For immediate release
IM sector’sinnovation and sustainability initiatives awarded at the IMA-Europe 20th Anniversary events
23-24/9/2014
On 23 and 24 September 2014, IMA-Europe handed its 2014 Recognition Awards as well as the newly launched Safety Awards at the occasion of its 20th Anniversary events, and in the presence of around 130 representatives from the global industrial minerals (IM) industry, downstream industries, EU and government officials, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
The IMA 2014 Recognition Award Ceremony which took place on 23rd September at the Gala Dinner, was presided by Mattia Pellegrini, Head of Cabinet for the European Commissioner ad interim of Industry and Enterprise. An independent jury consisting of Mattia Pellegrini, Professor Dr Karel van Acker, Senior lecturer at KU Leuven, and Griet Verhaert from the Government of Flanders, selected the winners.
The IMA-Europe 2014 Recognition Award on Innovation was attributed to the innovative project ImerPlast by Imerys - a mineral based solution which enhances the recycling rates for polymers.Mattia Pellegrini expresses the opinion of the Jury that “this project proposes a timely solution to an urgent and vast challenge”.
The IMA 2014 Recognition Award on Public Awareness, Acceptance and Trust was granted to Imerys Minerals Ltd in the UK for their project “Building Trust with Communities”. “This project clearly shows huge efforts and a strong commitment by the company for creating true partnerships with the local communities during the lifetime of a quarry”, says Mattia Pellegrini, President of the Jury.
A Special Recognition Award was handed by the IMA Europe Board to its Secretary General,Dr Michelle Wyart-Remy, for a lifelong career dedicated to the industrial minerals sector.
On 24 September, the very firstIMA Safety Awards were handed out by the Jury Members, i.e.Mark Ellis, President of IMA North America, and Kris de Meesterfrom the Belgian Employers Federation. The IMA Safety Award scheme has been launched to support the IMA Target Zero Injury Initiative, a sector-wide commitment to reach a 50% reduction in the IMA LTIFR[1] by 2016 and a further 50% reduction by 2020. The best strategies and programmes in the categories Machinery innovation, Management and Workers Involvement, Injury Prevention had been awarded to three companies.
Awards for good practices in Machinery Innovation were given to Singleton Birch Ltd, for its Caged Access Systems in Maerz Kilns and to Imerys Parkandillick Calciner for its practical solutions to improve brick manufacturing.
Sibelco Europe and its UK operations were awarded the IMA-Europe Safety Award for two categories: “Management and Workers’ Involvement”, and “Injury Prevention Programmes”. However, given a tragedy that occurred at one of its sites end of August, Sibelco decided not to accept these Awards. “We acknowledge the efforts of the teams who continuously look for improving safety at Sibelco’s workplaces, yet this tragedy reminds us that safety requires constant vigilance and that we are never free from possible errors,” expressed Mark Stulens, European Vice-President Health, Safety and Corporate Sustainability
For more information on the IMA 2014 Awards, visit the website:
Visual impressions in annex.
Press contact: Ms Amina Langedijk, Tel. 02 210 44 12,
About IMA-Europe
IMA-Europe provides sector based representation for industrial minerals, especially at EU institutional level.Under its umbrella, IMA-Europe represents the European producers of andalusite, bentonite, borates, calcium carbonate, cristobalite, diatomite, dolomite, feldspar, kaolin, kaolinitic clays, lime, mica, quarz, sepiolite, talc, vermiculite and wollastonite - i.e. around 500 mineral companies or groups, which operate more than 700 mines and quarries and 750 plants throughout Europe. Its members offer direct employment to some 42.500 people and process an annual volume of some 180 million tonnes of industrial minerals, contributing a value of around Euro 10 billion to Europe's gross domestic product.
IMA 2014 Recognition Award
Mr Calmès and Mr Papillon from Imerys Filtration and Performance Additives, proud winners of the IMA Innovation Award.
Mr Daniellou and Mrs Lister from Imerys Minerals Ltd UK proudly receive the IMA 2014 Recognition Award on Public Awareness, Acceptance and Trust.
Dr Michelle Wyart-Remy receives a Special IMA Recognition Award for her lifelong career dedicated to the industrial minerals sector.
The Award is handed by Claude Stenneler, former President of IMA-Europe, EUROTALC and EUROSIL.He has known Michelle since the creation of IMA-Europe 20 years ago.
Mr Mattia Pellegrini, Head of Cabinet of the Commissioner ad interim for Industry and Enterprise, presides the IMA-Europe 2014 Recognition Awards Ceremony at its 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner.
IMA 2014 Safety Awards
Mr Brian Griggs-Trevarthenfrom Imerys PKC is handed the IMA Safety Awardin the Category Machinery Innovation. With Mark Ellis (IMA North America) and Florence Lumen (IMA-Europe).
Mr Oliver Fisher from Singleton Birch Ltd, is handed the IMA Safety Awardin the Category Machinery Innovation. With Kris Demeester (Belgian Employers Federation) and Florence Lumen (IMA-Europe)
Industrial Minerals Association Europe aisbl, in short “IMA-Europe”
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[1] Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate.