Columbian Chemicals Co. completes ISO 14001 registrations at all manufacturing facilities

Columbian Chemicals Co. has earned the ISO 14001 environmental management system registration at its 11 carbon black manufacturing facilities. Columbian Chemicals is the only major global carbon black manufacturer to have the certification of the International Organization for Standardization at 100 percent of its operating facilities.

“The environmental management system is effective at improving operations because it requires not only employee awareness, but also employee involvement, across the operation,” said Larry Spickard, senior vice president of operations. Every employee is trained on how his or her job function affects the environment, and by evaluating all of the potential impacts to the environment from the operation, the company proactively addresses areas of concern.

Achieving ISO 14001 registration means that each facility has implemented an environmental management system that meets the 18 elements of 14001, including the implementation of operational controls, associated employee training and awareness, and auditing procedures.

“The registration by ISO is secondary to our commitment to environmental stewardship. We embarked on implementing an environmental management system at all facilities because it is a crucial part of our commitment to operational excellence,” said James P. Berresse, president and CEO. “By integrating an environmental management system into our daily activities and by establishing targets and objectives, we will continually improve our environmental performance and increase efficiencies, which demonstrate our commitment to the sustainability of our operations and to the communities in which we operate.”

Columbian Chemicals Co. is one of the world’s leading producers of carbon black – an engineered material that improves the strength, durability and overall performance of a range of products including tires and other mechanical rubber goods, as well as inks, paints, plastics and coatings.

Based in Marietta, Ga., Columbian Chemicals Co. is a subsidiary of Phelps Dodge Corp., one of the world’s leading producers of copper. Columbian Chemicals Co. owns and operates carbon black manufacturing facilities in Brazil, Canada, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Korea, Spain and the United States.

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