Towards a sustainable future
Sustainability is important to us:
- AkzoNobel holds a top position in the Dow Jones sustainability index
- AkzoNobel road salt is increasingly produced using green energy
- AkzoNobel road salt does not contain any insoluble components that produce particulates (PM10)
- AkzoNobel road salt does not contain any heavy metals.
Health, safety and the environment are an integral part of the way we do business. As a responsible manufacturer and supplier we meet and often exceed industry standards. AkzoNobel therefore holds second place in the Dow Jones sustainability index. We also hold the environmental certificate ISO 14001.
Increasingly green
- We are working on a renewed anti-caking agent, which can replace the standard product YPS (yellow prussiate of soda). YPS is a very stable chemical compound and in this form is harmless to humans and the environment. However, possible release of cyanide into soil surrounding salt storages and roadsides is cause for concern. Therefore, AkzoNobel has searched for an environmentally friendly and safe alternative. After many years of research and testing a major breakthrough has been achieved: Road salt with a biodegradable anti-caking agent, AkzoNobel mTA road salt. mTA (meso-Tartrate) the viable, cyanide-free and "green" anti-caking agent, contains a combination of tartrates and iron.
For more information see our Innovation page.
- The production of AkzoNobel road salt is becoming increasingly green. Our production process uses cogeneration units. These are the most efficient way to generate energy. At our production site in Denmark we also have the option of generating energy using wood-chip boilers. In addition, steam is taken from waste incineration plants for use at our production sites in Hengelo and Delfzijl.
- Our research department focuses on finding ways of boosting sustainability. This applies to both the production process and the various applications for salt. Our production process makes AkzoNobel road salt so pure that no insoluble components or heavy metals are left behind on the road. This means that no particulates (PM10) end up in the environment and no residues are left behind in your salt dissolver that can be regarded as chemical waste.
- AkzoNobel brine is extracted from underground mines as raw brine containing no insoluble components. The brine is extracted during our production process so does not require any extra energy. As the ready-to-use brine is not dissolved from salt, our brine does not contain any anti-caking agent.