Equality of opportunity
We strive to ensure that no existing or potential Elementis employee receives less favourable treatment than another on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, age, disability, social or economic class, trade union membership or non-membership, religion or political beliefs. The Elementis fair employment policies also recognise that employees should be able to conduct their duties free from the threat of bullying or harassment.

Employee well-being
Elementis aims to create a work environment that cares about the physical and mental health of employees in their communities.

In pursuit of this aim we have introduced a comprehensive HIV education awareness programme in South Africa, whilst in the USA we have introduced a disease management programme.

Our commitment to the environment
Our twin goals are zero environmental incidents and a continual improvement in environmental performance.

In recent years we have successfully reduced the number of environmental incidents (see chart). In 2004 we had five minor incidents. Even minor spills and leaks are subject to a full incident investigation process, reinforcing our culture of zero tolerance of environmental incidents.

Environmental incidents (number)

Elementis Tier 3 incidents are those that have a significant environmental impact or raise other concerns. The Tier 3 incident in 2004 involved 10 fish killed following a 19 litre acid spill as a result of flooding at the Easton, US, facility. Tier 2 are minor with no significant harm to the environment. Tier 1 is an environmental 'near miss'.

Emissions to air
Our emissions are closely regulated. Overall, including six month's data for the Delden site, our air emissions remained close to those in 2003.

Sulphur and nitrogen oxides (SOx and NOx), which can cause acid rain, carbon dioxide, a “greenhouse gas” which facilitates global warming and Volatile Organic Compounds, which can combine with NOx to form smog, were all similar to 2003 levels.

Acid rain – SOx and NOx emissions (tonnes)

Global warming – CO² emission
(thousand tonnes)

Discharges to water
We have made some improvement to water quality in 2004. Further improvements should come from the new waste water treatment plant at Elementis Specialties, Charleston.

Water quality (tonnes)

Solid waste
Due to the nature of our business, we generate a certain quantity of hazardous waste. The volume of this waste has been dramatically reduced since 1999.

Hazardous waste generated
(tonnes per tonne of production)

Water consumption
Elementis does not operate manufacturing facilities in areas of extreme water shortage, with the exception of the Specialties Hectorite mine in California. We recognise the global need to conserve water and consumption is lower than it was in 2000.