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12 February, 2007
A study by the Belgian ethical research organisation, Ethibel, of nine North American chemical companies found that DuPont, Dow Chemical, and Monsanto fell far short of a threshold for final analysis because, among other reasons, of the companies labour practices. Ethibel researched various environmental and sustainability criteria in making the study, including the genetic manufacture of agriculture seeds.
DuPont received contrasting commentary on its environmental and sustainable practices. On the one hand, the company received high marks for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and for producing energy-efficient, next-generation products and technology. But DuPont also scored highest among 2006 air polluters, according to the US-based Political Economy Research Institute’s (PERI) Toxis 100 list.
The study also showed DuPont as having a “major involvement in hazardous chemicals, as well as minor involvement in animal testing and armament.” The study also cited DuPont’s “stout anti-union reputation.”
Dow Chemical, Ethibel claims in its research, “is involved in several disputable practices, union-busting, suing critics, and various environmental air and water pollution cases. In 2006, Dow ranked 11th on PERI’s Toxis 100 air pollution list. Monsanto ranked 69.
The labour and environmental shortcomings meant the three companies fell short of eligibility for Ethibel’s Excellence Register, or Ethibel’s Pioneer Register.
The companies examined by Ethibel, besides DuPont, Dow, and Monsanto, included Air Products and Chemicals, Praxair, Rohm and Haas, PPG Industries, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, and Ecolab. Only Air Products and Chemicals, Praxair, Rohm and Haas, and Potash Corporation were found to be eligible for the Ethibel Excellence Register.