The Product Stewardship Award, which is open to any European user, distributor or supplier of solvents, is presented to companies that demonstrate significant and cost effective health, safety and environmental improvements in their use of solvents. An independent jury, comprising senior representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament, media and trade associations, were impressed by Drogas Vigo's comprehensive and holistic approach to safe handling.
Highlights of the company's strategy included the use of cryogenic technology to reduce VOC emissions, improved storage facilities to prevent leakages, conducting customer site appraisals, and presenting seminars on the explosion and fire risks from static electricity. John Greenhough, Shell Chemicals Global Product Stewardship Advisor - Solvents, said: "I am delighted Drogas Vigo have won the 6th ESIG Product Stewardship Award.
"Over the last six years, they have put tremendous efforts into the implementation of their product stewardship strategy and it is an outstanding example of best practice in the sustainable distribution of solvents. "Our Sales and Technical Support teams work hard to support customers in their product stewardship improvement initiatives, and we encourage them to gain recognition for their achievements. It was satisfying that three out of the four strong contenders for this year's Award were all Shell customers."
As head of ESIG's Product Stewardship Group, Greenhough (pictured above left presenting the award to Drogas Vigo General Manager, Enrique Casal Garcia) has been involved in the organising of this year's Awards. "These Awards take a lot of effort to organise but are proving an effective way to share best practice and promote continuous improvement in the use of solvents. They are now an integral part of the solvent industry's commitment to the responsible and ethical management of the health, safety and environmental aspects of a product throughout its total life cycle."
The Award ceremony celebrating Drogas Vigo's success took place on 26 October 2007 in Paris, as part of CEFIC's Responsible Care Conference.
