Trinseo's Tessenderlo, Belgium, site earns Operation Clean Sweep certification; program focuses on minimizing plastic resin loss throughout the plastics value chain to prevent plastics entering waterways

Trinseo's Tessenderlo, Belgium site has achieved the company's first-ever Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) certification. This is a significant achievement in the company's ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and in achieving our Sustainability Goal regarding Operation Clean Sweep.

Operation Clean Sweep is a voluntary industry program focused on minimizing plastic resin loss throughout the plastics value chain. By implementing best practices for handling, storing, and transporting plastic pellets, OCS helps prevent them from entering our waterways and harming wildlife.

Earning this certification reflects our dedication to responsible operations and a cleaner future," says Steven De Geeter, Site & Production Leader at Tessenderlo. "This achievement aligns perfectly with our sustainability goals, and we commend the tireless efforts of our team in achieving OCS compliance."

Trinseo has been proud member and signatory of OCS and its "Pledge to Prevent Resin Pellet Loss," since 2014. In 2022, OCS was added as a mandatory standard to the Trinseo Integrated Management System (TIMS). The following year, the majority of Trinseo OCS facilities (13) had implemented OCS and reached level four in the OCS program.

Our European sites are required to take our OCS journey a step farther by obtaining OCS certification this year. OCS and its certification standard are a joint initiative of EuPC, the association of European Plastics Converters, and Plastics Europe, the association of plastics manufacturers in Europe. The OCS certification standard was launched in 2023, with the first audits starting last year. Numerous industry experts, trade associations, NGOs, policy makers and certification bodies contributed to its development. Tessenderlo is the first of our European facilities to achieve this milestone.

"Obtaining OCS certification required a company-wide effort," says Peter Drijvers, Responsible Care Leader at the certified Tessenderlo facility. "We're incredibly proud of the dedication and teamwork that went into achieving this milestone. This certification motivates us to continuously improve our OCS practices and minimize our environmental impact."

The journey to OCS certification involved a rigorous audit process conducted by SGS, the world's leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company. SGS assessors meticulously evaluated our facility's OCS implementation, including:

• Management commitment: Verifying leadership buy-in and a documented OCS policy.
• Employee training: Ensuring all personnel are trained on proper pellet handling procedures.
• Infrastructure and controls: Inspecting containment measures, spill prevention protocols, and housekeeping practices.
• Record keeping: Confirming accurate documentation of pellet loss incidents and corrective actions.

"This first OCS certification marks a significant step forward in Trinseo's sustainability journey. We remain committed to responsible plastic handling, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement towards a cleaner future" Teresa Wlodarska, Global EHS Improvement Leader. Congratulations to our Tessenderlo colleagues for this pivotal achievement.