We are committed to the safety and well-being of our employees, our neighbourhood and the environment. Our processes and systems are designed for inherent safety complemented by protective systems. Our track record in HSE compliance and business continuity spans over a century.
We evaluate residual risks systematically. We strive to reduce risks as far as is reasonably practicable. Our processes and systems meet national and European regulations as well as our own strict standards. Considerable time and funds are invested in developing safe processes and in improving production equipment, utilities and spill and fire protection systems.
Developing safe processes – then & now
We try to focus on eliminating hazards as much as on reducing risks for accidents and on limiting the potential consequences of accidents. This is consistent with the Bow Tie model for safety.
By using the Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) cycle, we systematically drive improvements. We strive to continuously improve our HSE systems and performance.
Our objectives are to increase awareness and knowledge about HSE and to increase the levels of trust and responsibility in our organization. In this way we strive to achieve a higher level of safety culture, with our personnel being proactive in all aspects of HSE.
Source: NEN Safety Culture Ladder
Due to the storage and processing of large quantities of hazardous materials Katwijk Chemie is classified as a SEVESO company. Because the European SEVESO III guideline applies to Katwijk Chemie, we are legally bound to minimize risks for companies and residents in the vicinity and for the environment in all our operations. Katwijk Chemie is bound to:
Regular HSE inspections take place both for compliance with SEVESO legislation and for compliance with our environmental permit and applicable Dutch environmental legislation. DCMR (Rijnmond Environmental Service), the regional safety authority Hollands Midden and the Netherlands Labour Authority (Arbeidsinspectie) are involved.
Katwijk Chemie strives to minimize risks of exposure to the hazardous substances handled by our own staff and by our customers and strives to minimize risks for the environment. We are compliant with the European REACH legislation.
Katwijk Chemie’s HSE organization is supported by service providers and equipment suppliers and by cooperation and knowledge sharing with other companies in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. We are a member of Deltalinqs, the organization representing companies in industry and logistics in mainport Rotterdam and the surrounding area.
Katwijk Chemie aims to improve its safety culture and HSE performance beyond solely compliance requirements.
Examples of HSE systems (clockwise):
High-Expansion Foam Supply, Nitrogen Generator, Carbon Absorption and Scrubber
Minimizing our footprint
We minimize the environmental footprint of our plant in Katwijk by:
Total emission of CO2 from the consumption of natural gas in our plant was 1.5 ktonnes in 2022. Katwijk Chemie emits approximately 0.1 kg of CO2 per euro added value: far below the average of the Dutch chemical industry of 1.8 kg CO2 per euro.
Examples of Energy Saving Measures (clockwise):
Bikes, Vacuum drying, Flow Technology and Electric cars
We minimize the environmental impact and potential negative social effects in our supply chain by:
People
We train our employees in the safety and environmental aspects of our processes and systems. We encourage our operators, analysts, technicians, supervisors and other personnel to actively help improve the safety of our processes and to minimize their environmental impact.
We foster the social culture in our organization. We strive to offer our employees a safe, pleasant and rewarding work environment.
We support our local community by donating to local charities and by sourcing locally where possible. We support education in scientific and technical disciplines by offering on-the-job learning, internships, plant tours for students and by providing help for projects for schools and universities.
