Our Environment

Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC) utilizes electricity generated by 100% renewable sources, through the purchase of energy off-set credits, for all facilities in the USA. This annually offsets greenhouse gas emissions to the equivalent of…

Additionally, NTIC develops technologies that support green manufacturing processes and energy production. Lastly, we help our global customers mitigate their impact on the environment through our three divisions, ZERUST®, Zerust® Oil & Gas, and Natur-Tec®.

ZERUST®/EXCOR® Corrosion Management Solutions

ZERUST®/EXCOR® is a leading provider of Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) technologies. Our solutions are used for product packaging, rust prevention, and rust removers to reduce the impact manufacturing has on the environment by:

• Preserving metal assets.
• Reducing waste and the energy required to make new items.
• Aiding in the refurbishing and remanufacturing of used metal items such as engine components.
• Preventing waste by enabling the recycling of rusted metal items.
• Providing alternative solutions from the use of oil and solvents to protect metal assets.
• Offering recyclable products such as ZERUST® VCI films and papers, as well as compostable VCI (Natur-VCI®) films and bags.

Zerust® Oil & Gas

Zerust® Oil & Gas provides corrosion mitigation solutions and services to customers in the oil and gas and process chemical industries. Zerust® Oil & Gas products reduce the environmental impact of the oil and gas industry by:

• Reducing the waste of metal assets and fossil fuels.
• Preventing spillage and leaks.
• Extending the service life of metal assets.

Zerust® Oil & Gas solutions are designed to meet stringent EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulations and are approved for use by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers.

Natur-Tec®

Since 2004, Natur-Tec® has focused on engineering and manufacturing bio-based and compostable plastics intended to replace conventional, petroleum-based plastics. Natur-Tec® has a broad bioplastics portfolio that spans flexible film, rigid injection molded materials, and engineered plastics. These applications produce 100% certified biodegradable and compostable finished products, such as bags, food service products, and product packaging. Natur-Tec® products support the sustainability goals of people and companies by:

• Enabling users to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Offer high-quality certified bio-based and 100% compostable resins and products.
• Researching new technologies to improve sustainable product choices.

Each business unit of NTIC supports greener manufacturing, energy production, and facilities. From ZERUST® corrosion solutions for industrial and oil and gas applications to Natur-Tec®’s high-quality, certified bio-based, and 100% compostable resins and products, NTIC is actively working towards better environmental solutions and promoting sustainability efforts.

Our Employees

Investing in our employees to create a sustainable workforce is a key focus at NTIC. We provide career development, continuing education, training opportunities, and leadership development, enabling employees at all levels to expand their skills. During the COVID-19 pandemic, NTIC has operated with an abundance of caution, with the health and safety of our employees in mind. We are reducing exposure by allowing most employees to work from home and modifying workspaces to ensure proper social distancing for essential personnel working at our facilities.

Our Human Rights Policy has been designed to align with the United Nations Global Compact and core elements of the United Nationals Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The purpose of this policy is:

• To identify the types of behavior prohibited by this policy.
• To provide procedures to follow when complaints of discrimination or harassment made by partners or employees of NTIC arise.
• To ensure that all partners and employees of NTIC are aware that harassment and discrimination are unacceptable practices incompatible with our company standards and a violation of the law.

NTIC is committed to safeguarding the human rights of our employees and the individuals in all of our business interactions. We expect our employees and business partners to conduct business according to the highest principles of integrity, ethics, fairness, and respect, and we expect our employees to comply with our Code of Ethics. In addition, we are committed to contributing to the betterment of the communities in which we operate. This policy:

• Applies at every level of NTIC and extends to all partners and employees (including full-time, part-time, temporary, and contract staff).
• Applies to every aspect of the employment relationship, including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfers, training, salaries, benefits, discipline, and performance appraisals.
• Applies to the physical offices of NTIC.
• Extends to the outside offices of NTIC (such as work from home, off-site client meetings, business travel, firm-sanctioned social events, and electronic communications).

NTIC Board of directors and executive leadership team is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and is committed to equal opportunity in regard to all hiring decisions, including the hiring/promoting of management positions and Board of Director appointments. We invest in building diverse talent pools and provide training to improve skills, where appropriate. Additionally, we are driving a culture of ESG, and our ESG goals are enforced through an executive compensation plan.

NTIC has established fair and competitive pay levels that are based on local markets and job descriptions and are not based on gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, or other personal characteristics or beliefs. Offering competitive benefits helps us attract and retain exceptional talent. In addition, NTIC’s health and wellness program provides preventive care to help sustain the well-being of every employee.

NTIC is an equal opportunity employer at all levels of operation. We are dedicated to maintaining a work environment in which all employees are treated with the dignity, decency, and respect they deserve.

NTIC has implemented the Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy as a part of its commitment to compliance with all applicable legal and ethical requirements. We believe that adherence to this policy furthers the Company’s mission, promotes productivity, minimizes disputes, and enhances our reputation.

Its purpose is to clearly communicate the Company’s requirement for all employees to interact in a professional manner and contribute to a work environment that reflects the spirit of equal employment opportunity free from prohibited harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation. It also establishes our procedure for reporting and the process for responding to claims of behavior in violation of this policy.

Our Health, Safety, Environment, & Security

NTIC believes that we are responsible to our worldwide customers, our people, our communities, and our shareholders, and we take these responsibilities seriously. We are dedicated to investing in the future of our planet and our people. We intend to continue investing in HSE&S protection and improvements in a timely manner consistent with available technology. All our activities are underpinned by NTIC’s core principles of integrity, sustainability, and safety. Therefore, we must:

• Exercise honor, humanity, and disciplined management in our actions.
• See a unified world through the global perspectives of our people.
• Ensure that the environment becomes a better place because of what we do.
• Invest continuously in our future.

It is NTIC’s policy to comply with environmental laws and regulations applicable to its businesses around the world and to manage its businesses in an environmentally responsible manner to reduce its impact on climate change. Where our policy, procedures, and external commitments are more stringent than local laws, we will operate in accordance with our standards. In addition to compliance with laws and regulatory requirements, NTIC will pursue the following objectives in close cooperation with our customers, suppliers, distributors, and other service providers:

• Ensure that all activities across the value chain are conducted in a manner that is consistent with NTIC’s Quality Management Standard (ISO 9001:2015) and HSE&S programs, including:
• selection and evaluation of suppliers, contractors, and other service providers;
• research, design, engineering, construction, and commissioning of new projects; and
• customer-facing activities, including technical service at our customer sites.
• Ensure that business activities are conducted to prevent harm and protect the health and safety of our customers, employees, contractors, the public, other stakeholders, and the environment through rigorous implementation of target setting and monitoring processes according to the NTIC HSE&S program.
• Develop, manufacture, distribute and market our products and services with full regard for HSE&S aspects.
• Protect people, assets, intellectual property, and critical information from accidental or deliberate harm, damage, or loss.
• Openly communicate on the nature of our activities, encourage dialogue and report progress on our HSE&S performance.

It is NTIC’s policy to comply with environmental laws and regulations applicable to its businesses around the world and to manage its businesses in an environmentally responsible manner. Accordingly, NTIC has an environmental management system (“EMS”) to establish the operational controls related to the identified significant environmental aspects of NTIC’s internal operations and activities; the goods and services used by NTIC, and communicating relevant requirements to our suppliers and subcontractors.

Our Communities

NTIC believes that sustainability means being a responsible and ethical corporate citizen. We are proud to support our employees as they give back to the communities in which they live and work. NTIC engages in efforts to strengthen community relationships and foster employee engagement through fundraising and other events.