OxyChem Sustainability
Thoughtfully developing and manufacturing essential chemicals
For today and for future generations
At Oxy, business success in the global marketplace starts with responsible, safe operations, and environmental stewardship, today and for years to come. We strive to be a Partner of Choice® focusing on indispensable chemicals and sustainable solutions to efficiently bring innovative chemicals to our customers. We work with the highest integrity, in a culture of compliance and with respect for the communities where we live and operate, while protecting the environment where we operate and beyond. And by helping design and implement innovative, scalable solutions for global carbon management, we accelerate the successful transition to a low-carbon future.
A Clear Vision for Clean Water
Water quality and cleanliness are core to OxyChem’s business and have been reflected in our sustainability initiatives for years
OxyChem is helping address the global water crisis.
Through our partnership with Water Mission, approximately one million people in vulnerable communities in Uganda, Tanzania and the Bahamas have gained access to safe drinking water, made hygienic with OxyChem’s ACL® product. This important partnership was honored with the prestigious Sustainability Leadership Award from the American Chemistry Council in 2020 and the Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC) Social Impact Award in 2021.
To help raise awareness for the urgent need to expand global access to clean water, OxyChem is sponsoring the Global Water Center®. Launched in 2021, this first-of-its-kind educational center leverages multi-sensory exhibits in a highly interactive environment featuring new technology to inspire people to help end the global water crisis.
Our focus on the global need to keep plastics out of the environment, including oceans and waterways, led OxyChem to become a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste.
The AEPW seeks to invest $1.5 billion over five years to help eliminate plastic waste in the environment, especially in the ocean, to develop and scale innovative solutions that will minimize and manage plastic waste and promote solutions for used plastics by helping to enable a circular economy. This global effort consists of nearly 30 companies in the plastics value chain, including chemical and plastic manufacturers, consumer goods companies, retailers, converters and waste management operations.
To further our vision on management of plastic waste, OxyChem is a member of Operation Clean Sweep Blue.
OCS Blue is a product stewardship program designed to improve management of plastic resin and keep it out of the environment, including waterways. In addition to joining OCS Blue, we have committed to publicly share our best practices for vinyl resin stewardship, to encourage the entire supply chain to collaborate on preventing plastics from entering the environment.
2025 Sustainability Goals
Our commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement includes 2025 sustainability goals from eight key categories.
Safety and Stewardship Focus
OxyChem is proud to participate in the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care® program
Learn more |
OxyChem has tailored its health, environment, safety and security management system to incorporate the elements of the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care® initiative. The program is structured around a set of required Health, Environment, Safety and Security (HES&S) activities, many of which are more expansive than current government requirements. The four basic commitments required of Responsible Care® companies are:
Specific Responsible Care® activities include: implementation of management systems that must be regularly verified by independent auditors; measurement and tracking of performance through established HES&S metrics; and extending best practices to business partners. OxyChem facilities also regularly participate in community advisory panels to discuss HES&S improvements, performance and other items of interest. OxyChem is committed to advancing the safe and secure management of chemical products and processes, and continually strives to ensure safe production, distribution, use and disposal of its products. For a comprehensive review of Responsible Care, visit www.responsiblecare-us.com. OxyChem has a long-standing commitment to the protection of people and the environment. We believe in safety, health and security excellence, environmental stewardship, and high ethical standards. These key elements are fundamental to the socially responsible and sustainable operation of our business. We are respectful of the environment and the well-being of our employees, contractors, neighbors and other stakeholders. We are committed to keeping our facilities secure and maintaining compliance with all applicable health, environmental, safety and security laws and regulations. The following principles are the foundation of our operating philosophy:
Exemplary commitment to these principles is integral to our success. Above all, we strive to improve HES&S performance through dedicated leadership and the involvement and accountability of all employees and contractors.
OxyChem is committed to high ethical standards and the protection of health, safety and the environment. Product stewardship is one of the cornerstones of OxyChem's business, and the company's rigorous programs have for many years helped us earn a reputation as one of the safest producers in the industry. OxyChem’s Product Stewardship systems help ensure the safe and knowledgeable use of our products throughout the world and universal compliance with product-related regulations. Product StewardshipOxyChem is a leading North American manufacturer and marketer of PVC resins, basic chemicals such as chlorine and caustic soda, and various specialty chemical products. As a manufacturer and marketer of commodity and specialty chemicals, OxyChem generally does not sell directly to end-users, but instead sells its products to other manufacturers and distributors. OxyChem complies with chemical product regulations designed to advance product safety, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pesticide product registration program and the Toxic Substances Control Act, the European Union’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) and CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) regulations, as well as many other chemical regulatory frameworks throughout the world. OxyChem also participates in voluntary initiatives, including the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care® program, which requires the implementation of the Responsible Care® Product Safety Code. Toxic Substances Control ActThe Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulates all existing and new commercial substances that may present an unreasonable health or environmental risk during manufacture, processing, import, export, use or disposal. Anyone importing or producing a new substance not on the inventory must notify EPA prior to manufacture or import. Most OxyChem products are regulated by TSCA as existing chemicals. Occasionally, a new product will be introduced and an appropriate premanufacture notice (PMN) will be submitted to the EPA. OxyChem's product stewardship initiatives, facility environmental and new chemical development personnel manage corporate compliance. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)OxyChem produces sanitizers and water treatment products, including pesticide-grade chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, sodium chlorite and ACL® chlorinated isocyanurates. These products are regulated as pesticides in the United States under FIFRA and must be registered with the EPA and state agencies. OxyChem provides comprehensive information on product pesticide applications through labels with EPA approved uses, safety data sheets (SDS), and product handbooks and bulletins. International RegulationsOxyChem monitors international regulations to ensure commercial compliance for both OxyChem and its customers. Regulations often include product notification concerning physical properties, toxicology, environmental fate, use, handling and disposal. Products sold into the European Union through Occidental Chemical Belgium BVBA, the only representative of OxyChem, are compliant with the EU REACH and CLP regulations. Safety Data SheetsOxyChem maintains a database of safety data sheets (SDS) for every product imported, exported, produced or used by OxyChem. North American SDSs are designed to meet the requirements of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard in the United States, as well as similar standards in Canada. Separate locally compliant SDSs are created for product that is exported to locations outside of the United States. SDSs are updated regularly and available to the public through our SDS Search, by request at SDS@oxy.com or by calling (972) 404-3245. Product LabelingOxyChem product labels provide accurate information on the safe handling and use of hazardous chemicals to workers and comply with applicable regulatory standards, including the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requirements in the United States and applicable local requirements outside of the United States. Product information includes hazard warnings, precautions, first aid, safe transport, storage and disposal information. Product SafetyIntegral to the product stewardship effort, OxyChem demonstrates its commitment to product safety through implementation of the Responsible Care® Product Safety Code. OxyChem has established a risk management program for products and major secondary materials manufactured by OxyChem. The risk assessment for each chemical is based on analysis of the hazard it poses and its likelihood of exposure. Using this strategy, products are evaluated and prioritized for potential adverse effects, and risk-reduction practices are implemented, such as recommending personal protective equipment and providing additional technical support to customers. OxyChem’s Product Risk Assessment ProcessOxyChem promotes the safe use and handling of its products through training and by providing information Safety Data Sheets (SDS), handbooks, videos and product technical data. As part of OxyChem's commitment to Responsible Care®, we have developed Product Stewardship Summaries for our high priority and core chemicals. The following Product Stewardship Summaries are currently available:
Questions/InformationIf you have any questions or need additional information about OxyChem's Product Stewardship programs, please contact 1-800-752-5151. |
Awards and Recognition
OxyChem’s commitment to environmental stewardship and safety are frequently reflected in the recognition earned for our success
2023 American Chemistry Council Responsible Care Awards
- 28 Energy Efficiency /Waste Minimization Awards- 5 with exceptional merit
- 19 Safety Awards
2022 American Chemistry Council Responsible Care Awards
- 19 Energy Efficiency/Waste Minimization Awards
- 18 Safety Awards
2021 American Chemistry Council Responsible Care Awards
- 13 Energy Efficiency/Waste Minimization Awards
- 18 Facility Safety Awards
2020 American Chemistry Council Responsible Care Awards
- 4 Waste Minimization Reuse and Recycling Awards
- 11 Energy Efficiency Awards
- 18 Facility Safety Awards (Excellence & Achievement)
2020 ACC Sustainability Leadership Award
- Societal Contributions through Water Mission Partnership
2020 Texas Chemistry Council Safety Awards
- Dr. Sam Mannan Award for Zero Process Safety Incidents
Caring for Texas Award Winners
- La Porte VCM Plant
- Deer Park VCM
- Deer Park PVC/KOH
- Ingleside
- Pasadena PVC Plant
- 2023 Dallas Silicates
EcoVadis
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2023 Bronze Sustainability Rating (applying different rating methodology)
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2022 Gold Sustainability Rating
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2021 Gold Sustainability Rating
- 2019 Silver Sustainability Rating
OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs
- Star Status, the highest possible rating, awarded to 17 facilities
Vinyl Institute and +Vantage Vinyl™ Awards
- 2023 Vantage Vinyl Gold
- 2023 Social Impact Sustainability Award
- 2023 Green Circle Certification for Sustainability
- 2022 Green Circle Certification for Sustainability
- 2022 Vantage Vinyl Verification -Gold
- 2021 Green Circle Certification for Sustainability
- 2021 Vantage Vinyl Verification
- 2021 Social Impact Sustainability Award
- 2020 Above & Beyond Sustainability Award
- 2019 Above & Beyond Sustainability Award
Wildlife Habitat Council
- Wildlife at Work℠ certification awarded to employees at two facilities
Rail Safety
Much of OxyChem’s products are delivered to customers via rail service. Rail safety is a top priority for OxyChem and the company is frequently recognized by the rail industry for its continuing safety achievements. These awards recognize OxyChem’s safe transportation of hazardous materials by rail.
- 2023 CSX Chemical Safety Excellence Award
- 2023 Canadian National (CN) Safe Handling Award
- 2023 Union Pacific (UP) Chemical Transportation Safety Pinnacle Award
- 2023 BNSF Railway Product Stewardship Award2
- 2022 BNSF Railway Product Stewardship Award
- 2022 CN Safe Handling Award
- 2022 CP Safe Shipper Award
- 2022 CSX Chemical Safety Excellence Award
- 2022 KCS Hazardous Material Supplier Safety Award
- 2022 NS Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award
- 2021 BNSF Railway (BNSF) Product Stewardship Award
- 2021 Canadian National Railway (CN) Safe Handling Award
- 2021 Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) Safe Shipper Award
- 2021 CSX Transportation (CSX) Chemical Safety Excellence Award
- 2021 Kansas City Southern (KCS) Hazardous Material Shipper Safety Award
- 2021 Norfolk Southern (NS) Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award
Private Carriage Safety
OxyChem’s Private Carriage fleet travels more than 2,500,000 miles annually across the U.S. delivering products to our customers and is frequently recognized for outstanding highway safety performance. In 2021, our Wichita, Kansas-based Private Carriage fleet earned several awards from the Kansas Motor Carriers Association.
- 2023 Fleet Safety Award from Louisiana Motor Transport Association
- 2023 Kansas Motor Carriers Association Safety Award for 2023
- 2020 Outstanding Highway Safety Performance Award
- 2020 Small Fleet Safety Grand Trophy for having the best overall safety record
- 2020 highway safety achievement awards for both the Private Carrier and Tank Truck divisions
Industry Engagement & Partnerships
OxyChem partners with select organizations to advance our sustainability mission. Learn more about these initiatives below and in our 2024 Sustainability Report.
American Chemistry Council
OxyChem has been a certified member of ACC for over 30 years in meeting the strict Responsible Care® guidelines. We are a four-time winner of the ACC’s top safety performance award, including the 2015 Responsible Care® Company of the Year award, in recognition of OxyChem's outstanding achievements in environmental, health, safety and security performance.
Chlorine Institute
OxyChem has been a core member of the Chlorine Institute since 1924. The Chlorine Institute supports the chlor-alkali industry in advancing the safe, secure, environmentally compatible, and sustainable production, distribution, and use of its mission chemicals. OxyChem plays a key role on all four Issue Teams that support the Chlorine Institute’s strategic plans – HES&S, Transportation, Product Stewardship and Emergency Preparedness.
Texas Chemical Council
OxyChem is a member of the Texas Chemical Council, which focuses on advancing chemicals that enhance the life of billions of people around the world. OxyChem patriciates in safety, environmental and sustainability committees to promote the positive impacts of our industry through innovation and policy. OxyChem continues to be a leader by receiving awards for our safety and environmental performance.