Evonik’s Hydrogen Peroxide Plant In Mobile Sets New Safety Record

Employees at Evonik Industries’ hydrogen peroxide plant in Mobile, Alabama, have worked more than three years without a Lost Time Accident (LTA) – a work related personal injury resulting in at least one day off from the job.

“It is extremely satisfying for us to know that, over the past 1,100 days, no employee has left work suffering from the effects of a workplace injury,” said Thomas Rieche, Head of Evonik's Active Oxygens Business Line. “Our workers in Mobile daily demonstrate that injury-free performance is not merely a goal but a reality if everyone works together to eliminate workplace accidents.”

Carlos Gil Mast, Vice President, Corporate Development Americas, who recently toured the site with Rieche and Ingo Hamann, Vice President Production and Engineering, Active Oxygens, emphasizes that Evonik focuses a tremendous amount of attention on safety. “Safety is a way of life at Evonik,” said Gil Mast. “It is well ingrained in our corporate culture. Our employees realize that safe work practices benefit them personally as well as the company. Our philosophy is that nothing is so important that it can’t be done safely.”

Mobile hydrogen peroxide Plant Superintendent Mike Barreca said the safety milestone was accomplished thanks to each employee’s personal commitment. “It was a dedicated team effort,” said Barreca. “Safety is the foundation on which we have built our business. But it’s not about the numbers. It is about the safety of our employees. That’s what really counts.”

The plant’s emphasis on safety is part of an overall company commitment to quality performance in all areas. Employees receive extensive safety and environmental training, participate on safety teams and are encouraged to report conditions they believe could pose potential safety or environmental hazards. These efforts have resulted in the plant achieving this enviable safety record.

With an annual capacity approaching 600,000 metric tons, Evonik's Industrial Chemicals Business Unit is the world's second-largest producer of the eco-friendly bleaching and oxidizing agent hydrogen peroxide. This is used mainly in paper and pulp bleaching, and some producers have recently begun using it in the synthesis of propylene oxide. Evonik produces hydrogen peroxide in Germany, Belgium, Austria, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Korea, Indonesia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

For additional information about Evonik Industries in North America, please visit our website: www.evonik.com/north-america.