Chr. Hansen strengthens environmental efforts

Chr. Hansen has just published its global environmental report for the financial year of 2006 covering 33 sites.

The many initiatives taken to improve our environmental performance are yet to be fully reflected in the data, but measures are being taken to speed this up.

In 2006 we have established a Corporate Compliance Function by a merger of legal and regulatory experts with specialists in implementing our policies and standards, as well as information specialists. This creates an even stronger platform for sound business practices.

Room and plans for improvement

Even though the absolute consumption of raw material, energy and water was reduced in 2006, all major Environmental Performance Indicators for water, energy and waste show a decline. Changes in product mixes explain some of the variation, but the result indicates that the efficiency of resource utilization needs to be improved. Thus, we have initiated concrete projects with aggressive reduction targets for major resource consumers.

We are pleased, however, to note that the number of accidents has decreased and no serious accidents have occurred.

Lean - instrumental in improving the environmental performance

Another positive development is the roll-out of the Lean philosophy on waste elimination in procedures and processes. Numerous Lean projects are being carried out throughout the company.

Our experience is that Lean reduces resource consumption and not the least improves workflows, which is directly beneficial to the environment, health and safety. We will exploit this further in the coming years.