Lyondell is among the leaders in the chemical industry for environmentally sound and responsible operations.
At Lyondell, we are committed to maintaining compliance with all regulations and to maintain safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible plant operations.
We have invested millions of dollars to develop technologies and implement projects that reduce waste and emissions as well as increase efficiency and plant reliability. As a result, emissions from many of our facilities worldwide are declining significantly.
We recognize that we must continue to improve in order to meet our ultimate goal of preventing pollution at the source by designing plants that generate as little waste and emissions as possible, and by operating them responsibly.
Over the past six years, we have made significant environmental expenditures at our facilities around Houston, Texas, as we participated in an initiative to reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in order to achieve a regional standard for ozone. Additionally, we have invested in new technology such as infrared cameras to assist in the detection of fugitive emissions, leaks in pipes connections and seals that are difficult to detect. Lyondell facilities began using infrared cameras in 2005 even though this technology is not yet required by state or federal regulatory agencies.
Through Operational Excellence, we have established standards for environmental management systems. We focus our efforts on enhancing our reliability program and on being responsive to our communities. Our plants continue to progress toward meeting those standards. Each year, we establish new targets to ensure continued progress.