China's petrochemical industry is strengthening efforts to promote safe and clean practices in the manufacturing, distribution and use of its products.

In order to guarantee sustainable economic development and improve the industry's image, the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association (CPCIA) is determined to increase awareness among petrochemical companies and the public of health and safety issues, as well as the environmental quality of petrochemical products.

The industry has grown rapidly in recent years, and has been a major contributor to China's economic development.

According to statistics from the CPCIA, a 10 to 15 percent increase in the production value of petrochemical products is expected in 2005, against the country's estimated 9 percent GDP growth.

As a major energy consumer, however, the industry's unprecedented expansion has resulted in tightening energy supplies and poses a threat to the environment, experts say.

Also at risk are residents in areas surrounding petrochemical plants as spills or leaks can cause great harm.

As part of the association's sustained efforts to show the sector in a favorable light, it plans to introduce the "Responsible Care" system.

It will join with the Association of International Chemical Manufacturers (AICM) to run the First Responsible Care Conference in China on June 14-16 this year.

The "Responsible Care" system is the chemical industry's commitment to the improvement of health, safety and the environment, according to Qu Wenchao from Dow Chemical.

AICM represents 41 transnational petrochemical companies with operations in China, including Dow Chemical, BASF Chemical and ExxonMobile Chemical, said Ma Yibing, chief representative of AICM.

Most foreign chemical companies have adopted the system, said Qu.

"It is a voluntary measure for chemical companies to assess their health, safety and environmental quality performance in industrial development," said Qu.

Few of China's local chemical companies have joined the program, said Zhou Xianhui, director of CPCIA's environmental protection office.

Yao Enlin, senior engineer of China Chlor-Alkali Industry Association, said local chemical companies have taken on board some of the system's ideals, but not in a systematic way.

"For example, some local companies are focusing on environmental protection in their production," Yao said.

Sinopec started the Health, Safety, and Environment program in 2001, and have invested heavily in it, according to a Sinopec official. But Sinopec would not comment on the Responsible Care system, saying they know little about it.

Obstacles to the implementation of the new system lie in the lack of awareness among the management of local chemical companies - especially small and medium-sized companies, according to Qu, who is also an organizer of the upcoming "Responsible Care" conference.

"The companies' top echelons have to make concrete plans to carry out the system, which also needs technical expertise and investment," said Qu.

Promotion of the new system will hopefully start with China's large petrochemical companies, such as Sinopec and PetroChina, according to industry association sources.

Foreign chemical companies such as BASF and Dow Chemical will aid the local companies in technology and training.

The project organizers also expect support from the government.

"We also invite government officials to participate in the program, hoping there will be incentive policies or regulations to promote the system," said CPCIA's Zhou.

(China Daily February 1, 2005)