As part of its commitment to long-term sustainable development, the Equate Group, a global producer of petrochemicals, has pledged its allegiance to the international environmental programme Operation Clean Sweep (OCS).

 

Stewarded by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), OCS aims to achieve zero pellets, flake and powder loss into the environment. By signing the pledge, Equate must ensure that OCS sustainable best practice requirements are implemented across its facilities in a bid to eliminate accidental loss of pellets during production, handling, storage and transportation from the processing facility to the environment.  

 

The OCS pledge is a strong example of Equate’s continuous drive to shrink its carbon footprint. The company believes that by further strengthening its accidental loss processes, it will not only help protect the environment and save valuable resources, but will also deliver greater added value for a more competitive, resilient plastics industry.

 

Dr Abeer Al-Omar, Equate Group Sustainability Committee Leader, said: “We are dedicated to reducing our impact on the environment, and will continue to develop and implement stringent operational processes that contribute to reducing plastic accidental loss. It is promising to see how as an industry we are working together to make a positive and sustainable impact in everything that we do.”

 

Since its inception, sustainability measures have been firmly embedded in Equate’s organisational culture through Equate’s Sustainability Strategy 2025, consisting of 11 initiatives identified under environment, economy, society and health and safety. Equate’s sustainability strategy is mapped against the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligned with Kuwait’s National Development Plan and Canada’s Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

 

Abdul Wahab Al-Shatti, Senior Production Engineer said: “We have created a cross functional team to help ensure we are all working together to achieve zero pellets, flake and powder accidental loss. We are proud of the initiative and look forward to continually enhancing our engagements and efforts in the OCS programme.”

 

The OCS programme was first introduced by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) - and today it is practised in over 60 countries and thousands of manufacturing and transportation facilities around the world. -- TradeArabia News Service