Univar Launches New Sustainability Programme

U+stainability builds on Univar’s existing pioneering SHE programmes in Europe, Middle East and Africa, such as the widely recognised U+, and integrates these into the broader Univar sustainability programme, covering the whole value chain from suppliers to customers.

13 Apr 2010 --- Univar, a leading global chemical distributor is launching U+stainability, a far-reaching and comprehensive programme that pledges the company’s commitment to sustainability.

U+stainability will encompass a series of initiatives designed to reduce the company’s environmental impact and carbon footprint, ensure the safety and health of its employees and neighbours, support the growth of its supplier and customer businesses by providing them with sustainable solutions and ensure the safe stewardship of products.

U+stainability builds on Univar’s existing pioneering SHE programmes in Europe, Middle East and Africa, such as the widely recognised U+, and integrates these into the broader Univar sustainability programme, covering the whole value chain from suppliers to customers.

U+stainability demonstrates Univar’s commitment to providing suppliers and customers with a distribution partner they can rely on to continue their own efforts to operate a sustainable business. It represents a new benchmark for the industry, ensuring that there is a coherent and effective SHE and sustainability strategy all the way through the value chain.

“We have long been involved with, and indeed were leading proponents of, Responsible Care, the voluntary chemical SHE and sustainability action programme. However we have taken this a step further and developed U+, our widely recognised and pioneering internal site management system based around stringent SHE procedures and goals,” explains Sonia Pires, Univar’s recently appointed Director of SHE and Sustainability in EMEA. “U+stainability is the next step as sustainability is one of the industry’s most important issues and a key differentiator for the chemical distribution business.”

Univar EMEA already has a very strong track record when it comes to SHE and sustainability. With U+, Lost Time Incidence Rate has been cut by 60% over four years, and the company has been awarded several ISO certificates, while initiatives, like the U+ Pre-Delivery Safety Inspection, have been particularly well received by customers.

Emission reduction is also a top priority and in the UK, for example, Univar boasted an annual decrease of 23% in CO2 emissions over three years, helped by supply chain efficiencies which are enhanced by an optimum distribution planning tool. Technology has similarly been used to reduce water and electricity consumption with advanced wastewater treatment systems and smart lighting being introduced across the organisation. The company also offers a portfolio of ‘green’ and natural products.

“Our suppliers and customers devote significant effort and resources to developing and implementing sustainability programmes. As a distributor we have a responsibility not only to make our own business activity sustainable but to ensure that the commitment and achievements of our partners are maintained and supported,” explains John van Osch, Univar’s President, Europe, Middle East & Africa.