Associate Programme 2003: The LONZA Experience

Lonza is a Life Science driven company headquartered in Switzerland, operating 18 production and R&D facilities in 8 countries. It employs 6,200 people worldwide and is the leading custom manufacturer of active chemical ingredients, intermediates and biotechnology solutions to the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Lonza manufactures a comprehensive range of organic intermediates for a wide variety of applications and offers antimicrobial and associated products. The Valais Works in Visp and Lalden are Lonza’s largest research, development and production facilities, employing around 2,600 workers.

Under these conditions our firm offers an ideal training ground. Programmes such as the Associate Programme not only support the construction of an international network of trained contacts in OPCW matters world-wide, but from our point of view, also can be considered as a supporting contribution from the industrial countries to the general globalisation process.

Already back in the 90s, initial contacts existed between our company and the Federal Military Department (EMD) to work out a practical, one-week module for industrial inspectors of the then CW-Inspection Authorities. The module was first implemented in 1997 under the name SWISSPOINT, with a total of six weeks instruction. In April of that year, we hosted 20 trainees from 14 different nations. The instruction was repeated in March 1998 with 19 candidates from 16 nations. In June 1998 a first inspection was carried out in our works. A second inspection followed in November 2001. Since 1996, we have complied with the declaration duty. In June 2002, we supervised two candidates for three weeks in September within the framework of the OPCW Associate Program.

The experience we have had with the Associate Program has shown that the level of expertise of the candidates was excellent. A multicultural exchange is beneficial for both sides. During the course of their studies about possible potential hazards of chosen installations or processes, our candidates work out interesting aspects of prevention or optimisation. The presentation of the results of the studies provided to those operating the installations or processes was extremely stimulating; some ideas were discussed in great depth.

In 2003 the following people will look after the candidates:

• Dr. Raymond Vouillamoz, Leader of Safety, Health and Environment
• Dr. Holger Lehnen, Leader of the Group Process Safety
• Dipl. Ing. Harald Winter, Specialist in the Group Process Safety