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More than 160 people are employed at Eastman's Workington site in the United Kingdom. The site covers 80 acres with about 35 acres occupied by buildings. The operation started in 1969, with the production of acetate tow as Ectona Fibres Ltd. - a joint venture between Eastman Kodak and Bunzl. Later, Eastman bought out Bunzl and the company became Eastman Chemical Ectona Ltd.
Shipping of final products is mainly by sea bulk containers and trucks. The Workington site is ISO 9001:2000 certified.
In line with the Eastman Responsible Care Pledge, the Workington site is also committed to the Responsible Care Program sponsored by the UK Chemical Industries Association ( CIA). Being a member of this program enables the site to participate in a local Responsible Care Cell, whose members represent local chemical industries and associated businesses. The group meets regularly to discuss common issues in the industry and regulatory issues.
The Workington site received a 2007 Chemical Industry Energy Award from the Chemical Industries Association for improving energy efficiency at the site and also an IChemE, Resource Efficient Manufacturing Award 2007 (Highly commended).
Since commissioning in October 2006, the two wind turbines on site continue to generate more than 25% of the electricity required by the site, resulting in an annualized reduction of at least 9000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
The use of green clean energy from a renewable source fits perfectly with the company's Responsible Care® policy. The use of these turbines enables the company to secure energy generated from a sustainable source and underlines the company's commitment toward the environment.
To encourage energy efficiency and enable the company to recoup part of the levy imposed by the UK government's Climate Change Levy scheme, the Workington site has committed to a Climate Change Agreement. This agreement requires the company to set energy efficiency targets and meet them in order to reclaim the levy.
Safety has always been a key issue for the Workington site and this resulted in the site receiving an Improvement Award from the Chemical Industries Association for attaining an improvement in Lost Time Accident Rate of at least 25% per year for 3 years (2004 -2006).
The Acetate Tow plant continues to operate under an IPPC permit. As part of the ongoing expansion to the Acetate Tow plant, a new filtration system has been installed which will result in a reduction of waste produced at the site.
 The Community Liaison Panel at Workington was established in 1993. It is an important part of Eastman's commitment to Responsible Care. The panel helps promote understanding between the local community and Eastman, as a responsible employer in the community.
The panel meets four times a year with representatives from local village (Seaton, Siddick, Northside and Flimby) residents, local government councilors and the church. |