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C&A Floorcoverings Uses Renewable Energy Source as Fuel
C&A Floorcoverings Uses Renewable Energy Source as Fuel
Published 12-11-06
Submitted by Tandus Group
DALTON, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 2006--C&A Floorcoverings, a Tandus company, is meeting the goals of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by replacing diesel used in its commercial boilers with 100% biodiesel, a renewable energy source manufactured by Soymet(TM), LLC. Congress, in an attempt to combat growing energy problems, passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, with the goal of establishing a comprehensive, long-range energy policy for traditional energy production as well as newer, more efficient energy technologies, and conservation. C&A is the first and only carpet manufacturer to date to use biodiesel as an energy source and, since it began using biodiesel in February 2006, 11% of its total energy is from renewable sources.
"Biodiesel is significantly cleaner than petroleum based diesel in almost every pollutant category. It results in lower greenhouse gas emissions, is biodegradable and reduces our company's dependence on imported oil," said Lee Schilling, Senior Vice President, Tandus. "For four decades, we've been a leader in environmental innovation. Tandus Technologies, our research and development group, has been evaluating alternative and renewable energy sources for a number of years. Using biodiesel in our own facilities creates a meaningful environmental impact."
By recycling waste vegetable cooking oils and grease from local restaurants, C&A is able to use a waste stream normally destined for the landfill as a fuel for manufacturing. Not only does using biodiesel as a 100% replacement for fuel oil lessen C&A's dependence on imported oil, but it also reduces the company's:
-- Carbon dioxide emissions (CO2), a greenhouse gas, by 78%
-- Particulate emissions by 48%
-- Air toxics by 60-90%
-- Hydrocarbon emissions by 67%
-- Sulfate emissions by 100%, and
-- Polycyclic aromatics (PACs), resulting in significant reductions in carcinogens
A form of "biomass" energy, biodiesel can be made from soybean or canola (rapeseed) oils, animal fats, waste vegetable oils or microalgae oils. Because biodiesel is not petroleum based, it reduces the United State's dependence on finite and nonrenewable foreign oil supplies.
Biodiesel is essentially nontoxic, biodegradable and safe to handle, transport and store. It does not ignite as easily as petrodiesel, which increases the margin of safety in fuel handling. Additionally, every gallon of biodiesel used reduces the hazard of toxic petroleum product spills from oil tankers and pipeline leaks, the risk of groundwater contamination from underground gasoline storage tanks and runoff of vehicle engine oil and fuel. In 2000, biodiesel became the only alternative fuel in the country to have successfully completed the EPA-required Tier I and Tier II health effects testing under the Clean Air Act, determining that biodiesel does not pose a threat to human health. It also reduces visible smoke, odors and toxic emissions associated with petrodiesel.
Biobased products and Bioenergy technology have the potential to make affordable electricity, fuel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and other materials. These technologies can create new markets for farm and waste products, new economic opportunities for underused land and new value-added business opportunities.
Tandus Technologies, the company's research and development group, continues to search for new sciences and materials for all aspects of carpet manufacturing. This group conducts research, standards work, subject matter expertise consulting and provides advisory services to Tandus senior management and technical leaders. Through partnerships with industry leaders, such as Cargill Dow and top universities, Tandus is exploring bio-based polymer extrusion and nano technology, to affect the way carpet performs as well to make it a functioning and contributing part of a full building environment.
About Tandus
Tandus unites the industry's leading specialized commercial flooring brands - Monterey, C&A, and Crossley -- to offer its customers single-source innovative product design and technology, comprehensive services, and environmental leadership. Based in Dalton, Ga., Tandus is a leading commercial floorcoverings company. More information can be found online at www.tandus.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2006
