Apr 11 2014
SC Johnson announced that its innovative use of renewable energy in Indonesia cut more than 13,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions last year. Using waste products as an energy source, the company's innovative use of biofuels at its Medan and Surabaya facilities demonstrates the company's commitment to minimizing its environmental footprint and contributes to its overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
"We're constantly looking for innovative ways to use renewable energy around the globe, and the work done at our Indonesia facilities demonstrates this commitment," said Kelly M. Semrau, Chief Sustainability Officer at SC Johnson. "We're committed to pushing ourselves, reducing our environmental footprint, and increasing our use of renewable energy in Indonesia and around the world."
Innovative Solutions and Measurable Results
SC Johnson identified and implemented two innovative solutions that use waste products as a fuel source. Since 2007, the company's Medan plant has been using waste palm shells as a fuel source to heat water, reducing local diesel fuel use by 80 percent and cutting 6,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2012, the company's Surabaya facility undertook a biofuel initiative to heat water used in mosquito coil production. Due to nearby agricultural waste, the company initially looked at extending its use of palm shells. However, rice husks were in abundant supply and located closer to the plant. The use of rice husks resulted in reduced transport, less fuel, lower costs and fewer emissions. Since implementing this initiative, the facility has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 7,090 metric tons.
Renewable Energy Around the World
In addition to the biofuel projects in Indonesia, SC Johnson's renewable energy initiatives span the globe:
- Two 415-foot wind turbines at the company's largest global manufacturing facility in Mt. Pleasant, Wis. have cut 6,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually and have produced nearly 8 million kilowatts (KWh) of electricity since December 2012 -- enough energy to power 700 homes over the course of a year.*
- Solar projects in Shanghai, China provide hot water heating for several company operations and cut 70 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.*
- A wind power initiative in Toluca, Mexico enables the facility to receive 86 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, which cuts 3,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.*
- The company's first owned wind turbine in Mijdrecht, The Netherlands was installed in 2009 and now generates 50 percent of the electricity for the local facility while cutting 2,100 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.*
*GHG data represents annual savings.