Global sustainability services provider Nalco states, in its sustain- ability report for 2010, that the company has experienced significant growth over the 2010/11 financial year through increasing production and focusing on emerging global growth regions, but adds that its sustainability results suffered.

The company’s sustainability services and technologies product offering drove sales to $4.25-billion in 2010, a 13% increase on the previous year. Nalco is focused on industrial water, energy and air applications, assisting customers to reduce energy, water and other natural resource consumption, as well as decreasing emissions.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) were $747-million, a 13% increase, compared with $659-million in 2009.

In addition, the group says it has also bettered prefinancial crisis results and doubled revenue growth from its historic 3% to 4% annual rate.

Nalco’s third-quarter results for 2011 continued this trend, with actual third- quarter net sales increasing by 15%, compared with the third quarter of 2010.

Nalco CEO Erik Fyrwald says he is optimistic that the group will continue this upward movement.

“Given the acceleration of our strong performance and slightly lower tax rate, we have updated our outlook for the 2011 fiscal year. “Our technology and service expertise enabled us to grow both price and volume in the face of significant raw material cost inflation this quarter, and we are well positioned to continue delivering strong gains in the fourth quarter and into 2012,” he says.
The group’s updated outlook for the 2011 fiscal year pegs Ebitda at $745- million.

Further, Nalco reports that it will continue to focus on the growing market regions of Brazil, Russia, India and China, as well as opportunities in the Middle East, the Caspian region and Southern Africa. The group believes water scarcity challenges and increased attention to environmental protection in these locations will create opportunities for Nalco, and expects high industrial growth in these markets.

However, a 19% increase in global production from 2009 to 2010 dramatically affected Nalco’s environmental results, increasing its global waste-generation volume, water use, energy use, and greenhouse-gas emissions.

This short-term increase in the company’s environmental-impact statistics is in contrast with its longer-term impact figures from 2006 to 2010, where Nalco achieved a 10.5% decrease in total energy consumption, and a 10.1% decrease in greenhouse-gas emissions.

Despite the rising environmental impact results observed during the 2010/11 fiscal year, Nalco Africa marketing manager Casimiro da Silva Santos stresses its commitment to global sustainability and environmental pro- tection policies.

“All our programmes and technologies are developed with sustainability in mind, and we have demonstrated our commitment to sustainability by being accepted as a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. Further, our 3D TRASAR technology for cooling water delivers a measurable environ- mental return on our clients’ investments by reducing carbon and water footprints,” he says.

Nalco explains that it is dedicated to the principles outlined in the United Nations Global Compact, a strategic policy initiative for business, and the Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate, which aims to assist companies in the development, implementation and disclosure of water sustainability policies and practices. Nalco references the transparency demonstrated in the sustainability report as proof of its commitment to strict environmental protection measures.

Nalco also has a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund and nonprofit organisation Water for People, which involves voluntary participation by Nalco employees in the World Water Corps. This arm of Water for People helps to ensure the sustainability of water and sanitation systems through testing, observation and interviews in targeted communities.

Meanwhile, Nalco’s plant in Garyville, Louisiana, has been presented with a 2011 SAFE (Serious About Fostering Excellence) Award for its environmental and safety performance and community outreach efforts by the Louisiana Chemical Associa- tion (LCA). The Garyville plant was recognised as the best in Louisiana for Class Two, which refers to locations with 101 to 200 full-time employees. The SAFE programme evaluates a plant’s performance in employee safety, contractor safety, environmental efforts and ‘good neighbour’ activities with local communities. Winners are selected from almost 100 facilities across the state. “Health and safety, strong environmental performance and keeping our plants, products and people secure are top priorities for all LCA members,” says LCA president Dan Borne. “Chemical manufacturers work relentlessly on this because great performance every day in these critical areas is equally important to folks who live in communities where plants operate.” The Garyville plant is Nalco’s largest manufacturing site in the world. It is the second time in the past four years the plant has received the SAFE award. “Safety is a core value at Nalco. We make safety personal for our employees and our target is always zero – zero emissions, accidents and injuries,” notes plant manager Carl Pasquarelli. “We also believe in supporting our community through initiatives such as our Adopt a School programmes, United Way contributions, the American Cancer Society and the Garyville Volunteer Fire Department.”

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