It is becoming increasingly popular for companies to talk about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), but Akzo Nobel Surfactants is taking action. The Surfactants Business Unit (BU) won the 2006 CSR Award for Best Business Unit. An international jury assessed 63 submissions to determine the business unit and team that best displayed a dedication to CSR. The jury decided to assign the prize not for one entry but rather for the total CSR Profile of the BU as reflected by their various entries. The criteria were: an integrated, global approach; maturity; depth; and a continuous and sustainable improvement over time.

Surfactants has embraced CSR as a business-wide initiative and proved its commitment in 2006 by submitting 12 CSR Award entries. The Surfactants BU has implemented a number of sustainability driven programs and processes. SBU Europe has made Product Stewardship and Responsible Care a part of every employee’s daily work by implementing one integrated QHSE/RC management system. This effort was the result of an excellent rollout to all disciplines and employees supported by a powerful and easily accessible web-based IMS. This initiative led to the first external Responsible Care Verification within Akzo Nobel in May 2006.

The Gate Model used to systematically assess the feasibility of R&D Projects was recently adapted to include all aspects of Health, Safety, Environmental (HSE) and regulatory affairs. Its flexibility was improved to assure that even small projects now receive a critical and objective review. During 2005 the Gate Model was rolled out globally. It is now a key element in creating a sustainable product portfolio for Surfactants.

On the environmental front, Akzo Surfactants’ operations in Itupeva significantly reduced their VOC emissions, helping Surfactants make a major contribution to reducing VOC emissions by Akzo Nobel as a whole.