Emerson and its businesses are actively pursing a number of initiatives to reduce consumption of energy, minimize pollution emissions (including greenhouse gases), and cultivate recycling programs to conserve resources. Here are a few examples of the activities underway at Emerson during 2006-2007:
Improve energy efficient operations at facilities. In 2007, at the direction of CEO David Farr, the Environmental Affairs Department initiated a program across the company to evaluate the energy efficiency practices at our manufacturing facilities and to identify opportunities to improve. This evaluation is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
Reduce truck fleet impact. Emerson operates a fleet of 245 tractor-trailer vehicles to deliver products and equipment all over the world. The company is currently testing a number of green or conservation initiatives with its Penske vehicles, including:
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Use of new diesel engines that consume ultra-low sulfur diesel. These new diesel engines reduced sulfur emissions from 500 parts per million to 15 parts per million. Test vehicles have seen a 98 percent reduction in NOX and particulate emissions from 1988-2007.
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These newer vehicles also feature improved aerodynamics to reduce wind resistance; use of electronic cruise control to lower engine RPMs; and automatic transmissions – all of which help improve fuel economy.
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Applying Six-Sigma analysis to vehicle performance data to reduce fuel consumption.
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Use of synthetic oils that extends drain intervals by 4:1 over conventional oil.
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Use of auxiliary power units to reduce vehicle idling.
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Wash water is recaptured, filtered and reused.
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Used antifreeze, scrap tires, and spent batteries are recycled
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Low-rolling resistance compounds are used with tires to result in less friction on roadways.
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Test units are also equipped with Absorbed Glass Mat batteries, which won’t spill and are non-hazardous.
Upgrade plant systems to reduce energy use. EGS Electrical Group, a business of Emerson Industrial Automation, manufactures industrial electrical products for specialty applications. To help conserve resources, EGS has several initiatives in place at its plants:
- Synthetic oils are formulated to be non-halogen, or flame resistant.
- Upgrading plant combustion systems on galvanizers has cut gas consumption by 20 percent.
- Modernization and ductile metal conversion has reduced natural gas consumption.
- Gas consumption has been reduced by 2 million cubic feet per year at one of our facilities, through an improved process of air drying varnish for transformers to eliminate oven curing.
Monitor equipment to lower energy use. Fisher, a unit of Emerson Process Management that manufactures control valves for the process industry, opened a new door in energy conservation by keeping closer tabs on its pneumatic equipment.
The division recognized that even though compressed air is not metered, it comes with a cost in terms of operating and maintaining the compressors that produce it. By matching compressor capacity to facility needs and implementing better controls, its plants were able to minimize costly air leaks, improve on space utilization, prolong equipment life, and conserve electricity.
Recycling award for Emerson plant in Missouri. Emerson’s scroll compressor manufacturing facility in Ava, Missouri received the 2006 Missouri Outstanding Business Recycling Award from the Missouri Recycling Association. More than 133 tons of materials are recycled annually with the Douglas County Sheltered Workshop. Materials recycled include cardboard, plastics, and miscellaneous wood waste, like pallets and crates.