Rural Affairs and Environment minister George Pullicino yesterday reaffirmed his message on environment day that “environment protection does not come at a cost but at a profit to industry”.
He said that this was one of the strongest arguments in favour of better environmental responsibility within the industrial sector.
The minister was addressing the international semi-conductor environment safety and health (ISESH) conference, being held at the Westin Dragonara Resort in St Julian’s.
Citing as an example the sterling work carried out by ST Microelectronics (Malta) Ltd, a local company that is seen as one that “has always aimed for the highest commitment towards the environment”, Mr Pullicino said these companies were considered crucial towards economic development because they venture into uncharted territory, creating a wealth of opportunities for their service providers.
“It is only in this way that economic and environmental prosperity can mutually grow.”
The minister said the government was equally interested in achieving set targets in environment protection and it continued to sustain the Green Leaders’ initiative.
“The results being achieved within the different ministries are tantamount of the government’s priority on the environment.”
Mr Pullicino said ST Malta’s proactive approach has also been demonstrated through the participation in various “Clean up the World” campaigns and the donation of more than 8,000 trees to the local community.
He mentioned the various initiatives started by the government, especially the treatment of solid waste on the island.
“The facilities needed to manage inert material, municipal waste and hazardous waste ascertain that Malta will continue to support industrial activity rendering Malta more competitive and attractive to set up shop locally.”
The changes, he added, were taking place gradually but surely.
“This government is certain that these changes are for the better and once the infrastructure is in place and the regulatory framework is sufficiently robust, than companies that are adopting cleaner technologies will find it more at their competitive advantage to operate.”
The conference has brought together microchip companies from around the world. The conference, which rotates annually between Europe, US and Asia, is being hosted this year by the Brussels-based European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA) and is the premier environmental conference for the global industry.
Speaking at the opening session, Angela Oppitz, the conference chairperson from Qimonda, said “this is a unique opportunity in a great location to discuss the ESH challenges which the industry faces”.
This year’s conference brings together 130 global industry experts from all major semiconductor (microchip) areas of production including representatives from companies such as Intel, Philips, Samsung, Texas Instruments, Infineon and Toshiba.
The ISESH conference is in its 13th year and comes to Malta with the strong support from the STMicroelectronics plant in Kirkop. The delegates will discuss and share technical information on the activities and on how to manage the environmental aspects of the semiconductor production process. Topics which will be addressed over the course of the conference include energy conservation activities in the production factories, waste management and the reduction of process gas emissions.
Best practice sharing on successful experiences will also take place. The industry has been recognised by US and European regulators as one of the most environmentally responsible sectors through numerous awards for sustainable production systems and environmental protection.
The keynote opening session included a presentation by STM Corporate vice-president, Georges Auguste, Timo Jaatinen from the leading mobile phone company Nokia and Prof. Ab Stevels from the Delft University of Technology.