ABSTRACT
The products and processes of fine chemicals sector are very wide-ranging. Allied with the organic chemicals sector, it lies between petro-chemicals and pharmaceuticals in terms of the production quantities of products. The substances involved in production are extremely diverse. Many are flammable and toxic. Wastes and emissions are to all media: water, air and land. Products are differentiated on the basis of performance in use as well as composition. The customer may be the public or another firm. Technical support or product liability issues may distinguish different manufacturers. Some improvement in environmental performance can be directly attributed to particular individuals in firms. A leader of a corporation can set the agenda, targets and general direction. The company chairman prior to UK Fine Chemicals formation was responsible for establishing quantified waste reduction targets. Regulation is the primary driving force for environmental performance. If cleaner technology is to be the preferred priority, therefore, direction must be provided by the regulatory framework.
