Indian Rayon environment report

Indian Rayon is a member of the Global Compact, an international forum that operates under the aegis of the United Nations. The forum's vision is to usher in a "more sustainable and global economy." There are 10 basic principles outlined in its charter and the following pages highlight the thinking and initiatives of the company in those areas.

Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights
Indian Rayon ascribes to the human rights policy of the United Nations and Global Compact. It has a comprehensive policy and a code of conduct which is binding on all employees who must sign it on their induction in to the company. It protects the interests of the employee and other stakeholders. "Integrity, trust, fairness and honesty are the basics that guide our strategies, our behaviour and the relationships we build with people, both internally and externally. Each of us will exercise the highest level of ethical and professional behaviour," states the policy.

Businesses should make sure that they are not complicit in human right abuses
The company endeavours to uphold the human rights outlined in the Global Compact. Not only in terms of its employees, as detailed above, but also for others such as customers and business associates. Here is what the policy states: "We are committed to our customers, to fulfilling their present needs and anticipating their unmet needs. We are dedicated to continually improving quality, usefulness and value of our products and services that help our customers enhance their performance. We provide value for customers through creativity, innovation, productive relationships, quick response and simplicity in all that we engage in."

Going beyond business, the company is engaged in community work, concentrating largely in the rural areas close to its manufacturing plants. The areas of foci are sustainable livelihood, watershed development, health care, education and infrastructural facilities. The company treats its social projects with the same seriousness as its business projects. CSR is very much on the radar of the top management. The company has a one- year plan, three-year rolling plan with milestones and measurement mechanisms.

In our own small way, we are endeavouring to build a better, sustainable way of life for the weaker sections of the society. In doing so, our endeavour is also to raise our country's human development index.

Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining
Our manufacturing locations have workers in the unionised cadre. Long term settlements are signed with the workers at regular frequency wherein the management and union leaders sit across the table and negotiate the terms of the settlement. The process is peaceful and productive across all locations.

Being essentially a meritocracy and a peoples' organisation, our attention in the people area remains unwavering. We are enhancing the quality and the pace of the institutionalisation of our systems and processes. These now embrace the entire life cycle of the employee's engagement with the organisation. Several new initiatives have been taken towards the well being of our employees, particularly in the area of healthcare, education of their children and other critical aspects. We have cordial relations with our shopfloor colleagues, creating a work place environment that nurtures innovation and encourages people to constantly learn and grow.

The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor
People are keen to associate with Indian Rayon out of their own volition. The terms and conditions are explained in detail openly before the appointment is formalised.

The effective abolition of child labour
Indian Rayon does not employ child labourers.

Eliminate discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
We are an equal opportunities employer. Our policy states: "We respect the individual rights and dignity of all people. We believe in the inherent potential of employees and are fully committed to people development processes in our company in a fair, equitable and transparent manner. We encourage employees to grow professionally and personally to their highest capabilities regardless of nationality, caste, religion, colour or sex.

Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges
Our environment policy clearly states: "We are committed to sustainable development and to the health and safety our employees and the environment surrounding our plants. To building eco-efficiency in all of our operations and to guarding natural resources.

We are committed to going beyond stipulated requirements and ensure energy conservation and productive recycling of waste."

Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility
We relentlessly pursue the development of cleaner production processes that inherently reduce pollution levels and require fewer resources. To help us gauge and benchmark our environment management systems, we engage external parties in environmental auditing, such as KPMG Peat Marwick and the State Pollution Control Board certified auditors. Trained environmental systems auditors also run regular checks. These reports validate our commitment to environmental protection.

Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies
Automated industrial effluent treatment plants are in operation at our units. The quality of effluents, water and air emissions is tested and monitored on an ongoing basis. Effluent is also treated, re-cycled and used in factory processes or towards horticulture. In view of the acute drought and severe water shortage in the country, at many of the places where our plants are located, we have begun unique rainwater harvesting projects.

In the last fiscal 2004-05, Indian Rayon has won the following major awards:

• Greentech Environment Excellence Gold Award for Outstanding Achievement in Environment Management for the Carbon Black division.
• The CII Energy Efficient Award and Greentech Silver Award for Safety and Environmental Excellence for the Caustic Soda Plant at Veraval