We put safety first as a chemical manufacturer, and over the past several years we have invested extensively in plant and equipment in an effort to reduce our environmental footprint.

In the Murcia region of Spain, where the plant is located, the groundwater is extremely hard and contains large amounts of mineral salts. Out of concern that wastewater released from the plant could further elevate mineral salt concentrations, water treatment equipment was, in compliance with legal requirements, installed with the goal of eliminating salt content from industrial drainage from the plant.

With the new system, organic materials are broken down in the activated sludge layer before entering the device itself; mineral salts are then removed by the equipment. What ultimately emerges at the other end is good quality water of high purity, which can then be reused, enabling improvements on the cost front.

Following the switch to natural gas boilers, which reduce the burden on the environment, the remaining heavy oil boiler underwent refurbishment in 2009. This upgrade is expected to reduce heavy oil consumption by more than half. Waste oil from the plant will consist purely of hydrocarbons, making for a much cleaner fuel than the heavy oil used before.

Production processes for over a hundred items are being systematically reviewed, and on-site inventory of intermediates reduced, in an effort to conserve energy and raw materials and ensure a safe working environment.

Other steps are also being implemented to ensure safety and protect the health of workers. These include providing employees with training and giving them flu shots. Takasago's Spanish subsidiary will further strengthen efforts in the areas of the environment, safety, workplace conditions, and the health of employees as part of its mission of supplying safe, reliable products.