Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and well-being of our employees has been our number one priority. We implemented extensive COVID protocols across our global offices and production sites to reduce the risk of transmission and to keep employees and their families safe. As a result, between March – September 2020, Proman’s direct employees and contractors in Trinidad and Tobago worked approximately 2.1 million manhours without a positive COVID-19 case at any of our facilities, including the successful execution of two major turnarounds in July and September 2020.
Sustainability
Sustainable Development Goals
As a responsible business we strive to constantly improve our processes and performance, and do our part to contribute towards global targets. Click on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals below to find out more about the work Proman is doing in each of these areas.
Plant turnarounds are highly resource-intensive planned maintenance sessions which require a huge number of additional skills and resources. Turnarounds require 24-hour maintenance activity where expert teams scrutinise every single piece of equipment and machinery on the plant. At Proman, we execute 2-3 turnarounds each year, ensuring that all of our plants are rigorously maintained to run as safely and efficiently as possible. Our local contractor and service sector partners are integral to the successful delivery of these turnarounds, creating a thriving support services sector and widespread economic multiplier effect.
Thanks to Proman’s investment, local Trinidadian companies such as Qualtech have been able to grow from strength to strength: from 3 to 100 employees in 20 years.
Proman has invested in six state-of-the-art methanol-ready vessels, three of which are part of our JV with Stena Bulk. These innovative eco-vessels are designed to optimise energy and fuel efficiency, including streamlined hull lines, the latest generation MAN methanol dual-fuel engines and new water and fuel emulsion technology which significantly reduces NOx emissions without the need for heavy and costly catalytic conversion technology.
Access to safe housing has been particularly critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020 alone, Proman’s support provided Disaster Risk Reduction & Safety training for over 400 individuals in Trinidad; enabled Habitat for Humanity to train 10 local community groups in how to reduce shelter-related risks and resulted in almost 70 critical repairs and renovations and over 300 individuals trained on Healthy Housing Practices.
In the USA, Proman’s contribution supported the Disaster Home Repair programme, providing reconstruction after damage from Hurricane Harvey to many low-income and disadvantaged households in the Houston and Fort Bend areas.
Our production of low-emission methanol in Trinidad actively consumes carbon dioxide from nearby fertilizer plants. Over 70% of the carbon dioxide produced at our ammonia plants is recycled and used, mainly by our methanol plants, allowing us to reduce our carbon intensity and consequently our impact on climate change.
Varennes Carbon Recycling (VCR) is a landmark waste to biofuels plant in Varennes, Québec. VCR is expected to ramp up production to 100,000 tonnes of bio- and circular methanol production per year, utilising over 200,000 tons of non-recyclable residual materials as well as wood waste. The plant will leverage green hydrogen and oxygen produced through electrolysis, transforming Quebec’s excess hydroelectricity capacity into value-added bio-methanol and biofuels.
Proman will market the methanol produced from the plant, making us one of the largest marketers of bio-methanol globally once the plant is in operation. Bio-methanol produced from waste using the method deployed at Varennes can be up to 90% less carbon intense compared to traditional fossil fuels, whilst also recycling waste which would otherwise go into landfill.
In May 2019, Proman Shipping was recognised with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Award, in recognition of our efforts to help protect endangered whales in California.
The NOAA’s Vessel Speed Reduction scheme was introduced to help reduce air pollution and protect whales from the impact of growing traffic on the shipping lanes around the San Francisco Bay and Santa Barbara Channel. All ships carrying cargoes of 300 tonnes or more are asked to travel across designated areas of whale habitat at speeds of 10 knots or less. This has been found to significantly reduce the risk of ship strike, one of the leading causes of whale mortality worldwide, while also reducing the risk of serious injury by offering whales a longer reaction time.
Anita Gajadhar, Managing Director of Proman Shipping, said: “It is a great honour to receive this award, and a testament to the excellent teamwork and commitment of our ship crews. The San Francisco Bay area is an important feeding ground for several species of endangered whale, and we are proud to play a part in maintaining a healthy local ecosystem.”
Mangrove wetlands, with their complex and stabilising root networks, provide a range of vital ecosystem services. They harbour fish and crustacean nurseries, protect from storms and floods, reduce beach and soil erosion, sequester carbon and help maintain water quality. Mangroves are particularly important in coastal areas that are more vulnerable to climate change-associated disturbances, such as storm surges.
In line with Trinidad’s National Wetland Policy, Proman’s Upstream subsidiary DeNovo Energy is actively supporting a five-year project to regenerate coastal mangroves at the Point Lisas Estate shoreline. Over the course of the initial 24 months, the planted mangrove seedlings have recolonised the area, with approximately 486 square metres now covered by dense mangrove growth, alongside the return of numerous vertebrate and invertebrate fauna on a par with baseline levels.
This study and the work of DeNovo and its partners in restoring the mangrove study has been featured at the Caribbean Integrated Water Resources and Coastal System 2021 Conference.
Since 2013, Proman USA (formerly known as G2X) has worked in partnership with the Pampa Economic Group and Energy Center to deliver sustained economic growth for the local area. Proman USA is the Pampa Energy Center’s most significant partner, occupying over 20% of the industrial park. As well as being a leading local employer, Proman USA contributes significant added value through ongoing capital investment in the industrial site, working alongside local government, as well as long-standing partnerships with local emergency and essential services and active work in the community.
Since starting our operations in Pampa, Proman USA has generated an aggregate impact of over USD $10 million for the local economy. We invest heavily to ensure the safe and efficient operation of our plant, and we are proud that over 35% of our power comes from renewable sources.
“Since coming to the Pampa area in 2013, Proman has been a significant player with respect to participation at the Pampa Energy Center (PEC) industrial site. As the site’s most significant partner, Proman is not just a contributor to the PEC plan for community growth through employment, but Proman has been a contributor through community involvement. Proman is perceived by the PEC and Pampa community as one of the long-term participants that truly makes a difference in creating a foundation for community growth.” – Ron Nelson, President – Open Range Engine
COVID-19 Community Support
Across our global locations, Proman stepped up our community support efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, donating and distributing food hampers and care packages, raising funds for community organisations and distributing much needed IT equipment to local schools.
families supported with food hampers in Trinidad and Tobago
care packages donated in Sinaloa, Mexico
raised for community organisations in the US
Habitat for Humanity
In January 2019, Proman’s global partnership with Habitat for Humanity International began. This follows many years of collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Trinidad & Tobago, and expands the scope of our work together to the main regions of operation for the Proman family of companies: Europe, USA and Trinidad & Tobago.
our commitment to our longstanding Habitat for Humanity partnership
the number of people that Proman's donation helps Habitat for Humanity to support directly
the number of families that Proman's donation enables Habitat for Humanity to reach