In our operations we process natural resources as aggregate (stone, gravel and sand) limestone (in the form of cement) and water, consuming mainly energy. The products will after transport finally enter into different constructions. Our products are often the largest part by volume of these constructions and our main product, concrete, is probably the most common building material in the world.
It is Thomas Groups solid conviction that highest environmental concern is necessary for longtime profitability and competitiveness. The environmental work shall be based on an overall view of our products and processes local and global environmental impact. By doing that we will also contribute to a sustainable development of our society based on global concern by local action.
From this background The Thomas Group divided environmental matters into 5 different areas.
1. Health and safety
a. By implemented routines we must secure that products inserted as well as our final products are safe in handling and contribute to a healthy indoor environment.
b. Workers health and safety is mainly regulated by national and local legislation and therefore each company, based on their own workers health and safety policy, handles these matters.
2. Local and global environmental impact
a. In production and distribution we must protect the local environment and be a good citizen and neighbor by active environmental management of wash water, dust, noise and transports.
b. The largest global environmental impact in the production chain of concrete is the CO2 outlet from production of Portland clinker. To improve our products environmental profile the use and development of alternative binders and optimization of recipes are priority areas.
3. Energy consumption
a. Increased energy efficiency and use of renewable sources should be parts of every environmental action plan.
4. Chemicals
a. Even if the proportion of chemicals in our products is low handle we high volumes. Mainly, but not only, in form of admixtures in our products. Guidelines for approval, registration, use and disposal of chemicals in should be implemented for each company concerned.
5. Life cycle adoption
a. We support the assumption that in a sustainable society is that what are taken from the nature must in a sustainable way be used, reused, recycled and/or finally disposed with a minimum use of resources and without damages to the nature.
This statement is the foundation on which each operations environmental policy is based.
Gothenburg April 2007-04-10
Jan Thomas
CEO |
