Brainerd Champions More Responsible Global Chemical Distribution

Hague, Netherlands // August 26, 2024 // Momentum is gaining as the International Chemical Trade Association (ICTA) plans to launch a Global Responsible Distribution program by the end of 2024 enhancing safety across worldwide chemical supply chains.

The ITCA Global Responsible Distribution program draws inspiration from the ACD Responsible Distribution program developed in the United States by the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD).  The ICTA’s intention is to provide a responsible distribution program in countries where no such industry organization exists. The global program is built on 10 guiding principles and requirements for site sampling and mandatory third-party verification.

Mat Brainerd, President of the ICTA and Chairman of Brainerd Chemical Company, champions positive change from within the chemical industry and was proud to explain, “I’m very proud of the companies that have gotten behind this. It takes a lot of support, both from a financial and human resource perspective, to stand up a robust Responsible Distribution program in all corners of the world. This is a big deal and one that no one else has ever tried before. People need to know it is not chatter anymore; we’re finally doing it.”

Key Elements of Global Responsible Distribution

  • Developed by, and designed especially for, the chemical distribution industry.
  • Mandatory third-party verification.
  • Includes third-party warehouses.
  • Risk-based approach to limit sites to be verified. Incorporates safety, security, and health (SSH) as well as environment, social, and governance (ESG).
  • Differentiates between gold, silver, and bronze.
  • Globally harmonized.
  • No commercial set-up (lower fees, security of data).

The ITCA’s Responsible Distribution program has the potential to drive the chemical industry toward a unified commitment to continuous improvement, setting the highest standards for supply chain safety and promoting sustainable practices worldwide. Through this initiative, supply chain partners across the globe can align their efforts to achieve a safer, more sustainable future for the industry.

About Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the largest independent suppliers of chemicals and related services in the continental United States. They specialize in manufacturing, blending, packaging, and distributing chemical products across a diverse range of industrial sectors.

Media Inquiries:

Brainerd Chemical Company:  1+ (918) 622-1214

SOURCE: Brainerd Chemical Company, International Chemical Trade Association (ICTA), the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD).

Safety First

Tuttle, OK // June 12, 2024 // Brainerd Chemical Company proactively works to ensure swift emergency response and containment by engaging with local area first responders and emergency management planners to develop relationships, improve communication and amplify first responder facility layout knowledge.

Brainerd Chemicals’ Tuttle facility supplies energy producers and the food safety industry with the chemical products and guidance they need for more efficient, effective, and environmentally responsible operations.

Every Brainerd employee is expected to promote a culture of safety by continuously striving for the safest way forward. And every employee is empowered to stop, review, and improve any process they feel can be made safer. It’s an approach that helps our team foster a positive, healthier environment for our staff, customers, and the communities we live and work in.

Brainerd Chemical strives for open, transparent, and frequent communication with the local, state, and federal organizations taking a proactive approach to responsible operations. “Safety is at the forefront of everything we do,” says Garrett Woodson, Operations/Logistics Manager.

Garrett and his team regularly host a two-hour facility tour and lunch meetings with local emergency management teams. The process helps build invaluable relationships, accelerate communication, and provide first responders with the critical on-site familiarization they need to expedite response times, reduce human risks and help minimize potential environmental damage in the event of an emergency.

Jessica Lane, reporter for the Chickahsa Express-Star learned a lot when she joined the Grady County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for a facility tour. All operations are shut down during the tour, ensuring a safe and comprehensive learning opportunity.

Lane noted that Brainerd Chemical Company has a unique “constant visual” of safe operations. Safety features are engineered into every square foot in the facility such as the sloped floors nearly everywhere the LEPC group walked. Woodson explained that keeping all chemicals off the ground is a priority. Although barely perceptible if not pointed out, sloped floors direct any spilled material towards a retention area where they can be safely remediated.

Overhead, the Brainerd facility has specialized, explosion-proof lighting, as well as highly sensitive sensors able to detect chemical leaks and prevent potential emergencies before they happen. Should a situation occur, a fire suppression system is in place able to provide 21 minutes of continuous flow to quickly knock-down flames.

Integrated physical safety systems are only as effective as the people and culture behind them. At Brainerd, every employee is expected to focus on safety and improve any process in pursuit of a healthier environment for staff, customers, and the neighboring communities.

About Brainerd Chemical Company:

Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the largest independent suppliers of chemicals and related services in the continental United States, manufacturing, blending, packaging and distributing chemical products to a wide variety of industrial sectors.

Media Inquiries:

Brainerd Chemical Company:  1+ (918) 622-1214

SOURCE:

Brainerd Chemical Company, Chickasha Express News, Grady County LEPC & City of Tuttle Fire Department

Brainerd Chemical Shares Expertise with Senator Inhofe’s Team

Tulsa, OK // Sep 02, 2021 // Brainerd Chemical welcomes the local and Washington D.C. based teams for U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, when they stopped by to discuss CFATS, chemical safety and other policy issues which impact our industry.

Brainerd was honored to share our expertise and continue collaborating with Senator Inhofe as his team sought to better identify, assess and address potential security vulnerabilities as well as how to enhance training and response capabilities to reinforce public safety and responsible chemical manufacturing, storage and distribution.

Chairman and Owner Mat Brainerd commented, “We are honored to collaborate with Sen. Jim Inhofe, who cares deeply about our industry. Our team is eager to continue working together to reinforce safety and responsibility.”

Sen. Inhofe Tours Tuttle facility. 2019

Local and Washington D.C. bases teams tour was part of ongoing bipartisan efforts to help ensure that the Department of Homeland Security has the tools and resources it needs to keep our nation safe. CFATS is the United States first regulatory program focused specifically on chemical facility security. The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) were developed in response to the unprecedented 9/11 attacks to ensure that any facility identified as high-risk has sufficient security measures in place to reduce the risk associated with outside threats.

The Brainerd Chemical team is proud to assist our nation’s leaders pursue a safer, more secure and robust future for all Americans.

About Brainerd Chemical Company:

Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the largest independent suppliers of chemicals and related services in the continental United States, manufacturing, blending, packaging and distributing chemical products to a wide variety of industrial sectors.

Media Inquiries:

Brainerd Chemical Company:  1+ (918) 622-1214

SOURCE: Brainerd Chemical Company