Huntsman Textile Effects Envisages a Better World Through Sustainability in Action

Global Community Projects In Support of World Environment Day 2014
Jul 7, 2014 11:00 PM ET

Singapore, July 7, 2014 /3BL Media/ – In a company-wide effort spanning the globe, Huntsman Textile Effects has mobilized more than a quarter of its 3,000 strong associates at major facilities in eight countries to promote environmental sustainability through community activities. Clocking over 1,500 hours, this ‘Sustainability in Action’ initiative is the company’s latest global effort to support its ‘we see a better world’ focus.

“As a leading supplier of dyes and textiles chemicals, Huntsman Textile Effects recognizes that we have a responsibility to not only create value for our stakeholders today but also make a sustainable and vibrant world possible for future generations,” said Paul Hulme, President of Huntsman Textile Effects. “In our latest initiative, Huntsman Textile Effects associates around the world have customized activities to meet the specific needs of their local communities. By showing what sustainability looks like in action, we are making a difference and celebrating environmental sustainability as a way of life in our workplaces and homes.”

Sustainability is a core value of Huntsman Textile Effects. The company’s innovations help textile mills reduce waste and conserve resources to make life better for families around the world. Its processes and work environment encourage its associates to reduce resource consumption and turn waste streams into profitable products. As an active contributor to society and a champion of environmental protection, Huntsman Textile Effects leads its industry in taking sustainable approaches to business. It is committed to addressing the textile industry’s toughest challenges, such as higher energy prices and scarcer water sources, through its product research and development programs.

Since the textiles sector is a major global user of fresh water, water conservation and contamination prevention are key focus areas for Huntsman Textile Effects. This can be seen in its contribution to industry collaborations such as the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals Group and in the revolutionary products that it develops, as well as its community-based projects.

The latest ‘Sustainability in Action’ projects organized and conducted by the local Huntsman Textile Effects teams include tree planting, beach and park cleanups, recycling and waste disposal campaigns and community talks, as well as internal workshops and sustainability programs. Most of these activities are being carried out during June and July in support of World Environment Day (WED) 2014, which falls on June 5, with recycling and waste disposal projects continuing throughout the year.

“Huntsman Textile Effects’ approach to sustainability is grounded in the belief that individual actions have the power to bring about extraordinary change when we all work together. This is also a central tenet of WED,” Mr. Hulme continued.

A United Nations public outreach program to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the environment, WED celebrates the cumulative effect of individual effort. The Huntsman Textile Effects WED 2014 initiatives include:

  • Tree planting in Atoto, Mexico; Baroda, India; Bogota, Columbia; Guatemala City, Guatemala;  Istanbul, Turkey and Mahachai, Thailand
  • Hazardous household waste collection and safe disposal drives in Atoto and Bogota;
  • Recycling initiatives in Guatemala City, Istanbul and Singapore;
  • Community clean-up projects in Charlotte, USA; Panyu, China; and Singapore; and
  • Community education programs in Baroda, Bogota, Istanbul and Panyu.

The 2014 Sustainability in Action program also promoted a global Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) initiative to reduce use of disposable plastic bags, which are not only a drain on resources but also a cause of pollution in waterways and oceans. 3,000 sustainable canvas bags were distributed to promote sustainability to Huntsman Textile Effects associates and contractors worldwide after a global poll vote for their favorite canvas BYOB bag.

In addition to championing WED, Huntsman Textile Effects is also an avid supporter of Earth Hour, which it commemorates through its Big Switch Off program. In 2013, more than 3,000 Huntsman Textile Effects associates and contractors around the world joined together to turn off non-essential lights for one hour from midday on 22 March. This achieved estimated savings of 115 kwh, which would be enough to power a 20 watt compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) for 5,760 hours or 240 days.

 

References
Appendix 1        : About World Environment Day and Earth Hour
Appendix 2        : Program Introduction and Image Gallery

 

Media Contacts
Christina Koh +65 6390 6482 christina_koh@huntsman.com
Mindy Chee: +65 6390 6492 mindy_chee@huntsman.com

 

APPENDIX 1

About World Environment Day
World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Held every year since 1973, it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in more than 100 countries and by individuals worldwide. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet. For more information, visit http://www.unep.org/wed/

About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global initiative led by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on 29 March 2013, Saturday, at 8.30pm to show their support for environmentally sustainable action. The event began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, when two million people switched off their lights. By 2011, Earth Hour had created history as the largest voluntary action ever witnessed with participation across 135 countries, including the world’s most recognized man-made marvels and natural wonders in a landmark environmental action. It also marked the start of something new - going Beyond the Hour - to commit to lasting action on climate change. For more info, visit http://earthhour.wwf.sg.

APPENDIX 2: Program Introduction and Image Gallery

 

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About Huntsman Textile Effects
Huntsman Textile Effects is the leading global provider of high quality dyes and chemicals to the textile and related industries. Sustainability, innovation and collaboration are at the heart of what we do. We use cutting edge technology to develop solutions and create innovative products with intelligent effects such as built-in freshness, sun protection or state-of-the-art dyes which reduce water and energy consumption. All these go toward meeting the needs of our customers in supporting a more sustainable environment. Selling into more than 90 countries and with presence including eight primary manufacturing facilities in seven countries (China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Thailand, Switzerland) and 14 Formulation Distribution Centers spread across 12 countries, Huntsman Textile Effects is uniquely positioned to provide fast and expert technical service wherever our customers are based.

About Huntsman
Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals with 2012 revenues of over $11 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to meet the needs of consumers and manufacturers serving a broad range of end markets.  We operate more than 75 manufacturing and R&D facilities in 30 countries and employ approximately 12,000 associates within our five distinct business divisions.  For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in the Huntsman companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws.