2015 AICM Responsible Care Award Ceremony and Closing Ceremony of Open-to-Public Day Event Held in Beijing

June 9, 2015, Beijing – The Association of International Chemical Manufacturers (AICM) today held its 2015 Responsible Care Award Ceremony and Closing Ceremony of Open-to-Public Day Event at the Kempinski Hotel Beijing, Lufthansa Center. At the event, themed “Chemistry - A Way to Better Life,” AICM together with its members promoted "Responsible Care" in China and conveyed a positive image of the chemical industry to the public through a panel discussion, casestudy presentations, media sessions, and other related activities. As the representative of leading international chemical companies in China, AICM is committed to promoting the sustainable growth of China’s chemical industry and contributing to the development of a harmonious society and a “green and beautiful” China.

Hornorable guests present at the ceremony included Dr. Hans Korte, Chairman of Responsible Care Leadership Group (RCLG) under the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), Dr. Alasdair Jelfs, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AICM and Managing Director of Merck Chemicals (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., and Zhou Zhuye, Vice President of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF). In addition, around 100 guests attended the ceremony, including senior management of nearly 30 member companies and media representatives.

Mr. Zhou zhuye, vice president of China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association, gave a speech on opening ceremony

Speaking at the event, Dr. Jelfs stressed that AICM members in China are committed to the promotion and practice of "Responsible Care," a self-disciplined initiative of the global chemical industry devoted to continuous improvement in health, safety and environmental performance. The introduction of "Responsible Care" has played a positive role in improving stakeholder communications, and promoting a more positive image of international chemical enterprises in China.

The first “Responsible Care” Award Ceremony in China was held by AICM in March 2013, with 18 members receiving awards. The Award recognises outstanding performance in the practice of “Responsible Care” and promotion of sustainable growth of the industry. This year, the "Chairman Award in Responsible Care" was awarded to 10 members, including Bayer, BASF, Celanese, Clariant, Dow, Dow Corning, DSM, ExxonMobil, Merck and Wacker. In addition, the "Merit Award" was presented to 12 members, Arkema, AkzoNobel, Cabot, Chemtura, Eastman, Lanxess, Lubrizol, Mitsubishi Chemical, Mitsui Chemicals, Solvay, SABIC and Topsafe Petrochemicals.

Enhancing public awareness and the positive contribution of the chemical industry is an essential part of "Responsible Care." In 2015, 24 AICM member companies organised Open-to-Public Day events across around 40 plant locations including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Jiangsu, and Shandong. The Open-to-Public Days facilitate direct communications with local communities and featured a variety of demonstrations to more than 4,000 community stakeholders from residents, students, family members to local governments and media. They also help to demonstrate that modern chemical manufacturers operate in a responsible, environmental-friendly and sustainable manner, and additionally presented examples of the important contribution chemical products make to everyday life.

The 2015 Open-to-Public Day programme was AICM’s largest to date – and a significant increase on 2014 when 17 member companies held the Open-to-Public Day events. At the Responsible Care Award Ceremony, a panel discussion involving more than 15 senior representatives addressed a number of key challenges and issues faced by the domestic chemical industry including: how international enterprises can help the domestic industry to promote "Responsible Care”, creating a green environmental image; sharing best practices for "Responsible Care", and how chemical companies can help faciliate China's continuing economic transformation.

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About AICM

The Association of International Chemical Manufacturers (AICM) was founded in 1988, represents nearly 70 major international companies in the chemical industry of China, whose members’ businesses cover manufacture, transportation, distribution and disposal of chemicals. 5 of AICM members ranked World Top 10 Enterprises and 28 members stood among World Top 50 Chemical Enterprises. 31 members signed Responsible Care Global Charter initiated by ICCA. Over years of development, AICM and its members developed a shared vision: to contribute to the development of a harmonious society and the sustainable growth of China’s chemical industry, and as the representation of the leading international chemical players in China, AICM commits to promote Responsible Care and other globally recognized chemical management principles among all the stakeholders, advocate cost-effective, science- and risk-based policies to the policy makers, as well as build up the contributive role of the chemical industry to the economy.