WaterBriefs: Rohm & Haas facility in Mass. recognized by EPA
In other news below:
-- Water treatment saves operating cost in paper & pulp industry, Siemens
-- GF helps outfit the world's largest cruise ship
-- Canadian court approves GE acquisition of Zenon
-- Jacobs selected as framework consultants for DRD Water Service in N. Ireland
-- P&G participates in largest household water treatment study ever
-- NJAWWA section meets legislators to discuss water issues
-- HMM engineer receives 2006 Next Generation Award
Rohm and Haas facility recognized by EPA's National Environmental Performance Track Program -- BOSTON, May 10, 2006 -- Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC has earned national recognition for their environmental accomplishments in 2004 through EPA's national Performance Track program. At an award ceremony held in Atlanta on May 9, the Marlborough, MA, facility received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency award for efforts to reduce the use of chemicals such as acetone and ethyl lactate.
"By committing to conservation, America's leading companies are proving that doing what's good for the environment is also good for business," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator for EPA's New England Office. "Performance Track partners are stepping up to the plate by going beyond regulatory requirements to achieve environmental benefits."
Performance Track was launched in June 2000 and now has more than 400 members in 46 states and Puerto Rico. Rohm and Haas is a charter member of the program and one of the 39 participants based in New England. Facilities make commitments to achieve environmental improvements that exceed required compliance levels over the course of their three year membership.
Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC, manufactures specialty chemicals used in the electronics industry. In 2004 the organization focused on educating employees, mapping processes, modifying procedures, and reusing materials to decrease their use of hazardous materials.
From this work, the facility was able to lower its per-batch use of acetone by 33 percent and decrease its per-batch use of ethyl lactate by 16 percent. Rohm and Haas also reduced their greenhouse gas releases by nine percent on a normalized basis by retrofitting lighting fixtures and installing more efficient cooling units. In their first four reporting years, they also achieved impressive results in their commitments to decrease their water use, energy consumption, hazardous material use, and hazardous waste generation.
Rose Perkins, Manager of Sustainable Development at Rohm and Haas commented: "At Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials, we make safety, social responsibility, and environmental protection an integral part of our business ideology and conduct. We are committed to making our worldwide operations and products free from significant risks to the health and safety of our employees, customers, contractors, the general public, and to the environment. EPA's Performance Track program is one of several ways that we can demonstrate our commitment to environmental protection and sustainable business growth."
Also see:
-- "EPA celebrates National Drinking Water Week with awards to schools for protecting Schuylkill River"
-- "Tools will help small drinking water utilities monitor drinking water"
-- "EPA Administrator marks fifth anniversary of Performance Track Program at Lockheed Martin's Marietta, GA, facility"
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Among other recent headlines:
• Water treatment saves operating cost in paper & pulp industry, Siemens -- BERLIN, Germany, May 9, 2006 -- Rising water prices and stricter regulations on the quality of wastewater call for new solutions for companies needing water for their production purposes. With integration of the product range of U.S. market leader USFilter, the Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S) Group now provides optimized solutions for the paper and pulp industry. At the heart of the process, the waste water produced is treated immediately for recirculation into the production subprocess. Products and systems provided by I&S' "Water Technologies" division enable full integration of individual processes into the production chain, covering fresh water treatment, secondary treatment and sludge treatment. This integration minimizes fresh water consumption and reduces or avoids the quantities of waste water produced. It also reduces the burden on the environment and saves cost...
Also see: "Siemens: Water as a raw material is a location factor in Europe -- Water reclamation and water cycle management strengthen competitive edge"
• Full speed ahead: GF helps outfit the world's largest cruise ship -- Georg Fischer capitalizes on new market opportunities in shipbuilding -- TUSTIN, CA, May 9, 2006 -- As the cruiseline industry continues its record-breaking run as one of the fastest growing segments in the leisure sector, Georg Fischer was recently awarded a number of major orders in the face of stiff international competition and is working on some high-profile projects. One of the most spectacular new ships that Georg Fischer is involved in outfitting is the 'Freedom of the Seas,' the world's largest cruise ship -- or cruise liner as it is called -- and the new flagship of Florida-based Royal Caribbean International. Georg Fischer supplied the hot and cold water piping to all cabins using the all-plastic system INSTAFLEX as well as the integral drinking water treatment systems -- a total of ten systems in all, complete with PVC pipes, fittings and valves and drives. The company has a long history of involvement in shipbuilding as a supplier of piping systems. And since plastic is also becoming increasingly established as a new material in this sector there's outstanding potential for growth...
Also see:
-- "GF Piping Systems' Signet instruments help Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef keep environment stable for aquatic life"
-- "Georg Fischer Schwab sold to Arques Industries"
• Canadian court approves GE acquisition of Zenon -- OAKVILLE, ON, Canada, May 9, 2006 -- Zenon Environmental Inc. today announced that the Court of the Queen's Bench of Alberta has issued the final order approving the acquisition of all of Zenon's outstanding common and non-voting class A shares by a wholly owned subsidiary of General Electric Co. In so issuing the final order, the court determined, based upon the evidence presented, that the terms and conditions of the acquisition are fair and reasonable to the securityholders of Zenon. The arrangement is expected to be completed on or about June 1, 2006...
Also see: "Zenon getting back on track with improved first quarter results"
• Jacobs selected as framework consultants for DRD Water Service in N. Ireland -- PASADENA, CA, May 9, 2006 -- Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. announced today that a subsidiary company has received a framework contract from the Department for Regional Development (DRD), Water Service, Northern Ireland, to support the organization's $380 million annual capital investment program. DRD Water Service, a public sector utility, provides water treatment and supply; and sewage collection, treatment, and disposal for Northern Ireland's 1.7 million people and 700,000 households. As one of a number of providers, Jacobs will offer expert services including project management, feasibility studies, site supervision, hydraulic modeling, and business economics...
Also see: "Jacobs Receives U.K. Government Environmental Contract"
• Largest study ever conducted with household water treatment shows that soap and clean drinking water reduce diarrhea by over half -- Follow-up will Provide Safe Drinking Water in Pakistan -- CINCINNATI, May 9, 2006 -- A research study published in the April issue of the international public health journal, Tropical Medicine and International Health, has demonstrated that two simple consumer habits are extremely effective in fighting diarrhea, one of the leading causes of death and illness in children in the developing world. The study followed nearly 9,000 people over nine months in Karachi, Pakistan, slums and examined the impact of two Procter & Gamble products: hand washing with Safeguard® was shown to reduce diarrheal illness by 51% and treating drinking water with PUR Purifier of Water® was shown to reduce diarrheal illness by 64%. Dr. Steve Luby, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, worked with a local non-governmental group, Project Hope in Pakistan, to conduct the study...
• NJAWWA section meets legislators to discuss water issues -- TRENTON, NJ, May 9, 2006 -- Representatives of the New Jersey Section of the American Water Works Association visited the statehouse on May 8 to promote the importance of safe drinking water in New Jersey. During the visit, the group was presented with a proclamation, signed by Gov. Jon Corzine, and presented by Senate President Richard J. Codey, officially acknowledging May 7-13 as "National Drinking Water Week" and calling upon all New Jersey residents to practice wise water use and protect source waters from pollution...
Also see:
-- "AWWA launches 'Only Tap Water Delivers' campaign"
-- "During Drinking Water Week, communities recognize only tap water delivers public health, fire protection"
-- "Water community kicks off National Drinking Water Week"
• HMM engineer receives 2006 Next Generation Award -- ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, May 9, 2006 -- Alexandra Wells, an engineer with Hatch Mott MacDonald, was the recipient of the 2006 Next Generation Award, for an actively participating member of the New Jersey American Water Works Association (NJAWWA) section under age 35. Wells is the current chair of the Section Student Services Committee and a member of the Membership Committee. The award ceremony took place on March 23 during the NJAWWA's Annual Conference...
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In earlier newsbriefs, see: "WaterBriefs: Atlanta-Fulton County Water Resources Commission picks Veolia again" -- Also in this report (May 8, 2006): Severn Trent helps celebrate National Drinking Water Week; Produce Safety & Security International Inc. gets OK to expand product applications; Hydranautics sets new Europe/Middle East leadership; Top Dynasonic sales reps named for 2005; Woodard & Curran releases second edition of Industrial Waste Treatment Handbook; MapFrame, CR'P partner to bring mobile mapping, field automation solutions to Germany; Denver Water picks Exstream Software's Dialogue for CIS solutions...
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