Americhem Inc.'s use of a renewable energy program at its headquarters is an important move for the firm, according to global sustainability leader Lauren Lutikoff.
"We were looking for ways to become more sustainable, and renewable energy is one of the best ways to do that," Lutikoff said in a recent interview.
Earlier this year, Americhem began sourcing all electricity used at its headquarters in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, through a local renewable energy program offered by the city.
Cuyahoga Falls offers the EcoSmart Choice program, where residents and businesses can use renewable energy sourced through Green-e certified renewable energy certificates (RECs). This renewable energy is generated primarily from hydroelectric, wind and solar power.
Lutikoff said Americhem is one of the first local businesses to use the city's renewable energy program. She added that the headquarters site uses more electricity than a typical office building because Americhem operates some lab facilities and pilot-scale production lines there.
Joining the program is allowing Americhem to eliminate about 750 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. Officials said this amount equals the amount of carbon sequestered by 875 acres of U.S. forests in one year.
Americhem now is considering using the renewable energy program at a commercial production site it operates at a separate location in Cuyahoga Falls, Lutikoff said. The firm also would like to implement similar programs across all its global facilities. Americhem's Controlled Polymers unit in Denmark already is operating on all renewable electricity.
In another sustainability step, Americhem earlier this year launched its EcoLube-brand line of PFAS-free internally lubricated compounds. Officials said the new materials deliver advanced mechanical properties in moving plastic parts while addressing industry challenges around proposed PFAS regulations and promoting environmental responsibility.
They added that EcoLube compounds and alloys are designed to help manufacturers reduce the wear and friction of moving plastic parts. The materials also can reduce noise during use and decrease coefficient of friction for plastic-on-plastic and plastic-on-metal applications, all without the use of PFAS components. End-use applications can include healthcare, industrial and transportation.
Recently, Americhem was awarded a Silver EcoVadis Medal for sustainability efforts. That result places the firm among the top 15 percent of companies assessed by EcoVadis, an independent rating agency that assesses environmental, social and ethical performance.
Americhem is an Operation Clean Sweep member, with many of its U.S. sites pledged to achieve zero resin pellet, flake, and powder loss to keep materials out of marine environments. Americhem plants use recycling-compliant packaging, collaborating with customers for the reuse of packaging materials including plastic drums.
Americhem employs more than 900 and is one of North America's 30 largest compounders and concentrate makers, according to Plastics News data.