The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) earlier this month presented GATX Corporation and eight other organizations and individuals with Responsible Care Awards for 2023.
The CIAC’s Responsible Care Program has been in place for more than 35 years; it said to bring together chemical producers and their key suppliers “to demonstrate a common commitment to continuously improve the industry’s safety, sustainability and overall performance.”
GATX specifically earned the Excellence in Partnership Award for its “significant contribution to the CIAC’s Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response (TRANSCAER) initiative, which aims to inform communities about the products being transported through their area, and what measures are in place to ensure their safe transportation,” GATX reported Oct. 28. The Chicago-based railcar lessor outfitted and donated a new safety-training railcar to TRANSCAER, which will use it to educate emergency responders throughout Canada on how to “safely manage transportation incidents involving hazardous materials,” according to GATX, which is a Responsible Care Partner in both the CIAC and the U.S.-based American Chemistry Council (ACC) programs.
The 2023 award recipients are:
- CCC Sulphur Products, Operations Award “for contributions in transportation, occupational health and safety, process safety, and/or resource conservation.”
- Inter Pipeline, Stewardship Award “for contributions in product stewardship, value chain stewardship, and/or research and development.”
- ERCO Worldwide, Accountability Award “for contributions in community engagement and/or equity, diversity and inclusion.”
- Dow Canada, OCS (Operation Clean Sweep) Company of the Year “in recognition of exemplary dedication, unwavering commitment, and outstanding leadership in the pursuit of a sustainable and environmentally responsible industry.” According to CIAC, this accolade “is a testament to the exceptional efforts and achievements of a member who has gone above and beyond in embracing our shared vision of a world with zero pellet, flake, and powder loss.”
- Dow Canada, Company of the Year Award “for organizations that have exemplified each code, as well as the codes as a whole.”
- James Brown (Dow Canada), Jean Bélanger Award, which honors individuals “who reflect Responsible Care in all aspects of their life.”
- Dr. Ronda Gras (Dow Canada), Women in Chemistry Award, which recognizes women “who are seen as leaders in the field of chemistry.”
- Inter Pipeline, Excellence in Partnership Award, which honors “implementation partners who have provided significant value to Responsible Care.”
- GATX Corporation, Excellence in Partnership Award
- Dow Canada, Plastics Contributor of the Year, which recognizes “significant contributions, demonstrated exemplary leadership, and a profound impact in the field of plastics.” This award, CIAC said, “aims to celebrate professionals who have shown exceptional dedication, innovation, and commitment to the advancement of the plastics industry.”
- Tyler Yates (GATX Corporation), President’s Award
- Dwight Este (LANXESS Canada), President’s Award
New this year were the OCS Company of the Year and Plastics Contributor of the Year awards, which CIAC said “recognize significant contributions, demonstrated exemplary leadership, and a profound impact in the field of plastics.”
“On behalf of our dedicated employees at GATX, we are very proud to receive this award from the CIAC,” said Paul Titterton, Executive Vice President and President of GATX Rail North America. “The award is a testament to the intense focus we place on safety and operational excellence, as well as to our commitment to ensuring that best safety practices are shared across North America.”
“We are so proud of our outstanding awards winners this year,” CIAC President and CEO Bob Masterson said. “They have all shown formidable effort and leadership in implementing Responsible Care over the past year.”
Separately, GATX on Oct. 22 reported its third-quarter 2024 financial results, which it said were “consistent with expectations.” Also, Paul Titterton recently spoke with Railway Age Financial Editor David Nahass about the boxcar market and his impressions of the current market and the market’s future needs.
