Jan 29 2014
Fairmount Minerals announced today the company's Alpha Resins was honored with the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates, Inc. (SOCMA) 2013 ChemStewards® Sustainability Award. Alpha Resins also received a 2013 Bronze Performance Improvement Award for excellence in environmental, health, safety, and security (EHS&S) practices at the association's 92nd annual dinner.
The ChemStewards Sustainability Award acknowledges a member facility that displays exemplary commitment to sustainability and green chemistry.
Alpha Resins, which engineers resins for higher throughput, improved quality, and superior environmental performance, sets annual sustainability goals based on People, Planet, and Prosperity. In 2012, Alpha Resins achieved 107% of these goals. In 2013, the plant's teams achieved 113% of 15 goals, including safety, industry education, volunteerism and community investment, health and wellness, and environmental responsibility.
The Environmental Responsible Products and Processes team identified four options for improvements, saving more than $74,000 and implemented three best practices for organization, standardization, and technology. Additional 2013 sustainability achievements include:
- New boilers increased energy efficiency and saved $45,000.
- The main scrubber's water reuse plan conserved 4,800 gallons per day.
- The water conservation plan saved $24,960.
- Solid waste decreased by 72% or 79,123 pounds.
A new product—Epsilon-SD™ phenolic-urethane, no-bake system—releases fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for greater environmental responsibility. Team members strive for and exceed expectations with exceptional stewardship.
The plant has a goal of achieving zero waste to landfill by 2015 by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Alpha Resins follows Fairmount Minerals' Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) criteria.
The Bronze Performance Improvement Award recognizes Fairmount Minerals' outstanding commitment to continuous improvement in EHS&S practices as part of SOCMA's ChemStewards program. The Alpha Resins' EHS&S plan, which is managed by a multidisciplinary team, describes how to minimize resource use and ensure the safety of employees and the area around and near the plant.
"Alpha Resins has clearly defined a permanent commitment to sustainability with all employees taking ownership," said Dana Cooper, director of Business Excellence. "We understand sustainability cannot be achieved by any one individual, but requires the entire organization to support that commitment with the resources to achieve these goals."
The SOCMA awards were selected through a month-long, double-blind selection process. The winners were honored in December.
Source: http://www.fairmountminerals.com