THE 3M company, which has a plant at Aycliffe Industrial Estate, County Durham, has won national recognition for its environmental business practices and the positive impact they have on society.

The company is one of 22 in the country to be awarded the Impact Endorsement Mark for business excellence as part of the Business in the Community's 2001 Awards for Excellence programme.

The mark demonstrates the measurable impact that a company has had on society through its community programmes or business practices.

3M has also been selected for the second year running as one of three finalists in the programme's Business in the Environment Award, sponsored by National Grid.

The winners are to be announced at a gala event hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in London, on Wednesday, July 11.

3M is one of the world's largest innovative companies. It manufactures respiratory protection products for worker safety, as well as environmental protection materials, at its Heighington Lane site in Aycliffe.

The environmental effect of the company's activities is considered throughout a product's life and has led to improvements or developments for more than a hundred products.

3M spokesman Tony Bellis said: "3M has long had a commitment to protecting the environment and we are delighted to have received such recognition for our work.

He added: "It is a tribute to the dedication and efforts of our employees at Newton Aycliffe and other sites in the UK."

The awards are run in association with the Financial Times, sponsored by the DTI, and recommended by the British Quality Foundation.

Now in their fourth year, they are recognised as the leading awards in the field of corporate responsibility.

Julia Cleverdon, chief executive of Business in the Community, said: "The Awards for Excellence highlight the inspirational work being undertaken by companies committed to improving their impact on society.

"The entries for the awards this year show how many successful companies do place social responsibility at the heart of what they do.

"The real power of the awards lies in what we all learn from their example."