The Heartland Polymers team was proud to accept three Responsible Care awards at the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC)’s national awards ceremony. These awards include Excellence in Partnership; Operation Clean Sweep Company of the Year; and the Women in Chemistry award, which was presented to Heartland’s own Kimberly Benedict, Vice President of Operations. The Responsible Care awards are the benchmark for excellence in the chemistry and plastics sector, recognizing companies that exemplify leadership and demonstrate an outstanding performance of Responsible Care principles.
In attendance to receive the awards were Todd Karran, Heartland CEO, Joanne Martineau, Indigenous Relations Manager (left) and Kimberly Benedict, Vice President of Operations (right).
“These awards are a testament to the exemplary work the Heartland Polymers team dedicates to enriching our communities and protecting our environment. We are proud to be recognized for our relentless efforts to be a responsible operator and respected neighbour in our communities through our continual pursuit of ‘better’ across our operations.”Todd Karran, Heartland's CEO
Women in Chemistry Award
The Women in Chemistry award recognizes women who are seen as leaders in the field of chemistry. Heartland’s own Kimberly Benedict, VP Operations, was proud to receive this award in recognition of her value-based leadership, unwavering commitment to safety and community, and her focus on people and workforce development.
Kimberly is a highly accomplished chemical engineer with nearly 25 years of experience in the petrochemicals and refining industries. Since joining Heartland’s parent company Inter Pipeline in 2019, she has served as Propane Dehydrogenation (PDH) Operations Director and is now the Vice President of Operations, overseeing operations of the Heartland Petrochemical Complex, North America’s first single-site, integrated PDH-PP facility.
In addition to her exemplary work leading Heartland operations, Kimberly is a role model and mentor to women in the industry and those pursuing careers in the sector. Learn more about Kimberly’s role as Vice President, Heartland Operations here.
“I am honoured to be recognized amongst an exceptional group of women leading the way in the industry. I take great pride in advocating for women in STEM and being a leader and role model for not just women across the sector, but to my own daughters as well. Thank you to CIAC for recognizing me with this prestigious award.”Kimberly Benedict, Vice President of Operations
Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) Company of the Year Award
Heartland received this award for demonstrating Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) principles year-round at our Heartland Petrochemical Complex. The goal for OCS members is to commit to zero pellet loss in operational practices. principles were embedded into the facility design of our Complex, which includes enclosed handling areas, advanced filtration, and water capture systems, preventing pellet loss and reducing emissions. This award also recognizes our efforts beyond the plant boundaries through our annual Clean4Change community cleanups, enriching the communities where we live and work.
“As a new build, we took advantage of our ability to design the facility with leading-edge technologies from the ground up,” said Robert Lychak, Director, Polypropylene & Central Utility Block Operations. “Deliberate design and technology choices were just the first step – ongoing efforts from all team members to keep pellets out of the environment reflect our commitment to responsible operations each and every day.”
Heartland is committed to OCS year-round, but it’s more than a program to us – it’s a core part of our operational culture. We ensure that OCS remains top of mind by integrating it into daily responsibilities, procedures and communication, making it a shared commitment across all levels of our organization. Learn more about Operation Clean Sweep.
Excellence in Partnership Award
This award recognizes our meaningful relationship with Alexander Valve & Supply, an Indigenous-owned business operated by members of Alexander First Nation. Alexander Valve & Supply provides valuable warehousing space for our Heartland Petrochemical Complex and further supports our facility with supply and materials management. This partnership provides a streamlined, single-source solution for storage, reducing transportation and handling costs, and strengthens our commitment to sourcing from Indigenous-owned businesses. This collaboration has reduced costs and emissions, created local economic opportunities, and supported cultural and community initiatives.
Beyond operational benefits, this initiative reflects our broader vision of supporting Indigenous economic prosperity while fostering sustainable, community-rooted solutions. The multi-year contract with Alexander Valve & Supply signifies a long-term commitment to mutual success and continuous improvement. Watch our latest video to learn more about our relationship with Alexander Valve & Supply.
As a proud member of the CIAC, Heartland actively participates in its Responsible Care program year-round, committing to the Responsible Care Ethics and Principles for Sustainability and the Responsible Care codes. We were proud to receive two 2023 awards, including the Excellence in Partnership Award and Stewardship Award.