Canada: Bécancour
Our History | Commitment to Safety & The Environment
Our Products and Markets
At Bécancour, Arkema produces primarily 35%, 50% and 70% hydrogen peroxide solutions. Manufactured with leading-edge technology, these products are used as bleaching or antiseptic agents in a wide variety of industries such as pulp and paper, textile, food processing, mining and metallurgy, as well as the environmental sector.
In the pulp and paper industry, hydrogen peroxide acts as an effective bleaching agent. Bleached chemical pulps may reach brightness levels as high as 90-92%.
In the chemical industry, be it in organic or inorganic chemistry, hydrogen peroxide is a superior reagent for various syntheses.
In the textile industry, it is a desirable bleaching agent for natural fibers as well as synthetic fibers. Because of its compatibility with various fabric and textile dyes, it achieves a permanent whiteness without any fiber damage.
In the pharmaceutical or medical fields, it is used as a disinfectant.
In the food processing industry, it is widely used for disinfecting and cleaning. It is also used as a sterilizing agent for the aseptic filling and packaging of milk and fruit juices.
The purification of drinking water represents a promising application for hydrogen peroxide.
In the environmental sector, it is used in the desulphurization and deodorization of wastewaters as well as the decontamination of industrial effluents, soil and water.
In metallurgy, hydrogen peroxide in combination with sulfuric or hydrofluoric acid is used for stainless steel and aluminium surface finishing.
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Our History
The Bécancour plant began operations in 1986 under the ownership of Oxychem Canada, Inc., a joint venture of Air Liquide S.A. and Elf Atochem S.A. In 1992 Oxychem Canada changed its name to Chemprox Chemicals Inc.
In 1998, Elf Atochem Canada became the owner of the plant as a result of its amalgamation with Chemprox Chemicals. Elf Atochem Canada, which became Atofina Canada in June 2000, has its headquarters in Oakville, Ontario. It was a subsidiary of Atofina Chemicals, Inc., an American company headquartered in Philadelphia. On October 1, 2004, we became Arkema Canada Inc.
Since 1987, the hydrogen peroxide plant has produced an annual maximum capacity of 73,000 tons. The plant operates around the clock, 365 days a year. Arkema Canada Inc. in Becancour is the world's first manufacturer of hydrogen peroxide to be ISO 9002 registered.
In November 2003, the Bécancour facility upgraded to ISO 9001-2001 (quality) and ISO 14001-1996 (environment). In December 2003, Bécancour received re-verification of its Responsible Care® program from the Canadian Chemical Producers Association.
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Commitment to Safety and the Environment
The Bécancour plant embraces Responsible Care® initiatives and applies these principles to its activities. Developed by the Canadian Chemical Producers Association, Responsible Care® is an industry initiative designed to guide its members in a sound management of their chemicals, both in the creation and disposal.
In 1999 the Bécancour plant reached 1 million hours of work without any accidents resulting in loss of time. On February 17, 2004, the plant also celebrated 5,000 days without any accidents resulting in loss of time. Health, safety and the environment are core values for all employees.
At Arkema, we are committed to safeguarding the health and safety of our employees, our customers and the community in which we operate. With responsible action today, Arkema strives towards providing a brighter future tomorrow!
Responsible Care® is a registered trademark of the Canadian Chemical Producers Association.
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Engagement Qualité/Environnement (64KB PDF)
Responsible Care®
As a member of the Canadian Chemical Producers Association (CCPA), Arkema is committed to Responsible Care®. This program of initiatives, which has been adopted by all CCPA member companies, seeks to protect the health and safety of employees, as well as the environment and the surrounding communities. Based on six codes of good conduct, Responsible Care® strives to ensure the safe management of chemical products in every step of manufacturing, storage, handling and transport. At Arkema, we view Responsible Care® as a part of our Total Quality Management Pledge.
Community Awareness and Emergency Response
Responsible Care® is based on the right of communities to be informed of the risks and dangers to which they are exposed and to count on an emergency response program. A community awareness and emergency response program must be implemented in every facility where chemicals are handled. The code stipulates that every company must :
- Be aware of public concerns and act on them
- Warn communities of any risks and dangers from its activities
- Have its own emergency plan and make sure that it is integrated with local emergency plans
Research and Development
This code governs all technical research involving new products, processes and equipment as well as new applications for existing products. Therefore, it affects every stage of product development, from initial research to launching the product on the market.
At Bécancour, Arkema generally produces peroxide solutions, which are pure and stable and have countless uses in the industrial market. The company makes sure that any innovation applied to its processes is fully compliant with the research and development code.
Manufacturing
This code covers all manufacturing facilites, old and new, and affects every aspect of production. The code stipulates that there must be measures applied in all plants to protect employees, communities and the environment against the potentially harmful effects of manufacturing activies.
In so doing, Arkema shows its constant concern with the health and safety of everyone on our sites or in neighboring communities. Thus, to help ensure the fullest possible safety, the company has developed a health, safety and environmental guide for employees and contractors, containing a "Health Safety Environment" Charter. It has instituted effective prevention measures and makes regular inspections of all facilities.
Transportation
This code stipulates that each company must ensure that chemicals are transported with minimal risk to the public along its route and also by those assigned to the transport of the products and to the environment. Arkema has implemented measures to ensure that its products are transported as safely as possible.
Distribution
The distribution code governs activities related to the sale of chemicals and services and defines the standards, methods and type of training applicable to the safe storage and handling of chemicals. Compliance with the distribution code is ensured by constant monitoring. This means that if a supplier or a distributor fails to respect the code, their services are no longer used. Arkema strives to make sure that its products are distributed safely and responsibly.
Hazardous Waste Management
The hazardous waste management code covers all aspects of this subject, including storage, transport, processing, disposal and destruction. The code encourages member companies to find ways to reduce, reuse, recycle or recover hazardous products before considering their disposal. Aware of the importance of environmental issues for all communities, Arkema believes it is essential to pursue the goal of continuous improvement in the responsible management of its products.
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ISO Certification
Arkema Canada Inc. in Bécancour was the world’s first manufacturer of hydrogen peroxide to be ISO 9002 registered.
At the Arkema Canada Inc. Bécancour plant, our objectives are to continually improve and excel in the production of hydrogen peroxide in order to surpass our customers' expectations.
To successfully operate under ISO 9002 norms and to take full advantage of our systems analysis, we intend to:
Promote our Quality Assurance program and continually improve our procedures
Reinforce the commitment of our personnel to the planning, organization and control of our activities
Operate in unison with our customers while continually being attentive to and even anticipating their future needs
Guarantee long-term relationships with our suppliers while clearly and firmly stating our requirements
Research all human and material methods to improve the quality of our products and benefits
Evaluate the causes of all malfunctions in order to establish preventive measures and thereby avoid their repetition
Stimulate our partners with regular evaluations of their progress and emphasizing the good results
Successfully provide an environment that continually promotes improvement
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Meet the Plant Manager - Yves Hamelin
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"My job has a tremendous amount of variety -- technical, production, maintenance, safety, and budget control -- it's a real balancing act. And although we're in an industrial park, we keep in close contact with the community - even holding special meetings with them every year. In my off time, I enjoy hanging out around the pool and having some BBQ - plus I try to keep active with golf, hockey, softball and roller blading." |
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