Care for the environment
The life cycle of paint — production, application and ultimate disposal and degradation of the painted product — involves chemical processes, and therefore calls for great care to protect the environment. For this reason Beckers’ corporate environmental policy states that the provisions of current environmental legislation represent a minimum requirement for the Group and the aim is to be ahead of legislation. This concern for the environment is at the centre of Becker Industrial Coatings strategy:
- In the supply of coatings for processes with low environmental impact (coil coating)
- In the supply of coatings which themselves offer low environmental impact (water borne, high solids liquid coatings)
- In the promotion of low environmental impact coatings under the Becker GreenLine® brand.
ISO 14001 in Sweden
Managing for a better environment is an unending challenge
Becker Industrial Coatings AB (BICAB) in Märsta, Sweden, received its ISO14001 certificate in 1998. Since then BICAB has run a comprehensive programme of environmental improvement: the appointment of a responsible manager, an education programme for all employees, written procedures, documented objectives and targets, internal environmental audits and management review.
Capital investment has included some SEK 10M invested in 1999 in solvent control. A new incinerator reduced VOC emissions by 40% between 1999 and 2002.
More recently the management system has been simplified to allow clearer focus, and a new salary system has been introduced in the factory to stimulate the development of environmental competence and adherence to procedures. Laboratory work has focused on substituting materials with high environmental impact, including lead chromate, alkyl phenol ethoxylate, di-butyl tin mercaptide, and isophorone.
Recognising the interaction between quality, health and safety and environmental management (and the resulting economic benefits), the next step is to implement a '5S' programme — Sort/Systematise/Shine/Standardise/Self-Discipline — leading to leaner manufacturing with maximum waste reduction.
Ultrafiltration in Becker Germany laboratories
Spray and electrodeposition application of paint can create considerable quantities of waste paint mixed in water. Becker Industrielack has invested in ultrafiltration equipment to help develop coatings that can be recovered for re-use after spraying. This saves paint, allows the water to be re-used and reduces waste sent to landfill.
A cleaner atmosphere in Becker Italy
Tego Becker (Italy) has made major investments to control dust emissions by installing modern, efficient powder handling and air-recycling plants in its production areas. Levels of dust emission into the atmosphere are continuously monitored and kept well below legal limits. This improves the environment within the factory, and in the surrounding area.
ISO 14001 in the U.K.
Preparation for Becker U.K.’s ISO14001 approval took 18 months and involved everyone, including contractors. Major issues included improving control of VOCs and waste streaming. Over €300,000 was spent on reducing the exhaust points for VOCs from 11 to 2 to facilitate monitoring and control.
As the UK moves towards eliminating all industrial waste going to landfill, having the waste streaming procedures in place will allow rapid response to legislative and best practice changes. Naturally, continuous improvement like this is part of good management — and Becker Industrial Coatings UK is now planning to work for OHAS 18001, the standard for managing health and safety at work.
Full electronic systems, located in Becker Industrial Coatings' intranet, supports the management of all three standards in several Becker Industrial Coatings countries — ISO9001: 2000, ISO14001 and OHAS18001. All this is part of Becker Industrial Coatings' commitment to “sustainable value” — delivering value to customers and shareholders without transferring it from other stakeholders.