Server: Netscape-Communications/1.1 Date: Thursday, 20-Nov-97 21:28:33 GMT Last-modified: Monday, 20-Jan-97 17:17:14 GMT Content-length: 4226 Content-type: text/html Environment
  Ferro Corporation
Commitment to the Environment

  Ferro views growing worldwide concern for the environment as an opportunity to develop better products, to continuously improve the responsible management of chemicals and to participate in chemical industry efforts to address public concerns.

Environmental considerations are a driving force behind the evolution of products and the identification of additional niche opportunities by each of the business segments. Examples include the development of lead- and cadmium-free color pigments and of fuel additives that reduce automotive emissions, the growing popularity of solvent-free powder coatings and of recyclable polypropylene compounds, and much more.

Ferro has invested heavily in upgrading facilities to meet regulatory standards, increase efficiency, minimize and reuse wastes and enhance the recyclability of products. Since 1985, for example, the Company has conducted regular audits to ensure that all plants comply with exacting environmental, health and safety standards. Ferro also implemented a program in 1988 to minimize wastes that has led to a substantial decline in pounds of waste per pounds of product. The Company participates in and already exceeds the goals of the U.S. EPA's voluntary 33/50 Program. This program calls for a 50 percent reduction in the environmental releases of 17 specific chemicals by 1995.

In addition, virtually all bulk storage tanks have been moved above ground or eliminated. Recently installed biological waste water treatment plants at the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Bedford, Ohio, facilities ensure that waste water effluent meets regulatory requirements for discharge. Ferro is also committed to installing state-of-the-art systems to reduce volatile emissions at its manufacturing facilities.

The Company has developmental programs under way to enhance the recyclability of polypropylene products, and the polypropylene compounding business is utilizing greater quantities of recycled plastics.

Ferro participates in the Chemical Manufacturers Association's Responsible Care program, a broad chemical industry commitment to improve environmental and safety performance through a process the ensures responsivenss to the public's concerns. As part of the program, Ferro has been implementing management practices that address process safety, pollution prevention, employee health and safety, distribution, community awareness, emergency response and product stewardship.