Arkema Receives EPA Award For Environmental Stewardship
Share:
Arkema Receives EPA Award For Environmental Stewardship
Philadelphia, PA, May 14, 2007 - Arkema has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Climate Protection Award for its continued leadership, innovation and achievement in improving the energy efficiency of its manufacturing sites and for developing products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, specifically Fluorochemicals' Transcend® additive technology, a blowing agent additive sold to the rigid foam market. The award was presented on May 1 in Washington D.C.
"Arkema's team is protecting the climate through innovation, conservation and energy efficiency," said Dr. Kathleen Hogan, director of the EPA's Climate Protection Partnership Division. "Arkema also advocates responsible use of powerful non-CO2 greenhouse gases and has proposed that manufacturing associations worldwide use strict codes of practice to limit their emissions."
Arkema has long been an advocate of responsible use and phase-out of materials that contribute to global warming and ozone depletion. Since 1990, the Company has reduced its use of greenhouse gases in its worldwide manufacturing processes by two-thirds.
"This award is an acknowledgement of Arkema's commitment to being a part of the broader solution to the growing complexities of climate change," said George Cornelius, President and CEO of Arkema Inc. "It recognizes our ongoing efforts to integrate business development with environmental stewardship in a world of accelerating environmental challenges."
"Today, as governments and regulatory agencies intensify their efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions, Arkema continues to lead our customers to use chemicals responsibly and to reduce emissions," said Manny Katz, Arkema's group president for Fluorochemicals in North America, who accepted the EPA award on May 1 on the Company's behalf.
"This is the first in a family of innovative Transcend® products that address our customers' changing environmental needs," said Kirsten Makel, global business director for Arkema's Foams, Solvents and Aerosols.
Arkema's director of regulatory activities for Fluorochemicals, Tom Werkema, was specifically acknowledged for his leadership role in helping the fluorochemicals industry reduce its usage of greenhouse gases.
"This is our commitment under the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care© program," said Werkema, a 36-year industry veteran who has been working in environmental stewardship for 14 years.
In 2005, the EPA granted Arkema's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) petition to allow the Company's new Transcend® additive technology to be used as part of a blowing agent system for the direct replacement of various greenhouse gases, including chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) blowing agents in most rigid polyurethane foam (PUR) applications. Today, Transcend® is used to reduce the amount of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in foam products by up to 25 percent.
About Arkema
A world-class chemical concern, Arkema combines three strategically related, integrated businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals and Performance Products. With operations in more than 40 countries and 17,000 employees, the company reported revenue of 5.7 billion. Leveraging six research centers in France, the United States and Japan and internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in each of its principal markets.
