The Solvay Group holds the conviction that good corporate citizenship is the key to sustainable growth, and constantly searches for responses to the community's essential needs. Development is "sustainable" when it does not jeopardize the ability of future generations to satisfy their own needs. The concept involves reconciling the utilization of resources, technical progress and consumption practices.

Sustainable development means enabling people to achieve a satisfactory level of social and economic development and human and cultural fulfillment while making reasonable use of the earth's resources and preserving species and natural habitats. This implies new production methods and new consumption practices to which all of us should adapt our everyday behavior. This voluntary commitment to progress for sustainable development is expressed in concrete terms through the implementation of a "Responsible Care®" policy in every country in which the Group has a presence.

The Responsible Care® initiative is a plan aimed at improving the management of chemicals by chemical manufacturers, distributors, transporters and customers. It involves extensive interaction with the public, and provides a framework for the chemical industry's methods of operation. Since its adoption, the Responsible Care® Codes of Management Practice have been the road map Solvay companies have used to assess their operations and make necessary improvements in health, safety and environmental performance.

As a member of the American Chemistry Council, Solvay North America is committed to Responsible Care® and will continue to emphasize responsible chemical management through leadership and participation in the program. Solvay Chemicals further supports the National Association of Chemical Distributors and its code of Responsible Distribution Practices. Solvay Chemicals is also active in its local communities, and a good example of this is Green River, Wyoming. At that location, Solvay Chemicals maintains an ongoing interaction with the public through its involvement with the Southwest Wyoming Mutual Aid Association, as well as through its sponsorship of training sessions with the Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Sweetwater County Emergency Management Committee for fire fighters and local mine rescue teams.