ABSTRACT
Zeneca's activities are based on bioscience and involve the creation of mainly high-value biologically active chemicals. Zeneca's concern for safety, health and environment extends to its products and their use by customers. The main sponsor of the 'Cost of Waste' initiative has been the Agrochemicals Business which has its two main manufacturing sites in the UK at Grangemouth and Huddersfield. Zeneca Agrochemicals accounts for approximately one-third of Zeneca's turnover. Huddersfield Works occupies a 100-hectare site and employs around 1,100 production and support staff. Tightening environmental legislation is increasing the costs of dealing with the wastes. The data to analyse the materials costs of the pilot product were taken from process mass balances—which was helped by the installation of a new effluent-monitoring database—and the product cost sheets. The nature of Zeneca's processes means that it generates large quantities of wastes, some of which are hazardous.
