Axens is receiving a top annual safety award in the category of responsible care from the Union of the French Chemical Industries (UIC) for its Salindres plant in the Gard region, company officials said on Wednesday.
The Salindres plant is its main catalyst and adsorbent production site in France.
The 2011-2012 National Safety Award recognizes the overall approach adopted at the Salindres plant to "improve the safety of employees and the local community as well as the safety of facilities and products”, according to the UIC group.
Axens’ initiatives involved hiring a theater troupe from the Théâtre du Cratère d’Alès to educate employees about occupational safety on the site, the company said.
In October 2011, the plant had already received the "Mediterranean Responsible Care Award" from the Languedoc-Roussillon and PACA-Corse UICs, which recognizes efforts to improve health, safety and environmental protection.
Axens will be presented with the award in Paris on Thursday, April 26, at the UIC general meeting.
Axens notes that it has had an integrated QHSE management system in place since 2005 and signed the UIC “Responsible Care” commitment in 2008.