The importance of sustainability to Gard Chemicals
Sustainability is of paramount importance to the rail industry, and that is certainly the case for Gard Chemicals.
The family-run business has 45 years’ experience in the industrial chemical cleaning world. It formulates and supplies its own products and has its own industry-leading research and development facility where it undertakes around 75 per cent of its R&D.
Gard Chemicals has been awarded national and international accreditations for both environmental (ISO 14001) and quality (ISO 9001) management systems and standard, for the manufacture and supply of maintenance chemicals.
These accreditations have enabled the business to achieve more than 100 per cent vendor ratings from many blue chip organisations as well as gaining approvals and certificates from all major companies within both the rail and utilities sectors.
Because of this, Gard Chemicals is an approved supplier to Network Rail and more than 100 rail organisations including rolling stock leasing companies, rolling stock manufacturers, passenger and freight operators, underground infrastructure companies, principal contractors and construction companies.
Gard Chemicals manages all aspects of its activities so that it can provide a high level of protection for the environment as well as the health and safety of employees, associates, customers and the general public.
The company is committed to minimising the environmental effects of everything it produces and distributes. It says that at every stage of the process the environmental impact is assessed. Gard Chemicals also strives to use environmentally-friendly raw materials wherever possible. This is not just limited to the chemical products themselves but even the packaging the products are delivered or stored in. There is also a recognition that the UK is not as advanced in sustainable methods as other countries and Gard Chemicals is seeking to redress that balance.
Numerous products within the Gard Chemicals range have undergone strict process analysis undertaken by Socotec to ensure the suitability for use within the rail industry.
Nevertheless, the business uses all of its experience to ensure it meets all current regulations and be aware of the ever changing nature of these regulations.
For example, sales director Jim Knox explained that the company must understand what contamination Gard Chemicals will be dealing with. This is a big part of the company’s focus because it’s not enough in 2022 to supply environmentally-friendly chemicals, issues surrounding cross-contamination and correct disposals procedures must be adhered to.
Likewise the materials used are only formulated and manufactured using sustainable raw materials which consider all the various environmental legislation.
The supply chain is also largely UK-based meaning therefore reducing the environmental impact of the business, and its customers.
- To contact Gard Chemicals, or to discuss how it can help your business, telephone 01924 403550, email: sales@gardchemicals.com or visit www.traincleaning.com
