STAMFORD, CT, Oct. 19, 2005 -- Keep America Beautiful Inc. announced Sept. 28 it had chosen Koch Industries Inc. to receive its 2005 Vision for America Award. Koch Industries, the nation's second largest private company, is being recognized for its commitment to continually improving the environmental and safety performance of its many companies and for the many conservation projects its companies do in their communities.
Active in filtration and separation technologies from water and wastewater treatment to food processing, Koch Membrane Systems Inc. (KMS) is a member company of the Koch Chemical Technology Group LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries.
The Vision for America Award will be presented at a dinner at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers in New York City on Nov. 16. David H. Koch, executive vice president of Koch Industries and president of Koch Membrane Systems will accept the award on behalf of Koch Industries' 30,000 employees worldwide.
"As a leader among private companies in the United States, Koch has built an exemplary model of corporate citizenship in the communities in which its businesses operate," said Keep America Beautiful President G. Raymond Empson. "Keep America Beautiful knows that Koch Industries' corporate environmental philosophy is based on a deeply rooted commitment to manage environment risk in complex industries, while promoting good environmental stewardship."
"Koch companies are dedicated to becoming the operator of choice in their communities," said David Koch. "We are honored to be recognized with this award that reflects the many efforts of our employees who not only drive environmental improvements at our facilities, but also participate in many projects to improve their communities. We share Keep America Beautiful's mission of personal responsibility and corporate citizenship."
Recognizing that environmental excellence is vital to economic success, Koch has taken positive strides to maintain "100% compliance, 100% of the time." Koch companies have also taken industry leadership roles by developing model programs that include setting best practices and advancing emissions-control technology. Participation in innovative clean air initiatives, like voluntary emissions-reductions programs and voluntary production of cleaner burning fuels at its Minnesota and Texas refining complexes, are helping the communities they serve meet their clean air goals.
As a result of its dedicated efforts, Koch companies have posted very positive results. Its Flint Hills Resources subsidiary was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Clean Air Award winner for its success in reducing refinery flare time by 88% since 1997. From 1999 to 2004, releases on Koch Pipeline Company L.P.-operated pipelines have been reduced by 81%.
Koch's guiding principles to add long-term value to the marketplace and society continues to have a positive impact on American communities. In 2004 and 2005, Koch's Capital River Relief events were extraordinary examples of preserving the Potomac and Anacostia rivers in our nation's capital. Named as the Good Neighbor of the Millennium in 2001, Koch Carbon employees transformed Chicago's southeast side into a cleaner, greener place. Collaboration with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is resulting in the safe development of new housing which will greatly benefit the citizens of St. Paul.
In recognition of its hard work, Koch companies have received honors from other leading organizations including Coastal Bend Bays Foundation, the Minnesota Environmental Initiative, and the National Association for Environmental Management. Additional honors, like the Industrial Pollution Control Award from the Georgia Water & Pollution Control Association this year, reflect the company's innovative, results-oriented environmental policies. Other subsidiaries, including INVISTA and Matador Cattle Company, have been recognized by the Wildlife Habitat Council for their natural resource management and wildlife habitat enhancement initiatives, among others. Most notably, eight Koch company sites have earned Voluntary Protection Program Star Status from U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the agency's top work-safety honor.
Koch companies have also been proactive leaders partnering with a variety of nonprofit organizations that improve their communities. Through partnerships with the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, YMCA and the National Conference for Communities & Justice, Koch supports programs that strengthen neighborhoods. The partnership with Living Lands and Waters has significantly enhanced the health of the Mississippi River for the benefit of communities along its shores.
Koch also recognizes the value of investing in tomorrow's leaders. Support for programs like Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas, Making a Difference for Kids and Big Brothers/Big Sisters help young people realize and achieve their potential. And, support for the Flint Hills Resources' Wildlife Learning Preserve in Texas is a testament to the company's commitment to environmental education programs.
Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. has been a global leader in separation and filtration products for more than 30 years. A designer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art membrane cartridges and elements, as well as complete membrane systems, KMS has products that treat even the most demanding applications. To enhance membrane performance, KMS offers a line of antiscalants and cleaning chemicals, and provides numerous maintenance and technical service programs. The company has supplied membranes to more than 15,000 systems used around the world, serving the food processing, life sciences, and general manufacturing industries, as well as providing potable water and wastewater treatment technologies for communities of all sizes.
With headquarters in Wilmington, Mass., Koch Membrane Systems (www.kochmembrane.com) is a member of Koch Chemical Technology Group LLC.
Koch Industries Inc. (www.kochind.com), based in Wichita, Kan., owns a diverse group of companies engaged in trading, investment and operations. These companies have a presence in about 50 countries and employ about 30,000 people in core industries such as trading, petroleum, chemicals, energy, fibers, intermediates and polymers, minerals, fertilizers, pulp and paper, chemical technology equipment, ranching, securities and finance, as well as in other ventures and investments.
Keep America Beautiful Inc. (www.kab.org), established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. With a network of nearly 1,000 affiliate and participating organizations, Keep America Beautiful forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments.
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