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Nalco’s commitment to providing customers with solutions that are environmentally sustainable
has been acknowledged with a number of awards for green chemistry, pollution prevention and safety.
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The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recognizes and
promotes the development of innovative green chemical technologies that prevent pollution and that have broad industrial applications.
An independent panel of experts named by the American Chemical Society selects the winners. Our 3D TRASAR® technology for cooling water
won a 2008 award in the area of greener reaction conditions.
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Cooling systems for comfort in commercial buildings and cooling industrial processes require added chemicals to control microbial
growth, mineral deposits and corrosion. Nalco developed 3D TRASAR technology to monitor the condition of cooling water continuously
and add appropriate chemicals only when needed. The technique saves water and energy, optimizes the use of water-treatment chemicals,
reduces air and wastewater emissions, and extends equipment life. In 2007, more than 5,000 customer locations in the United States,
Canada and Europe using 3D TRASAR technology saved an estimated 40.2 billion gallons of water, enough water to provide for the
annual basic water needs of more than 8.3 million people.
In 1999 Nalco was recognized for our Ultimer® polymers. Traditional oil-based emulsion polymers, commonly used for water
treatment and as a process aid in many industries, introduce oil and surfactant into the environment. Our Ultimer polymers are
manufactured in water-based salt solutions, eliminating the release of five million pounds of oil into the environment annually.
In addition, the manufacturing process utilizes a waste by-product (ammonium sulfate) from another industrial process.
Illinois annually recognizes select companies for successful waste reduction activities. Illinois
Governor’s Pollution Prevention Awards are given to businesses and organizations that have helped the environment and the economy
of the state by successfully reducing the generation of gaseous, liquid, and solid waste. Nalco has been honored eight times with this award.
For four times in a five-year period, our Clearing Plant in Bedford Park has been recognized for manufacturing
improvements that reduced energy and water use, as well as wastewater production. Natural gas use was reduced by more than 125 million
cubic feet per year, resulting in reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, sulfur and nitrogen oxides (NOx/SOx), particulates, and volatile organic materials. Sulfuric acid use in one process was reduced by 25 percent and plant
water use was reduced by more than 76 million gallons per year.
In addition to our ULTIMER polymers, other Nalco green technologies have won Illinois Pollution
Prevention Awards, including:
- Our STA•BR•EX® microbiological program, which mimics the naturally occurring stabilized bromine that white blood cells use to
treat infection. It is less toxic to aquatic wildlife, safer for our customers’ employees and generates less byproduct than un-stabilized
halogen treatments.
- The PORTA-FEED® Advanced Chemical Handling System, a family of reusable containers, have eliminated the need to use and dispose
of more than 4 million 55-gallon drums.
This award honors Pennsylvania businesses and organizations that tackle environmental problems
and help build new businesses, enhance the bottom line and engage residents in a renewed commitment to investing in their communities.
Our plant in Ellwood City was recognized for its waste minimization and water use reduction efforts. A cross-functional team implemented
a series of changes that reduced plant waste volumes by 692,000 gallons-per-year, improved material recycling by
1.32-million-pounds-per-year and reduced water usage by more than 10 million gallons annually.
Our Fawley Plant in the United Kingdom has won six consecutive Gold Awards from the Royal Society
for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). RoSPA Gold Award winners have achieved a very high level of performance, demonstrating well
developed occupational health and safety management systems and culture, outstanding control of risk and very low levels of error,
harm and loss.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has given a Voluntary Protection Program
Star Award to our Sugar Land Plant in Texas for outstanding workplace safety and health management.
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