BASF's joint eco-efficiency project with UNIDO and UNEP
As part of a joint project with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), we are helping textile dye companies in Africa to work more efficiently and at the same time in a more environmentally friendly manner. BASF developed a software package, which enables small and medium-sized enterprises to analyze their work processes and identify areas for improvement.
Awards
The Federation of German Industries (BDI) has awarded BASF with the 2006 Environment Price in the category "Technology transfer to developing countries."
In February 2002, BASF, UNIDO and UNEP agreed to help get eco-efficiency applied in developing and emerging countries. In Morocco and Egypt, dye works play a vital role - many people find work at numerous SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). In order to remain competitive in an environmental sound and economically viable manner, it is imperative for companies to adapt and modernize their production systems continuously. Above all, this requires methods to analyze the economic and environmental aspects of production processes at the highest international standard. However, for SMEs, it is difficult to obtain and apply these technologies and methods.
Greater competitiveness thanks to eco-efficiency analysis
Together with its partners, BASF has developed a software package that uses key technical data to calculate how the eco-efficiency of various stages in the production process can be improved. In collaboration with staff from the National Cleaner Production Centres, companies can use this software to calculate and compare the costs and environmental impact of their processes. Process improvements have already been achieved in the pilot phase of the project in Morocco. In September 2002, the two U.N. organizations and BASF jointly presented the project on the official agenda of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.
The way forward
In 2003 and 2004 BASF trained UNIDO staff in Ludwigshafen over several weeks to use the eco-efficiency analysis. At a workshop in Casablanca (Morocco) in December 2004 participants out of five different African National Cleaner Production Centres learned how to apply eco-efficiency analysis. Together they discussed the potential of the decision-making tool using specific examples from plant practice. They will make their know-how widely available in the future and provide expert advice to textile companies in their home countries.
In February 2006, at a workshop in Cairo, 40 participants from textile finishers and processors learned how to apply BASF´s eco-efficiency analysis. The workshop offered the participants the opportunity to establish contact with European brand manufactures and dealers. This helps the Egyptian textile manufacturers to meet the demands of the global market, while at the same time keeping the environmental impact to a minimum.
