Garlock Wins Air Quality Award for VOC Elimination
Palmyra, N.Y., January 13, 2009 - Garlock Sealing Technologies has won a 2008 Business Achievement Award from the Environmental Business Journal for eliminating a volatile organic compound (VOC) and listed hazardous air pollutant (HAP) under the Clean Air Act with a more environmentally friendly solvent in its production of sheet gasketing. The award will be presented at a special ceremony on February 20 at the publication's Environmental Industry Summit VII in Coronado, Calif.
Garlock recently completed a five-year, $3 million project that eliminated an average of 119 tons of emissions per year at its Palmyra, N.Y., plant. It also resulted in patent-pending gaskets that seal 20% better, are easier to remove and reduce users' VOC/HAP emissions and steam energy leaks.
Produced by compressing mixtures of fibers and solvated rubber, sheet
gaskets are used to seal and control fugitive emissions from flanged joints in the refining, petrochemical, power generation and pulp and paper industries.
"We decided to abandon a practice that had been in place since 1905," said Garlock's Jim Drago, P.E. "The aim was to have a new process technology, a healthier work environment and better environmental stewardship."
Garlock also was recently honored by the Rochester Business Journal
for "making great strides to become environmentally sound and making our community a healthier place to live." The company won the publication's environmental leadership award due to the environmental and resource conservation measures undertaken in its larger five-year, $30 million plant modernization program.
These measures include use of water from a nearby lake for comfort and
process cooling; closed-loop process equipment that saves up to 20,000
gallons of water per day; use of non-treated water for production processes; separation of the storm water system; and creation of green spaces to reduce runoff.
New production facilities at Garlock's Palmyra complex also feature high-efficiency, water-cooled chillers with ultrasonic humidification, reflective roofs to reduce heat loading and highly insulative exterior panels. On-demand water heaters serve isolated areas, and waste heat is recovered from exhaust ventilation systems and air compressors. Where possible, even the materials resulting from the demolition of old structures have been recycled or reused on site to minimize waste.
About Garlock Sealing Technologies
Garlock Sealing Technologies, an EnPro Industries company, is the
acknowledged global leader in high-performance fluid sealing products. These include compression packing, gasketing, hydraulic components, dynamic seals, metal gaskets, high-performance metal seals and critical-service flange gaskets, as well as expansion joints. The company has 15 global operations employing more than 1,800 people and a distributor network that covers 75 countries. Its 12 manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America collectively produce the broadest range of fluid sealing products designed specifically for industrial applications. In addition, it operates the most extensive testing facilities in the industry. For more information about the company and its products, visit www.garlock.com.
About Environmental Business Journal
Based in San Diego, Calif., Environmental Business Journal provides a strategic overview of the environmental industry for executives of product and service companies, investors and managers. It delivers concise market research, financial analysis, business trends and company profiles. It is published by Environmental Business International, which serves the global environmental industry with strategic information via newsletters and comprehensive research reports. For more information, visit www.ebiusa.com.
For more Information
contact Jim Drago
P.E., Manager, Business Development
Garlock Sealing Technologies
1666 Division Street
Palmyra, NY 145222
Tel: 315-597-3070
Fax: 800-543-0598
E-mail:jim.drago@garlock.com.
Contact: Henry Raab
Swb&r
P: 610-866-0611
henry.raab@swbrinc.com
