Valtris Specialty Chemicals is a leading provider of specialty chemicals and intermediates. We serve customers in a wide range of markets such as building and construction, packaging, consumer goods, transportation, oilfield additives, flavour and fragrance, agriculture, pharmaceutical and medical. Headquartered in Independence, Ohio, Valtris operates nine manufacturing facilities on three continents with a global network of sales offices, distributors and agents selling our products to a global customer base.
This Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking statement is made on behalf of the Valtris Specialty Chemicals group of companies worldwide.
Slavery is a crime and a gross violation of fundamental human rights. Valtris adopts a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and we are fully committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our company activities. We recognize our responsibility to ensure as far as possible that we conduct business with companies who adhere to the highest ethical standards and who do not use illegal / abusive practices, or enforced / child labour. As a minimum standard, Valtris expects our business partners to adhere to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. This is captured in “The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact,” a copy of which is also available on our website.
The majority of Valtris’ activity is carried out in the United States and Europe, which are considered low risk in relation to modern slavery in our industry. Nevertheless, we recognise our responsibility to alert relevant staff to the risks of slavery across the wider supply chain. Those employees are expected and encouraged to report concerns to management, who will then act upon them.
Valtris works closely with its key suppliers and customers, building strong relationships to understand their operations, business ethics and the commercial aspects of their businesses. Where we purchase goods from businesses in high risk regions of the world, we will initiate targeted requests to obtain assurances that their practices meet the required standards and carry out selective audits to ensure compliance. We will work with industry organisations to identify major risks and good industry practices.
To demonstrate our commitment, Valtris operates to a code of business ethics which is laid out in our Business Principles policy.
At our worldwide production facilities and sales offices, Valtris abides by the local employment laws and practices. We seek to provide a safe, healthy and desirable workplace with working conditions and payment of wages and benefits that meet or exceed the minimum standards required of local laws and regulation. Our employees are recruited, selected, and promoted based on objective and non-discriminatory criteria. No harassment or discrimination of any kind is tolerated. In the case of disability or chronic illness, employees are supported to work for as long as medically fit, in available work with appropriate adaptations.
In 2018, Valtris acquired new businesses in Europe, which necessitated a review of risks in new supply chains. As these businesses were acquired from a large, reputable, multinational chemical producer with strong policies on businesses ethics and anti-slavery, these risks were considered low.
We will continue to monitor our supply chains in all our businesses for risks of slavery and human trafficking.
To maintain awareness and ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking across our businesses, we train relevant members of staff in our Business Principles policy. The policy is regularly reviewed with our employees who have responsibility for business contacts with customers and suppliers.
Our business principles policy is visible to all our employees.
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes Valtris Specialty Chemicals slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending December 2018, having been approved by the Board of Directors.
Signed for and on behalf of Valtris Specialty Chemicals . . . . . . . . .
Simon Medley
CEO Valtris Specialty Chemicals