and linked to occupational safety, product stewardship and corporate citizenship. Armacell has been able to make great progress in the field of in-company environmental protection over the past 15 years.
Since the end of the nineties, the company has increasingly concentrated on the environmental impact of its products. Armacell is a founder member of the European Alliance for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (EuroACE), which was formed by the European Commission after the world climate summit in Kyoto and promotes proposed legislation on energy saving in buildings. In order to be able to put an exact and representative figure on the energy-saving potential which can be realized by insulating heating and hot-water pipes, Armacell commissioned the Centre for Sustainable Building (Zentrum für umweltbewusstes Bauen) at the University of Kassel to carry out a scientific study. The results are now being presented in a broad campaign.
In future, more emphasis will also be placed on the social dimension of sustainability. Amongst Armacell employees there is a great willingness to become involved in concerns which go beyond those of the company. At the beginning of 2005, staff set up a relief fund for the Tsunami victims in South-East Asia. Many employees worldwide participated in creative activities raising 25,000 euros. The company made this amount up to 50,000 euros, which was donated to long-term aid projects in the area. In 2005, Armacell received the Ethics in Business Award for its outstanding commitment to environmental and social issues. This award is presented to companies for their exemplary conduct towards people and the environment - also known as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In 2006, Armacell joined the UN initiative Global Compact, the world’s most important business network for sustainable globalization.
Armacell’s environmental protection guidelines
Our aim is to gear all business activities to protecting and conserving nature.
Our environmental policy is based on the following principles:
- Manufacturing only products which represent no hazard for the environment when they are used as they are intended by customers and consumers.
- Supplying information on the correct storage, use and disposal of our products.
- Conserving natural resources by using raw materials and energy responsibly.
- Using environmentally-friendly technology in research and production. By doing so we increase safety in the workplace and protect the community and the environment.
- Avoiding and reducing waste; using recycling and environmentally-friendly disposal systems.
- Endangering soil, air and water as little as possible
- Preparing for potential dangerous situations in order to protect both people and the environment.
Historical overview of environmental activities
1991
Armstrong commits itself publicly to environmental protection. Armstrong becomes an active member of ‘future e.V.’, a business initiative for in-company environmental protection.
1992
First lifecycle assessment in cooperation with the Institute for Ecological Economic Research Berlin (IÖW) begins. Introduction of an annual waste balance sheet and a waste management concept at the Münster plant.
1993
A regular internal environmental audit is established. At three-year intervals, every production facility worldwide is audited in accordance with the environmental legislation of the country in which it is located. In addition to this, recommendations are made which go above and beyond the legislation.
1994
An Environmental Steering Team is set up to examine the environmental soundness of all business processes from the purchase of raw materials to the transportation of goods.
1995
Introduction of an environmental management system at the company headquarters in Münster.
1996
Procedure for assessing raw materials from an ecological point of view is established. The company builds its own recycling plant for scrap resulting from the production of Armaflex.
1997
Armstrong Insulation Products becomes a founder member of EuroACE, the European alliance for energy efficiency in buildings, which was formed by the European Commission after the world climate summit in Kyoto. The Environmental Management System at Armstrong Insulation Products in Münster is one of the first in the Münsterland to receive the EMAS certificate.
1998
The Friesenhofen-Leutkirch location is validated in accordance with EMAS.
1999
The validation of the insulation plant in Zeulenroda means that all German plants carry the European ecological stamp of quality in accordance with the EMAS regulation.
2000
The insulation products division of Armstrong World Industries is sold and begins to do business under the name Armacell. The new company continues to stand for everything which typified Armstrong Insulation Products and commits itself publicly to environmental protection.
Armacell Iberia is the first Spanish company in this line of business to stop using HCFCs in the manufacture of its polyethylene products. The propellant is replaced by environment-friendly Isobutan.
2001
Armacell commissions the Centre for Sustainable Building (Zentrum für umweltbewusstes Bauen) at the University of Kassel, Germany, to carry out a scientific study on the potential for energy savings by insulating heating and hot-water pipes with Armaflex (CO2-Study).
2003
An integrated management system is established: quality management and environmental protection are brought together in one system and harmonized: certification of Armacell GmbH in accordance with EN 9001 and EN 14001.
The Centre for Sustainable Building presents the final report of the CO2-study.
2004
Armacell GmbH is revalidated in accordance with EMAS II. Under the new version of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, the company is no longer validated on a locational but on an organizational basis.
2005
Armacell receives the Ethics in Business Award for its exceptional commitment to the environment and social issues.
A Tsunami relief fund is set up: donations of 50,000 euros benefit long-term humanitarian and ecological projects in the area.
The Chinese Panyu location is certified according to ISO 14001. This makes Armacell the first, and as yet the only, manufacturer of flexible technical insulation materials in China to have gained the environmental certificate.
2006
Armacell begins a broad information campaign on the potential for savings by insulating hot pipes in buildings (EPBD-campaign).
Armacell’s Thai subsidiary receives the prestigious Prime Minister’s Industry Award for its innovative energy management programme.
Armacell joins the UN initiative Global Compact, the world’s most important business network for sustainable globalization. The members of the Global Compact commit themselves to promoting in their sphere of influence the implementation of ten fundamental principles regarding environmental protection, compliance with labour standards, combating corruption and the general protection of human rights. They also undertake to advocate publicly for the objectives of the pact.
2007
At the company headquarters in Münster, Armacell's largest production plant worldwide, an innovative exhaust air combustion system is installed. With this the largest environmental investment in the history of the company, measurable air pollutants are reduced by approximately 90 %.
|
|
|