Chemical manufacturing resource efficiency

Businesses in the chemical industry can have significant environmental impacts. The industry includes producers of commodity chemicals such as organic and inorganic chemicals and industrial gases, and speciality chemicals such as pharmaceutical products and essential oils. It also includes mixing, blending, diluting or converting basic chemicals to make chemical products and preparations, eg paints, pesticides, inks, detergents and cosmetics.

Using resources efficiently and considering ecodesign techniques can save you money and will reduce your impact on the environment. You can reduce costs by cutting your energy use and carbon emissions. You may also be able to introduce green chemistry principles to reduce your environmental impact and help you to use raw materials more efficiently, reduce waste and produce safer chemicals.

This guide describes how you can use green chemistry principles, manage your environmental performance and use energy efficiently. It also outlines your responsibilities if you produce packaging or dispose of packaging waste.