Evonik Cyro’s Sanford, Maine, Site Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 33%

Evonik Cyro’s manufacturing facility in Sanford, Maine, has spent over three quarters of a million dollars to convert from heating oil to natural gas, reducing annual greenhouse gas carbon dioxide emissions by 33%.

The transition was coordinated with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Installed by local Maine contractors, the new natural gas steam boiler and heater units were fully operational late last year. The switch to a natural gas heating system supports the site’s commitment to the environment and the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care 14001 initiative.

Drew Scott, acrylic polymers manufacturing manager at the Sanford facility, said the switch was an important investment that reflects Evonik’s dedication to corporate responsibility, a core value that is ingrained in its products and operations.

“The site is committed to achieving a very high level of environmental sustainability and efficient use of energy through implementing and operating a heating system enhancing the company’s ecologically responsible practices,” said Scott. “Converting to natural gas is an important step in achieving Evonik’s self-imposed goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is very important to the Sanford community.”

John Rolando, president of Evonik’s Performance Polymers Business Unit in North America, said Evonik achieves sustainability not only through minimizing the impact its operations have on the environment, but also from a proactive approach of creating high-quality products and solutions that strongly improve the efficiency of energy and natural resources.

“Evonik produces a variety of products that reflect our environmental sustainability initiatives. Our Performance Polymers Business Unit develops key sustainable products such as an adhesion promoter system that allows the automotive industry to use up to 25% less material,” said Rolando. “Additionally, our polymethacrylimide (PMI) structural foam ROHACELL^® provides the light weight core of rotor blades for wind power turbines, and acrylic lenses produced at Sanford are used in concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems.”

Evonik’s other products that promote environmental efficiency include high performance lubricants, fuel additives and synthetic base fluids that improve the energy efficiency of components in automotive and industrial equipment. These products include internal and post-consumer waste.

For additional information about Evonik in North America, please visit our website: www.evonik.com/north-america.