Company Profiles

Ecolab

United States

Ecolab provides cleaning, sanitizing, pest elimination, and maintenance products and services for the hospitality, institutional, and industrial markets. As ecological constraints persist, we believe chemical companies that demonstrate an ability to formulate non-toxic substances, promote and facilitate the reduction and reuse of chemicals, and create products that have environmental benefits for the end user will have a competitive advantage. Ecolab has addressed all three of these areas. For example, the company has a policy that prohibits the use of substances listed as persistent, bioaccumulative, or highly toxic, potential carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins. In addition, Ecolab limits the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in its products and has maintained the aquatic toxicity levels equivalent to Green Seal standards throughout its entire product line. The company recognizes a large majority of its environmental impact occurs at the customer location (i.e., consumption of water and energy to utilize the Ecolab product). In an effort to minimize these impacts, Ecolab's R&D teams have worked to create such products as Formula 1 laundry detergent, designed to limit consumption of water and energy by reducing the typical wash cycle, water usage, and energy needed to heat the water. Portfolio 21 has asked Ecolab to enhance its climate change initiatives by setting reduction goals on a global basis.

To the best of our knowledge the above information is accurate and was obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. Neither the information presented above nor any opinion expressed shall be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy the security. The views expressed are those of portfolio management as of 3/31/09 and may not reflect current opinions or subsequent events.