Sustainable Manufacturing News

Manufacturing sites achieving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Challenge for Industry have helped save over 56 trillion British thermal units (Btu) in energy, equal to preventing over 11 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and saving enough energy to power nearly 1.3 million homes for a year -- all contributing to protecting people’s health and the environment.

In a time when a number of European companies face considerable economic challenges, Meech International shows no signs of declining growth thanks to a consistently positive performance across all its regions worldwide. With a strong rise in sales over the past year and recent successes at Emballage ‘14 and Labelexpo Americas ’14, the British company is fast establishing itself as a key player in the static elimination sector.

The United States Energy Department today recognized 11 companies that have met ambitious energy-efficiency goals through the Better Buildings, Better Plants Program. Across the country, manufacturers spend more than $200 billion each year to power their plants. Through the Energy Department’s Better Plants Program, American manufacturers commit to improve their energy intensity by 25 percent over ten years, or an equally ambitious level for their sector.

The Motor Decisions Matter campaign of the Consortium for Energy Efficiency announces the release of a new fact sheet on Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs). VFDs are devices that improve the efficiency of electric motor-driven systems by varying motor input frequency and voltage to control motor speed.

The ENERGY STAR Awards are EPA’s highest honors for superior energy efficiency, and several award categories exist. EPA’s ENERGY STAR Industrial Partners could receive either Sustained Excellence or Partner of the Year in the Energy Management category. These awards go to organizations for adopting a continuous energy management strategy across the organization’s entire portfolio of buildings and plants and for communicating the value of ENERGY STAR and energy management broadly.

Aeration systems at wastewater treatment facilities present significant, cost-effective energy savings opportunities. Aeration—the introduction of air into the wastewater stream to support anaerobic bacteria and mixing—is a key function at the majority of wastewater treatment facilities in North America. Aeration accounts for 25-60 percent of total energy consumption at wastewater treatment facilities , and a significant piece of operating budgets sector-wide.

The following Save Energy Now LEADER Companies made a pledge to reduce their energy intensity by 25% or more in 10 years.