Cognis Brazil and the environment

It is part of the culture of the company to develop projects for improvement of its environmental aspects. The sustainable development is Cognis’ concern that invests not only in local programs where it is present, but especially in the technological evolution of its processes and services, always aiming at the use of renewable natural resources, the wellbeing of communities and sustainability of future generations. Besides being a signatory of the world “Responsible Performance”, from the Brazilian Association of Chemical Industry (Abiquim), Cognis owns the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, relating to quality systems and environment. Cognis was the second chemical industry in Brazil to have its Environmental Management System certified by NBRISO14001 standard. The maintenance of this achievement demonstrates that the company contributes to the continued improvement of its processes, combining its production activities with the environment.

Our internal and external programs related to the environment are:

The bathwater is heated by a
solar power system at Cognis
Brazil

Solar Power System
In September 2007, Cognis implemented a new system for harnessing the power of the sun on its administrative building in Jacareí. This project enabled the bathwater for employees and the water for the restaurant to be heated by solar energy rather than by burning fossil fuel. Thus, it reduced carbon dioxide emissions, ergo contributing to mitigate the greenhouse effect.

Protecting the Paraíba do Sul river  
Cognis has in its policy the commitment to continuous cut down on release of organic load in the Paraíba do Sul River. Therefore, with a Wastewater Treatment Plant with efficiency exceeding 95%, in addition to implementing continuous improvements in its production processes that drastically cut down the organic load released into the river since these measures started to take place in the Environmental Management System. Another important project was the installation of an emergency system that prevents—without the need of human intervention—that any leaks reach the River.

Cognis protected area

Cognis Environmental Reserve
In addition to preservation of riparian forest along the extension of Paraíba do Sul River, Cognis established the boundaries of other 45,000 square meters of the Jacareí production site, as an area of environmental protection.

Groundwater monitoring
Cognis has in its production site a monitoring system that takes care of the quality of the groundwater. This system can even detect contamination from other sources, which allows alerting the authorities about the ongoing situation.

Environmental Primer
The Environmental Primer is a publication of Cognis which is distributed throughout the elementary schools of Jacareí. With an easy and attractive language, the primer portrays information on the environment and seeks to teach students about the importance of daily actions for sustainability and their own wellness.

Amazon's community 

Amazon Care Chemicals
Cognis Brazil started the Amazon Care Chemicals project in 1999, aiming to yield an alternative source of income for traditional populations of the region working with their social and economic development. This partnership made feasible successful experiences presented in the form of products, which spawned benefits for cooperatives and associations of residents in Rondônia, Amazonas and Amapá (Brazil). Today, nearly 700 families are benefited through the project from the collection and sale of fruits and seeds, increase of employment and income with the production of vegetable oils.