Environmental Performance

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Cookson's operations have a range of environmental impacts, both beneficial and adverse, generated through the production of components, materials and chemicals to service the needs of other industries. We are working increasingly in partnership with suppliers and customers so as to achieve increased awareness in the supply chain, thereby optimising positive and reducing negative impacts.

Reducing energy use and CO2 emissions
A key environmental impact is the generation of carbon dioxide from energy used and fuels burned within our facilities. Since 2004, Cookson has operated a programme aimed at reducing energy use and hence the associated emissions of carbon dioxide ("CO2"), the principal greenhouse gas. The programme trains employees to understand energy use and conservation principles and introduces energy audits to assist high-use sites in identifying and implementing conservation measures. During 2008, Cookson conducted energy audits and prepared energy use-reduction plans at 17 facilities. These efforts have yielded a 3.4% reduction in gas use and a 6.7% reduction in electricity use from 2007 to 2008, excluding the impact of the Foseco acquisition.The following charts show Cookson's electricity and gas consumption over the last five years.

Minimising environmental impacts
The usage of solvents constitutes an integral part of a number of Cookson manufacturing processes, principally in the Electronics Division. Cookson operates control regimes that provide high levels of efficiency in terms of preventing releases to atmosphere. Group operations are actively investigating methods to reduce solvent usage and to further minimise emissions.

Cookson generates both hazardous and non-hazardous categories of waste. Disposal is becoming increasingly subject to close regulation and Cookson operations are required to document and monitor disposal locations and allied disposal systems. Vesuvius has successfully implemented a number of waste reduction programmes in partnership with customers aimed at increasing recycling and the return of packaging materials. An example of a Vesuvius partnership with a steel-manufacturing customer lies in the joint development of robust returnable packaging crates in place of disposable wooden crates. Vesuvius also reduces waste volume by recycling refractory material at a number of its locations.

Like many manufacturers, some Group companies have potential environmental liabilities because of past operations at their current or former sites. Where remediation is required, Cookson environmental managers and external specialists work with government authorities to ensure that remediation is conducted effectively and efficiently.