Environmental Performance
As a chemical and mining company, ICL is aware of the potential impact of its operations and products. ICL continues to invest in environmental protection, pollution prevention, impact reduction, increasing efficiency of production facilities and enhancement of environmental procedures and measures.
One of the main environmental issues related to ICL’s activity is air emissions. ICL has been in the process of reducing its emissions, striving for continuous improvement. This issue has become a focus in recent years in Israel, where ICL sites are obligated to adhere to new regulations, with emphasis on the Israeli Clean Air Law. The required significant investments (see below increase in 2018-20) have already produced results in the form of significant reductions, which are expected to continue in upcoming years.
ICL applies an overall policy of corporate responsibility and sustainability that integrates social, economic and environmental considerations into all its business activities. This policy includes responsible management and continuous improvement in all sustainability aspects: reducing environmental impacts; health and safety; product stewardship throughout the entire product lifecycle; responsible use of natural and land resources; advanced mine reclamation and transparency.
ICL invests extensive resources in training and mentoring, as well as other safety measures, in order to continually improve occupational safety and health, environmental management and prevent accidents.
For details on significant environmental incidents and environmental enforcement within the reporting period, see “Management Approach”.
Linking into a Circular Economy
ICL is developing products and methods that will enable it to be an active participant in circular economy efforts. It is piloting and implementing production processes to close loops in its own facilities, and developing products from its own by-products, as well as, producing new products from waste.
Read MoreDead Sea Level
Currently, the water level in the Dead Sea is receding at a rate of around 1.1 meters a year, causing its surface area to shrink. Most of the decrease in water levels is caused by the drastic reduction in the quantity of water entering the Dead Sea from its sources. Water which used to flow into the Dead Sea in the past had since been damned and diverted upstream by Israel and neighboring countries, and used for drinking, domestic use and agriculture. Unfortunately, the decline in sea level will continue even if all industrial operations are halted in the southern basin of the sea. The channeling of water to the southern basin provides the economic base for industries and tourism, that developed on the banks of the evaporation ponds in the southern part of the Dead Sea, to continue thriving.
Read MoreAshalim Creek (Nahal Ashalim) Incident
On June 30, 2017 ICL Rotem, an ICL subsidiary located in Israel’s Negev region, suffered a significant environmental incident in which approximately 100,000 cubic meters of acidic phosphogypsum suspension were released from a breach in a detainment pond to the surrounding environment. Following a multi-year cleanup and monitoring effort in which ICL took a leading role, the creek was declared safe for hiking and re-opened to the public by the Israeli authorities in June 2020.
Read MoreManaging the Salt Deposits at ICL Iberia
ICL Iberia has implemented numerous measures to control and manage its salt deposits at Suria and Sallent. It manages the salt deposited using Best Available Techniques. A multi‑year program is currently underway to restore ICL Iberia’s salt deposits, while concentrating efforts on wastewater drainage and sludge treatment.
Read MoreEnvironmental Value of ICL’s Products
ICL is on a continuous path towards operational excellence. While the company strives to minimize any potential negative environmental impact, it is also searching for ways to enhance the beneficial aspects of its products.
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