Aware of the key role we have to play in preserving our environment, we strive in all our activities, projects and products to keep in mind the concept of sustainable development.

We are also committed to achieving several goals in terms of sustainable development:

Development and use of manufacturing processes that are energy efficient and require few raw materials

Our phosphoric acid production yields are amongst the best in the world and help to save both raw materials and energy.

The steam given off during production of sulphuric acid is collected and used as an energy source throughout the site instead of fossil fuels.

Getting the most out of by-products

Optimising our manufacturing processes and choosing raw materials wisely means we can get the most out of our by-products and can find new outlets for them.

	A total of 75% of the calcium sulphate produced during the manufacture of phosphoric acid is used in the plaster and cement sectors.
	The fluorine present in phosphates, our primary raw material, is used in the form of fluorine salts. Our customers use these fluorine salts, amongst others, to manufacture toothpaste.

Renewable energy sources

We are currently looking into the possibility of installing a wind turbine at our production site in Puurs, Belgium.
We are also looking into the feasibility of installing an electricity cogeneration unit at our production site in Engis, Belgium.

Optimising transportation

At our different sites, our production activities form an integrated chain and this keeps handling to a minimum. As far as possible, we also use waterways to transport our raw materials and dispatch our end products.

Waste management

We limit the amount of waste we produce by using as much of it as possible in our different processes. Remaining waste is sorted so that it can be reused. We are continually striving to improve our performance in this area.

Recycling

We are also conducting a feasibility study into a project to introduce pyrolysis (decomposition at high temperature) of slurry from urban wastewater purification plants. The aim of the project is to recycle the ash for its P2O5 and to use it in manufacturing fertilisers. This shows that phosphates in wastewater, whatever their origin (human or animal metabolism, industry, agriculture, cleaning) can be recycled whilst at the same time allowing energy to be collected to produce steam.