The venture also serves as sales agent for the licensing of Union Carbide's Unipol process technology for making polypropylene. There are currently 80 Unipol licensees who, together with Union Carbide's own facilities, account for more than 25 percent of the world's production capacity for low-pressure polyethylene, and some 10 percent of polypropylene output. It is also the ethical framework around which member companies of the American Chemistry Council operate, representing their commitment to respond to public concerns about the safe management of chemicals. Driving the initiative are six management codes that encompass more than 100 practices. These codes set performance objectives that encourage commitment, innovation and continuous improvement.
Individual codes identify elements of good management practice.
Collectively, they focus on improving performance across all stages of a chemical's life, from research and design through manufacture, use, recycle and disposal. The codes also address employee health and safety and community awareness and emergency response. In the U.S. Union Carbide successfully implemented all the management codes of the Responsible Care initiative in 1996, three years ahead of the target set by the American Chemistry Council. The company met this target worldwide in 1998. The company will continue to be a leader within the chemical industry in operational safety performance and in avoidance of injuries, illnesses, accidental releases and incidents.