At KRONOS we actively manage our environmental footprint to reduce material waste and pollution in adherence with applicable laws and regulations. However, we go beyond compliance to achieve greater environmental stewardship and beneficial reuse in the areas of waste and material use. We focus on minimizing waste generation and promoting a circular economy by converting by-products to co-products via additional processing. These co-products have multiple applications including beneficial reuse and enhanced sustainability in other industries. We actively look for new and unique opportunities to promote the circular economy.
The cornerstone of our pioneering efforts is ecochem®, a division of KRONOS established nearly 50 years ago. We are extremely proud of KRONOS ecochem®, which provides significant economic and environmental benefits to the company and maximizes our stewardship through beneficial reuse of material that would otherwise be discarded as waste.
KRONOS ecochem® was the first in the industry to market and sell beneficial use iron-based co-products generated in large quantities as a result of titanium dioxide production. These salts provide a myriad of environmental benefits including water/sewage treatment, odor control, chromate reduction in cements, and agricultural uses.
KRONOS’ use of innovative upcycling to generate these products is a pioneering achievement, enabling the company to find valuable markets for these products, enhance the sustainability of our operations, and benefit both human health and the environment.
KRONOS ecochem products can be characterized by their high quality, consistent composition, and reliable availability. Our success is primarily attributable to decades of direct interaction and cooperation with both local authorities and the industries we serve. Continuous optimization of our manufacturing processes, an unwavering focus on research and development, and ongoing collaboration and dialogue with our customers ensure our continued success.
KRONOS ecochem participates in both national and international technical committees. This participation is another way in which we shape the development of new products and innovative applications for this business. KRONOS understands that promoting and contributing to circular economy is important to the long-term sustainability of our business and the communities in which we live and work.
The KRONOS ecochem business has a triple-net benefit to the environment. Its primary purpose is to minimize waste and facilitate contributions to circular economy through identification of opportunities for the beneficial reuse of KRONOS’ co-products. This beneficial reuse has a secondary benefit to the environment through use in applications like water treatment. In addition to these benefits, the division is devoted to sustainability as described in the KRONOS Ecochem Sustainability Report.
Through global alignment, we are integrating sustainability into our decision-making on energy and decarbonization projects to create a more sustainable KRONOS. We achieve this by combining our long-standing expertise and innovative attitude. We work to identify implementable projects that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improve the sustainable mix of energy, or otherwise improve efficiencies in our operations. We are actively reviewing potential new technologies that could significantly decarbonize our operations. Stay tuned as we work internally, with industry and with global participants in the pursuit of new decarbonization strategies.
KRONOS understands production of titanium dioxide is an energy-intensive process, which is why we prioritize responsible consumption and use of raw materials and resources. We have been focused on reduced energy consumption for many years. We continuously seek innovative ways to not only reduce energy consumption, but also to increase the percentage of energy purchased or generated from renewable resources.
KRONOS is focused on energy efficiency at all production locations. Four of our five production facilities maintain certifications to the ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management standard, and all locations have local energy teams in place. These teams are responsible for maintaining ISO 50001:2018 certification, performing regular review of local energy consumption, making recommendations regarding capital projects that reduce energy consumption or enhance energy efficiency, and partnering with local government authorities through grant opportunities to reduce energy consumption and associated GHG emissions. These teams are accountable for setting, and striving to meet, local energy targets.
Local energy teams report to the Global Sustainable Energy Team, which is responsible for improving consistency between locations when collecting, comparing, and analyzing energy use data. This team of experts maintains a global inventory of historical energy reduction projects, shares best practices, and evaluates opportunities throughout KRONOS.
KRONOS Cares is a growing key company initiative, formally established in 2018, to provide employees with opportunities to become more involved in their local communities. At KRONOS, we want employees to have a deep level of attachment to the causes and organizations we support. By investing and caring for our communities, we are providing lasting benefits that will continue to enhance the well-being of local stakeholders for years to come.
KRONOS Cares focuses on social responsibility by giving back through volunteerism and monetary donations. Each operating location is allocated a KRONOS Cares budget to support local efforts most important to our employees. To truly be integrated with our individual communities around the globe, we intentionally do not set specific parameters for plant budgets so that employees at each location feel empowered to get involved with local organizations that are most meaningful for them.
Our top priority in philanthropy is to connect causes to employee concerns. Our relationship with the communities where we live and operate is of utmost importance, and our employees are the voices on the ground to provide direction on the needs of the community. Therefore, we focus on strategic opportunities to give back that reflect the concerns of our employees. Each operating location maintains a KRONOS Cares committee comprised of employees passionate about giving back to the communities where they live and work.
Philanthropy has been at the heart of our company for many years. From the time KRONOS was acquired by Contran Corporation in 1986, the tone was set for social responsibility and its importance in the communities where we operate. Together with the philanthropic mission of Contran Corporation and Harold Simmons Foundation, we contribute to local charitable endeavors supporting civic affairs, education, health, social welfare and youth programs based on local employee input and sponsorships.
While the mission of KRONOS Cares is consistent globally, we encourage each location to schedule regular volunteering activities that meet the needs of their local communities.
We embrace every opportunity to bring employees together to make a brighter impact through volunteerism.
Caring goes beyond volunteerism and monetary donations. We work hand in hand with local organizations to continuously improve the communities in which we operate.
Wings for Life – Global KRONOS Cares project
On May 8, 2022, our employees all over the globe took part in the Wings for Life World Run. The concept: the race started at the exact same minute across the world. Our German employees participated at 1pm, while our US participants raced at 6am. KRONOS even had a few employees rank in the Top 10 for most kilometers.
Rock for Specials – KRONOS Cares Belgium
On June 28, 2022, the Belgian summer festival was officially kicked off with “Rock for Specials”. Rock for Specials is a festival for people with intellectual disabilities that takes place in Doornzele. At this 25th edition, 5000 individuals with disabilities and their companions were musically celebrated with a total festival experience. The two-day program of this unique festival included big names from the Belgian pop and rock scene such as Clouseau, Bart Peeters and Regi. KRONOS Europe is a proud sponsor of this festival. Nearly 20 colleagues volunteered to make this festival a success, and KRONOS Europe made a financial donation as well.
Impacting Education – KRONOS Cares Nordenham
On January 19, 2022 a group of employees from KRONOS Nordenham partnered with school management at the primary school in Blexen to promote bicycle safety. The volunteers inspected the bicycles of fourth grade students for defective lighting and made repairs as they were needed. In addition to the repairs, KRONOS Nordenham provided the children with high-visibility vests.
Racing to make a difference – KRONOS Cares Leverkusen
In July 2022, KRONOS Leverkusen participated in a half-marathon organized by Energy Supply Leverkusen. For every km run, KRONOS donated 1 €/km. After surveying the local employees, KRONOS selected the “Malteser Heart’s Wish Ambulance” in Leverkusen to be the recipient of the donations. The Malteser Heart’s Wish ambulance takes seriously ill patients to visit a place of their choice, fulfilling their last wishes. A visit to the theater, the soccer stadium, a view of the sea, or a ride to a family celebration are examples of visits a patient might choose. The services provided by Malteser in Leverkusen are free of charge for the patient and are made possible by volunteer work and donations.
Over the past five years, we have focused on creating lasting community relationships in each of the communities where we operate. These relationships have helped our locations quickly lend a hand when our communities need it most. In 2020, we had unprecedented events with coronavirus and Hurricane Laura that required our people to go above and beyond. We are proud of the progress we have made and look forward to continued improvements that will make a long-lasting impact in our communities in the years ahead.
