25 July 2003
Media Statement
Nuplex Committed To Exceeding Its Environmenmtal Responsibilities
- Takes Immediate Action Over Small Fire Risk –
Statement from John Hirst, Managing Director, Nuplex Industries Limited
Parts of Nuplex’s East Tamaki dangerous goods site are being temporarily closed down by the company as a preventative
fire risk measure, while it puts in places further safety measures.
An Environment Court decision outlined a “low probability” of fire and “no certainty” of “effect on the environment” in
its interim order to shut down parts of the East Tamaki facility by Wednesday 30 July 2003.
The courts decision outlined that the potential risk of fire (which is very low) makes shutting down parts of the site
worthwhile.
Nuplex has taken immediate steps to install new state-of-the-art air monitors and a deluge system to further improve the
fire safety aspects of the site and expects completion of this part of the programme in the near future.
Although the probability of a fire occurring is very low (estimated by industry experts at one chance in ten thousand
years) Nuplex is committed to further reducing and preventing that risk where possible.
Nuplex is committed to ensuring all our sites exceed regulatory standards and environmental responsibilities and this
site plays a vital role in protecting the greater environment from inappropriate disposal of waste.
The courts decision goes against independent and expert advice.
The temporary partial shutdown will affect the oil fired boiler, the waste oil plant, the solvent recovery plant and the
ethanol plant. Nuplex is contacting a small number of affected customers directly to offer alternative arrangements
where possible and regrets the considerable inconvenience caused to these customers.
The company takes it’s safety and environmental responsibilities very seriously and has spent in excess of $200,000 on
improving and upgrading the East Tamaki site over the last year.
Nuplex committed to spend $8million in New Zealand and Australia over the last two years to upgrade facilities and
safeguards in relation to health, safety and environmental protection.
The East Tamaki site was yesterday awarded for taking every precaution to protect employees, the community and the
environment from harm by the New Zealand Chemical Industry Council.
The Prince Accreditation award recognises a commitment to superior safety, health and environmental performance,
confirms compliance and is a badge of corporate responsibility and excellence, according to the NZCIC.
The East Tamaki site has been one of Auckland’s most trusted hazardous waste sites for customers for over 40 years.
Ends.