Glossary
Carbon dioxide (CO2)CO2 is formed in all carbon combustion processes. The gas is released in substantial amounts when petroleum products are used. It is likely that atmospheric emissions of carbon dioxide increase global warming.
Code of Conduct
Behavior code for Trelleborg’s employees. Supplemented by policies relating to the environment, workplaces and relations with suppliers.
Environmental aspects
The parts of an organization’s activities, products or services that interact with the environment. An overview of the Trelleborg Group’s significant environmental aspects is included in the “Environment” section.
Environmental management system
The part of the overall management system that includes the organizational structure, planning, activities, division of responsibility, practices, procedures and resources for developing, implementing, performing, reviewing and maintaining the organization’s environmental policy. ISO 14001 is used as the environmental management standard within the Trelleborg Group.
Environment-related reservesReserves for liabilities and provisions for known assumptions and necessary measures for preventing, reducing and repairing damage to the environment associated with the normal operations.
ETRMAEuropean Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association. Trelleborg participates, among other areas, in environment work and the activities of the Work Environment Committee. The Association’s website is
www.etrma.org.
GWh
Gigawatt-hour, 1 billion watt-hours. Unit for measuring energy consumption.
HA oils
Softeners containing a high concentration (>3%) of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Also known as high-aromatic oils.
Hazardous waste
Waste requiring special handling. Different countries have different definitions and regulations, and national standards are frequently changed, making it more difficult to report on hazardous waste. Within the EU, hazardous waste is classified in accordance with the European Waste Code (EWC).
ISO 14000A series of international standards for environmental management systems (ISO 14001), life-cycle assessments, environmental audits, environmental labeling, environmental-performance evaluation and environment-related terms and definitions. Many plants within the Trelleborg Group are certified in accordance with ISO 14001. Read more about ISO 14001 at
www.iso.org.
LCA (Life-Cycle Assessment)A management tool for assessing and quantifying the total environmental impact of products and activities over their entire lifetime, based on an analysis of the entire life cycle of a particular material, process, product, technology, service or activity. LCA methodology is described in the ISO 14040 standard.
NOX (nitrogen oxides)
Gaseous oxides formed during combustion processes through the oxidation of nitrogen. Harmful to human health and the environment. Causes acid rain and eutrophication.
PAHsPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Some are carcinogenic. PAHs are released to the atmosphere from vehicle exhaust fumes and small-scale wood-fueled heating, and in conjunction with vulcanization processes in the rubber industry. PAHs also occur in extremely low concentrations as a result of bitumen use within Trelleborg Engineered Systems.
PolyurethaneGroup of polymers with structures linked by urethane bridges. At Trelleborg, polyurethane is used for O-Rings and solid tires. Various diisocyanates, such as TDI and MDI, are used in the production of polyurethane.
PTFE
Polytetrafluoroethylene is a heat-tolerant polymer used in the production of O-Rings at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions. The polymer is best-known in everyday life as Teflon, used for example as a surface coating for irons.
SO2 (sulfur dioxide)Sulfur dioxide is formed when petroleum products are burned. SO2 contributes to the acidification of lakes, watercourses and soils, and causes coniferous trees to lose their needles. Large concentrations in the environment are harmful to human health.
Sustainability-related expensesThese are costs related to measures for preventing, reducing or repairing environmental damage directly associated with operations. The corresponding measures taken with regard to health and safety in the workplace are also included. The costs reported include, among other items, administration and consulting expenses, fees to authorities, costs for introducing and maintaining environmental management systems, and charges for external inspections and audits. Beginning with the report for 2005, activities relating to cleanup of contaminated soil are also included in this concept.
Sustainability-related expendituresThese are investments in assets designed to prevent or mitigate environmental impact and reduce resource consumption associated with normal operations. The corresponding investments made with regard to health and safety in the workplace are also included in this category. Beginning with the report for 2005, activities relating to cleanup of contaminated soil are reported not as investments but under sustainability-related costs.
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
The VOCs referred to in this report comprise nonchlorinated and chlorinated solvents. VOC emissions contribute to local atmospheric environmental effects, including the formation of ground-level ozone. Certain VOCs constitute a direct health risk.
Work-related accidentA work-related accident is a sudden event related to work that gives rise to a physical injury. A typical injury in the rubber industry is a minor cut or crushing injury. Trelleborg reports the number of workrelated injuries that give rise to at least one or more days of absence (Lost Work Cases; LWC). The injury rate is then standardized by stating the number of such injuries per 1,000 employees (LWC/1,000).
Work-related illnessA work-related illness is an illness caused by longterm exposure to a particular factor in the work environment. Such factors can include repetitive lifting or being exposed every day to solvent fumes.