The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Rohm and Haas Co. Kankakee facility with their National Environmental Performance Track Award for progress toward achieving environmental performance goals and the breadth and challenge of those goals.
The Kankakee plant, which manufactures water-based polymers for the paint and coatings industry, was acknowledged for reducing total energy consumption by 28%, water usage by more than 4 million gallons or 12%, and eliminating its use of ferric chloride by developing a replacement process with their local municipality.
The award is recognition of improvement recorded in 2006. These achievements were reached even as its production increased by 18%.
"Goals are established for a three-year period. By measuring against them quarterly, we're able to ensure obstacles are removed and our operations become more sustainable," explained Kevin Traynor, Plant Manager.
The National Environmental Performance Track drives environmental excellence by encouraging facilities with strong environmental records to go above and beyond their legal requirements. Members set typically four public, measurable goals to improve the quality of our nation's air, water and land.
Rohm and Haas is working to bring sustainable development to a greater forefront of the chemical industry and has formed a partnership with the international non-profit organization, The Natural Step International -- a leading global research, education and advisory organization that specializes in developing systematic, science-based approaches for organizations to become more sustainable.
