KeyBank

Nielsen

IBM: Reusing IBM Z® and IBM Power® To Avoid Waste

KeyBank Ranks Among Top SBA Lenders in Washington State

Domestic Violence and Mental Health Most Pressing Social Issues for Australian Women According to Nielsen Research

<img alt="People standing together on a red carpet along with a blue mascot, holding awards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7a9b4ad4-7100-4dae-bbc1-0c6e7bc3a0d4" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/shapes-futures-through-stem-education_THE-CHEMOURS-COMPANY_041824.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="900" loading="lazy" />For the team at Chemours, the communities where we operate are also where we live work and play, and our mutual success is one and the same. We invest time and resources in our communities to make a meaningful difference. That’s the driving force behind our <a href="https://www.chemours.com/en/sustainability/2030-goals/community-impact/vibrant-communities" target="_blank">goal of building vibrant communities</a> by investing $50 million in expanding access to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, sustainable environment programs, and safety initiatives. One way we do this is through the Chemours Future of Engineering, Science, Trades, and Technology School Partnership Program (<a href="https://www.chemours.com/en/sustainability/2030-goals/community-impact/vibrant-communities/chemfest" target="_blank">ChemFEST</a>).

Last year, <a href="https://www.chemours.com/en/about-chemours/global-reach/belgium" target="_blank">Chemours Belgium</a> joined hands with Technische Scholen Mechelen (TSM) to establish the company’s first ChemFEST partnership outside of the US. This 3-year agreement was intended to promote the significance of STEM education and inspire students to explore their love for science and technology. Isabel Welters, a Nafion™ Technical Service Specialist at Chemours, led the multi-faceted plan to transform the school's STEM facilities, with plans to inaugurate the refurbished technical lab and classrooms by the second half of 2024.

Beyond the ChemFEST partnership, Welters, in collaboration with the Belgium Chapter of the Chemours Women's Network (CWN), has been integral to other STEM-related activities. An event titled "Str@ffe Madammen" co-organized by Welters and the CWN saw participation from over 150 female students from TSM, who were provided with insights into career opportunities in STEM. Additionally, the team recently hosted a unique STEM day at the Mechelen plant for 40 students, showcasing their Coatings Production facilities and Technical Services.

Back in our headquarters state of Delaware, the Chemours team recently celebrated an important milestone towards the opening of the Chemours STEM Hub at EastSide Charter School in Wilmington. After breaking ground on the facility in February 2023, Chemours team members joined with community partners and school officials to commemorate the placing of the final beam in the 24,000-square-foot facility.

The Hub—expected to open by early 2025—will serve as a premier access point for STEM education and other development opportunities in the Wilmington community. Made possible in part by a $4 million grant from Chemours in 2021 through the ChemFEST program, the Chemours STEM Hub will offer public spaces for learning and improve access for more students from more backgrounds to be exposed to, excited by, and interested in STEM. 

“We know that shaping the world's future requires great innovators and problem solvers from all backgrounds; it’s why we are committed to taking action and championing change toward a more diverse STEM workforce. Through partnerships – like our ChemFEST school partnership program – we’re helping to support future STEM talent by nurturing students and members of communities who have been underserved, under-resourced, and often overlooked,” said Chemours Chief Brand Officer, Alvenia Scarborough.

And earlier this year, the team at our <a href="https://www.chemours.com/en/about-chemours/global-reach/chambers-works" target="_blank">Chambers Works</a> manufacturing site in New Jersey continued a more than three-decades-long tradition of sponsoring the <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/news/chemours-supports-35th-annual-salem-county-new-jersey-science-fair" target="_blank">Salem County Science Fair</a>. This science fair allows students to apply what they have learned in STEM education in hopes of advancing to the Delaware Valley Science Fair and beyond.

Students concentrate on an area of special interest, collecting and analyzing data while following the scientific method and presenting their findings to volunteer judges.

The various winners received a total of $2,500 from Chemours. This event sponsorship is part of a broader $275,000 Vibrant Community grant where the Chambers Works team partners with Salem Community College (SCC) and the local middle schools to support hands-on learning opportunities to instill a lifelong love of STEM.

Brian Boettler, Chemours Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Senior Consultant, leads the partnership on the site's behalf. 

"Partnering with the local schools and community college is rewarding. We all contribute in our own way to help support the next generation, and that is on full display at the Science Fair,” Brian explained.

These are a few examples of Chemours’ commitment to fostering greater interest and diversity in STEM careers by supporting students in our communities. We are proud to play a key role in shaping the future of our industry and making a positive impact on communities by inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.

Chemours Shapes the Future Through STEM Education

<img alt="Volunteers posed in front of a large blue arch outside." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="89d69195-448e-40db-a9b7-452b619fa752" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/BioHolidayPark_fedex_041124.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />When Marja Kienhuis, from the FedEx Express P&amp;E European Road Network team, found out that a vacation park dedicated to helping families who need special accommodations was looking for support, she seized the opportunity.

“Our team is always eager to help people who need it through FedEx Cares. When I heard that the <a href="https://www.biovakantieoord.nl/en/" target="_blank">Bio Holiday Park</a> resort nearby was looking for volunteers to do repairs and improvements on their grounds and buildings, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for us to get involved,” says Marja.

The Bio Holiday Park is a unique vacation spot for families who have children with disabilities. The public spaces and vacation bungalows are fully adapted and have the necessary aids to enable families to enjoy a welcome break in safe surroundings. The resort has an adapted swimming pool, an equestrian center with professional guidance tailored for guests, a real cinema, and a variety of other activities.
<img alt="Volunteers doing landscaping work at a park." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="41a983d7-6619-48e5-a398-270e7b1ed0a7" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/volunteers_fedex_041124.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Last fall, team members from the Netherlands spent an afternoon doing projects like carpentry and maintenance jobs; reinforcing water holes; replacing old woodwork in the forest to ensure wheelchair access and safety; and landscaping, weed pulling, and other outdoor jobs.

“As a team, we greatly value the opportunities FedEx Cares provides to support local communities. For me, volunteering is very rewarding and it’s a pleasure to lend a hand where I can. At the same time it brings us closer as a team,” says Marja.

Vacation Park for Children With Special Needs Gets Makeover From FedEx Netherlands

<img alt="2024 ESG Leadership Awards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1f8bc90-ae26-4d3f-a41f-670add19e09e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024-ESG-Leadership-Awards_The-Conference-Board_041824.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="400" loading="lazy" />April 18, 2024 /CSRwire/ - It’s time to celebrate organizations that have moved beyond their public sustainability commitments by integrating sustainability into their business—making a positive impact on the company, stakeholders, society at large, and the environment. Join us as we honor Corning Incorporated, J.M. Huber Corporation, and Michelin North America during the <a href="https://www.conference-board.org/events/ESG-Leadership-Awards" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">ESG Leadership Awards dinner on May 16 in New York</a>.  
By shining a light on exemplary companies, The Conference Board inspires the broader business community to follow in their footsteps. The dinner will provide support to The Conference Board’s programming and publications specifically focused on a key challenge facing corporations today: defining and determining the ROI of Sustainability ESG.  
If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship and attendance, contact Brian Teagle at <a href="mailto:bteagle@tcb.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">bteagle@tcb.org</a>.  
You can read more about our impressive award recipients <a href="https://www.conference-board.org/events/ESG-Leadership-Awards" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.  
Accepting the award on behalf of their organizations:  
Thomas French  
Board of Directors  Corning Incorporated  
Gretchen McClain  
President &amp; CEO  J.M. Huber  
Alexis Garcin  
President &amp; CEO  Michelin North America, Inc.  Media Contact:  <a href="mailto:jdiblasi@tcb.org" target="_blank">Joe Diblasi</a>

<a href="https://www.conference-board.org/events/ESG-Leadership-Awards" target="_blank">Read More</a>

You’re Invited to the ESG Leadership Awards Dinner

<img alt="A group of children and an adult posed in front of an exhibit with sea creatures." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a474baf7-52d1-4491-9c18-5c2ab2f88be1" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/dropbydrop_LasVegasSands_041624.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="801" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://www.sands.com/news/drop-by-drop-project-partners-make-progress/" target="_blank">Las Vegas Sands</a>

In 2019, Sands and The WASH Foundation (previously the Clean the World Foundation) established the Drop by Drop Project to support innovative water stewardship projects through grants to local environmental champions in Sands’ host communities of Macao and Singapore.

Managed and operated by The WASH Foundation, the Drop by Drop Project supports initiatives that increase local water resiliency, reinvigorate ecosystems, incubate new water solutions and engage the community. Drop by Drop Project partners have reported significant progress on their identified goals for the program this past year.

Macao

The University of Saint Joseph (USJ), the Drop by Drop Project partner in Macao, has used its funding to study the role of mangroves in reducing plastic pollution in coastal wetlands, marking the university’s third year of participation in the program.

Through its latest Drop by Drop Project grant, USJ collected 100 sediment samples along coastal areas in Macao, and preliminary analysis of results show higher amounts of microplastics in the mangrove areas than areas without vegetation, indicating mangroves’ success in entrapping plastic to preserve ecology. The USJ team also measured the impact of water movement on pollution and found that mangrove forests in Macao, particularly areas with more mature trees, are able to attenuate waves.

Both outcomes demonstrate the capacity for mangrove forests to capture plastic pollution and point to the value of nature-based solutions to address environmental issues. USJ is using these results to educate and advocate for the protection of coastal wetlands through community engagement activities such as clean-up programs, native wetland vegetation plantings and educational initiatives. In addition, the university is preparing an article on its research results for peer-reviewed journals, as well as presenting at scientific conferences and meetings.

USJ also invested some of its Drop by Drop Project resources into awareness activities and engaged approximately 40,000 students and community members, including Sands China Team Members, in an array of initiatives. Activities included conducting public lectures about plastic pollution, holding a mangrove planting event in collaboration with the Macao government and creating a mobile exhibit for school visits.

Last June, Sands China hosted USJ’s Sea of Plastic exhibit, which featured installations made from recycled plastic, at The Venetian Macao. Created mostly by local students and artists, art pieces included sculptures of marine and coastal organisms with scientific display boards to provide essential information on the harmful effects of plastic pollution in the oceans.
<img alt="A group of people cleaning a beach." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="511c1e16-f9bf-4f3e-b016-643b560ab5ef" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/beachclean_lasvegassands_041624.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="900" loading="lazy" />Singapore

Conservation International, an organization that supports research, education and awareness about the need to responsibly and sustainably care for natural resources, has been a Drop by Drop Project partner for the past two years. The international nonprofit organization is using its grant funding to advance its Singapore priority on educating youth about the importance of sustainability and empowering them to be advocates for environmental responsibility.

Conservation International used its Drop by Drop Project grant to propel two key programs. First, the grant has enabled the organization to continue its five-part Ocean Conservation Virtual Learning Series, which features educational videos, interactive activities and informational guides to promote ocean conservation literacy and environmental advocacy among youth leaders.

Conservation International also took a big step forward with its advocacy work in Singapore by implementing the inaugural 10 for Zero award program, which identified and empowered 10 Singapore youth leaders who are advocating for a future of net zero carbon emissions and zero waste.

With Drop by Drop Project funding, Conservation International built the award program’s infrastructure and identified the first 10 for Zero recipients, who were honored in a ceremony at Marina Bay Sands last May. Awardees are now working with the nonprofit to curate their experience in the program and will participate in local and international environmental research, climate summits and workshops through December 2024. Conservation International also will connect award recipients to an exclusive network of global conservation experts for mentorship and coaching.

“The Drop by Drop Project is fueling significant contributions to promote sustainability and raise awareness of these organizations’ important work, which has a multiplier effect as more people become educated about environmental issues,” Manohar Shenoy, executive director of The WASH Foundation, said. “Our partnership with Sands as the funder of these leading organizations and their critical priorities has injected resources into Macao and Singapore to propel critical advancements in protecting their local habitats and natural ecology.”

Sands’ support for the Drop by Drop Project is part of the Sands ECO360 global sustainability program, which guides Sands’ work to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable practices in regions around the world.

To learn more about the Drop by Drop Project, visit: <a href="http://cleantheworldfoundation.org/dropbydrop" target="_blank">cleantheworldfoundation.org/dropbydrop</a>. To learn more about Sands ECO360, read the company’s latest ESG report: <a href="https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/" target="_blank">https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/</a>

Drop by Drop Project Partners Make Progress in Advancing Environmental Sustainability Through Grants From Sands

Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP®, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® restaurants, released its 2023 ESG report which speaks to priorities and progress within the focus areas of People, Planet, Food, and Governance. 
“Dine Better, Together is how we describe our intention to combine business growth and competitive strength with our ESG commitments,” says John Peyton, CEO of Dine Brands. “At Dine we remain motivated to provide more than an exceptional dining experience, and we recognize the opportunities to make meaningful impact in the communities that we serve.” 
The 2023 Dine Better, Together report highlights include the following:

<ul><li>Achieved the Great Place to Work Certification™ for the second consecutive year.</li>
	<li>13.6 metric tons of food donated by Dine’s Glendale and Pasadena Restaurant Support Center as well as Applebee's and IHOP U.S. Franchisees and their Distribution Centers.</li>
	<li>$1.7 million raised by Applebee's U.S. franchisees to support Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.</li>
	<li>$708,471 raised by IHOP Puerto Rico and Mexico franchisees as of 2023 to support children's charities.</li>
	<li>$627,000 raised by Fuzzy’s since 2014 for No Kid Hungry.</li>
	<li>565,362 free meals served to U.S. active-duty military and veterans on Veterans Day at Applebee's and IHOP.</li>
	<li>100% Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) free achieved at Applebee’s and IHOP, one year ahead of goal.</li>
	<li>11 million Applebee’s gift cards transitioned from plastic to paper stock, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).</li>
	<li>48 million pieces of IHOP to-go packaging transitioned away from carbon black pigment, which prevented the containers from being recycled.</li>
	<li>35.2% of eggs for U.S. restaurants were cage-free, exceeding the 33% target set for 2023. The company is on track to achieve 100% cage-free eggs in the U.S. by the end of 2025.</li>
</ul> 
The report showcases Dine’s momentum in operating with ESG at the core, driven by our strong partnership with team members, franchisees and their restaurant employees, suppliers, and communities. This year’s publication highlights Dine’s progress and emphasizes the integration of these efforts in alignment with our business operations. 
For more information on the 2023 Dine Better, Together report, please visit <a href="https://www.dinebrands.com/en/social-good" target="_blank">https://www.dinebrands.com/en/social-good</a>. About Dine Brands Global, Inc. 
Based in Pasadena, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries and franchisees, supports and operates restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP®, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® brands. As of December 31, 2023, these three brands consisted of over 3,500 restaurants across 18 international markets. Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world and in 2022 expanded into the Fast Casual segment. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website located at <a href="https://www.dinebrands.com/" target="_blank">www.dinebrands.com</a>.

###

Media Contact: 
Lauren Costabile 
Dine Brands Communications <a href="mailto:MediaInquiries@dinebrands.com" target="_blank">MediaInquiries@dinebrands.com</a>

Dine Brands Releases 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report

<img alt="SR23 Report cover collage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cdfc7ad2-92ea-4b40-89fa-c771e308cb03" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/SR23-report-alert-visual-final.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="1584" loading="lazy" />At Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, we are committed to tackling some of the most critical global challenges facing us today. Our efforts to create a fairer, healthier and more sustainable world center around three main goals: achieving human progress for more than one billion people through sustainable science and technology, fully integrating sustainability into our value chains, and becoming climate neutral while reducing resource consumption. Our <a href="https://www.emdgroup.com/en/sustainability-report/2023/" target="_blank">2023 Sustainability Report</a> details our encouraging progress toward meeting these goals. Our ongoing commitments to climate and environmental action 
In 2023, we continued on our path toward achieving <a href="https://www.emdgroup.com/en/sustainability-report/2023/environment/climate-action.html" target="_blank">climate-neutral operations</a> across our value chain by 2040. We decreased our direct and indirect emissions across scopes 1 and 2 by 17% compared to the previous year. At the same time, we increased the global share of electricity we procured from renewable sources to over 50%, progressing toward our target of 80% by 2030. The Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs) we have in place mean that by 2025, renewable energy certificates will cover 100% of our electricity purchases in Europe, 90% in North America and 70% in all other regions. 
In addition, we enhanced our <a href="https://www.emdgroup.com/en/sustainability-report/2023/strategy-management.html" target="_blank">sustainability strategy</a> by intensifying our focus on biodiversity and a circular economy. For example, we conducted comprehensive biodiversity impact assessments for our sites, which will provide a baseline for further quantitative analysis. These efforts help us to more effectively prioritize future biodiversity initiatives and restore our natural environment. As part of working toward a circular economy, we have set a new target of achieving a 70% circularity rate across our entire Group by 2030. Diversity, equity and inclusion – empowering women in management positions 
We remain committed to fostering <a href="https://www.emdgroup.com/en/sustainability-report/2023/employees/diversity-equity-inclusion.html" target="_blank">diversity and equity</a> and creating a genuinely inclusive culture for all employees. We reinforced this commitment with our goal to achieve gender parity in management positions globally by 2030. In this year’s report, we are pleased to announce we increased the share of women in management roles to an all-time high of 39%. Sustainability in our supply chains – driving change across the industry 
We are continually working to make our <a href="https://www.emdgroup.com/en/sustainability-report/2023/business-ethics/suppliers/supply-chain-management.html" target="_blank">value chains</a> more sustainable. One of the key first steps has been gaining a better understanding of our global supplier network. Two-thirds of our suppliers now have a valid sustainability assessment, a significant improvement compared to 46% the previous year. Additionally, in 2023, we began including primary greenhouse gas emission data from service providers (scope 3.1) in our calculations. We also continuously strive to create more sustainable innovations and technologies for our customers. For example, in our Life Science business sector, we grew our Greener Alternative Products portfolio to 2,500 products in 2023, a 34% increase from the previous year. Access to medicines – continuing the fight against schistosomiasis 
For the last 15 years, we have been on a dedicated mission to eliminate the neglected tropical disease <a href="https://www.emdgroup.com/en/sustainability-report/2023/products/health-for-all/global-health.html" target="_blank">schistosomiasis</a>. In 2023, we donated over two billion Praziquantel tablets and supported various programs that combat this dangerous parasitic illness in Sub-Saharan Africa and other tropical areas. In addition, we treated 84 million patients and secured approval for an innovative pediatric treatment designed for young children aged three months to six years. Thanks to these milestones and our ongoing collaboration with strong, long-term partners, we are steadily progressing toward eliminating schistosomiasis as a public health concern by 2030. Sharing sustainability insights 
Transparently communicating our sustainability efforts helps to maintain the trust of our patients, customers, partners, employees and suppliers. Therefore, our 2023 Sustainability Report provides an interactive experience using a variety of digital formats. In <a href="https://www.emdgroup.com/en/sustainability-report/2023/stories.html" target="_blank">a unique story section</a> of the report, we highlight a broad range of hands-on topics and projects on issues such as Green Chemistry, digital ethics in AI, sustainability in R&amp;D and access to health, illustrating our commitment to sustainable progress. 
We prepared our 2023 Sustainability Report in accordance with the 2021 GRI Standards. The report also reflects the requirements of the <a href="https://www.emdgroup.com/en/sustainability-report/2023/facts-figures/sasb-index.html" target="_blank">SASB standards</a> and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (<a href="https://www.emdgroup.com/en/sustainability-report/2023/facts-figures/tcfd-index.html" target="_blank">TCFD</a>). Our <a href="https://www.emdgroup.com/en/annualreport/2023/management-report/non-financial-statement.html" target="_blank">non-financial statement</a>, in accordance with the German Commercial Code (HGB) and applicable <a href="https://www.emdgroup.com/en/annualreport/2023/management-report/non-financial-statement/further-topics/reporting-in-accordance-with-the-eu-taxonomy-regulation.html" target="_blank">EU Taxonomy Regulation disclosures</a>, forms part of our 2023 Annual Report. About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany 
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. Around 63,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2023, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 21 billion in 65 countries. 
The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark “Merck” internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company’s technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Social Media: 
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/emdgroup" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/emdgroup</a> 
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/EMDGroup" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/EMDGroup</a> 
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/emd-affiliates-of-merck-kgaa-darmstadt-germany" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/emd-affiliates-of-merck-kgaa-darmstadt-germany</a> 
YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/MerckKGaADarmstadtGermany" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/c/MerckKGaADarmstadtGermany</a> Media Contact Info: <a href="mailto:judith.rahner@merckgroup.com" target="_blank">Judith Rahner</a>: 
+49 6151 72 7694 <a href="mailto:timo.breiner@merckgroup.com" target="_blank">Timo Breiner</a>: 
+49 151 1454 2512

<a href="https://www.emdgroup.com/en/sustainability-report/2023/" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Harnessing Science and Technology for a Fairer, Healthier and More Sustainable World

For the team at Chemours, the communities where we operate are also where we live work and play, and our mutual success is one and the same. We invest time and resources in our communities to make a meaningful difference. 

<img alt="Achievement is a significant step on road to near net-zero carbon emissions facilities in CertainTeed Siding ." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b9812d7d-02c4-4642-b0ae-ba62af1920b3" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Manufacturing%20Emissions_Saint-Gobain_4.15.24A.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/company/newsroom/news-releases/saint-gobain-reduces-manufacturing-related-emissions-96-three" target="_blank">Originally published on Saint-Gobain Newsroom</a>

April 22, 2024 /CSRwire/ - Saint-Gobain, through its building materials subsidiary CertainTeed Siding, announced that it has achieved a 96% reduction (Scopes 1 &amp; 2 only) in emissions from the manufacturing of polymer shakes, vinyl trim, millwork, and vinyl siding at its manufacturing facilities in McPherson, Kansas, Social Circle, Georgia, and Williamsport, Maryland, respectively. With fully electrified processes and 100% of the electricity used backed by renewable energy credits (RECs), Saint-Gobain has taken a significant step in its mission to provide low carbon siding products to the US market and reduce its environmental footprint.

This ambitious project comes as the company continues to successfully execute its global Grow and Impact strategy which commits to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and includes aggressive sustainability goals for reduction of energy and water use, landfill contributions, and increased use of recycled raw material. The current energy project by the Siding business complements the company’s<a href="https://www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/company/newsroom/news-releases/saint-gobain-signs-new-major-renewable-electricity-supply-agreement" target="_blank"> three existing Power Purchase Agreements</a> that will provide enough renewable electricity to cover over 70% of the electricity demand at all of Saint-Gobain’s industrial sites in North America when fully on line by 2025.

With the production processes now powered by renewable energy at the initial three facilities, the business is working to eliminate remaining sources of emissions not directly related to production, such as natural gas for plant heating and propane for forklift trucks. That work will result in fully net-zero facilities within the next few years, and Saint-Gobain will expand the program to additional Siding manufacturing sites. In addition to emissions reduction, pursuit of Saint-Gobain’s sustainability goals through multiple projects within the Siding Group has resulted in significant reductions in water use and discharge, and landfill contributions, including <a href="https://www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/company/newsroom/news-releases/saint-gobain-installs-smart-water-submetering-system-and-upgrades" target="_blank">the 50% reduction of water consumption (over 9 million gallons) by its Jackson, Michigan</a> facility resulting from the installation of a smart water submetering system and upgraded production equipment.

“As a leader in light and sustainable construction, we must focus on ensuring our manufacturing practices are as sustainable as possible, and our efforts toward achieving a near net-zero production process for Scopes 1 and 2 emissions in McPherson, Social Circle and Williamsport are a giant step forward as we continue this work,” said Joe Bondi, Vice President and General Manager of CertainTeed Siding. “These achievements are a shining example of how we can continue to provide quality products to our customers while committing to sustainable business practices. I thank every member of the team for their work to make this progress possible and for your dedication to our purpose ---'Making the World a Better Home.”’

This project follows several other recent actions taken by the company to solidify its commitment towards sustainability:

<ul><li>In September, Saint-Gobain announced that it <a href="https://www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/company/newsroom/news-releases/saint-gobain-signs-new-major-renewable-electricity-supply-agreement" target="_blank">signed a 15-year, 100 MW power purchase agreement with TotalEnergies for the purchase of solar power</a>, expected to offset Saint-Gobain North America’s CO2 emissions from electricity by 90,000 metric tons per year.</li>
	<li>In August, Saint-Gobain announced a <a href="https://www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/company/newsroom/news-releases/saint-gobain-creates-circular-economy-program-scrap-finished-goods" target="_blank">circular economy initiative in its Ceramics business</a>, where scrap finished goods from its Bryan, Texas facility are sent to other Saint-Gobain Ceramics plants to be reused in production, instead of ending in landfills.</li>
	<li>In July, the company announced <a href="https://www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/company/newsroom/news-releases/saint-gobain-upgrades-key-equipment-its-athens-georgia-insulation" target="_blank">upgrades at its CertainTeed Insulation plant in Athens, Georgia</a>, which is projected to save over 7,300 MWh of energy and 20 million gallons of water annually, while reducing landfill waste by over 5,000 MT.</li>
	<li>Also in July, Saint-Gobain announced <a href="https://www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/company/newsroom/news-releases/saint-gobain-save-over-50-million-pounds-co2-emissions-year-opening" target="_blank">the opening of a new CertainTeed Architectural facility in Conyers, Georgia</a>, which will be co-located with finishing partner QPC, allowing the company to drastically reduce the distance products must travel to finalize production, reducing carbon emissions by over 50 million pounds per year.</li>
	<li>In June, Saint-Gobain announced that it had been <a href="https://www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/company/newsroom/news-releases/saint-gobain-awarded-2023-seal-business-sustainability-award-montreal" target="_blank">awarded a 2023 SEAL Business Sustainability Award</a> for its work to create the first “net zero-carbon” gypsum wallboard facility for scope 1 and 2 emissions in North America at its plant outside Montreal, Quebec.</li>
</ul>With over 145 manufacturing locations in the United States and Canada, every current and future member of the company’s team plays a vital role in achieving its sustainability goals. A current list of job openings at all Saint-Gobain locations, including in McPherson, Social Circle and Williamsport, can be found on <a href="https://careers.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/career-search/?pg=1" target="_blank">the company’s career website</a>.

About CertainTeed

With innovative building solutions made possible through its comprehensive offering of interior and exterior products, CertainTeed is transforming how the industry builds. As leaders in building science and sustainable construction, CertainTeed makes it easier than ever to create high-performance, energy-efficient places to live, work and play, so that together we can make the world a better home.  
A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world's largest and oldest building products companies, CertainTeed has more than 6,900 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The group had total sales of approximately $5.6 billion in 2021. <a href="http://www.certainteed.com/" target="_blank">www.certainteed.com</a>

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€47.9 billion in sales in 2023 160,000 employees, locations in 76 countries  Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 

Media Contact:  
Saint-Gobain in North America:  
Peter Clark  
Saint-Gobain Corporate Communications  <a href="mailto:Media@saint-gobain.com" title="Email Media@saint-gobain.com">Media@saint-gobain.com</a>

For more details on Saint-Gobain, visit <a href="http://www.saint-gobain.com/" target="_blank">www.saint-gobain.com</a> and follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/saintgobain" target="_blank">@saintgobain</a>.

Saint-Gobain, through its building materials subsidiary CertainTeed Siding,  announced that it has achieved a 96% reduction (Scopes 1 &amp; 2 only) in emissions from the manufacturing of polymer shakes, vinyl trim, millwork, and vinyl siding at its manufacturing facilities.

Saint-Gobain Reduces Manufacturing-Related Emissions by 96% at Three Exterior Products Manufacturing Facilities in the United States

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PLANO, Texas, April 22, 2024 /CSRwire/ - Pizza Hut has a long history of adding craveable goodness to its food, and that includes one of its most important ingredients – its cheese. To invest in making its cheese more sustainable, the brand partnered with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a farmer-owned cooperative owned by more than 10,000 farm families, to provide select farmers in the U.S. with technology and data to help reduce on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The collaboration is producing positive results among participating farmers including a 10% decrease in GHG emissions intensity from the milk used in the production of Pizza Hut cheese.

“At Pizza Hut, we’ve always been focused on bringing the best pizza possible to our customers, starting with key ingredients like our cheese,” said Rachel Antalek, Pizza Hut Global Chief Food Innovation Officer. “In partnership with DFA, we’re further investing in making our cheese more sustainable and are very excited to see positive results in reducing our emissions at the farm level, by putting more good into our pizza.”

When the partnership began in 2022, Pizza Hut set a goal to source 50% of the dairy used to make its pizza cheese in the U.S. from dairy farms participating in a sustainability project, including enrollment in the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Environmental Stewardship (FARM ES) program by 2025. The brand met this goal two years early in 2023, achieving 60% of its sourced milk from farms participating in the FARM ES program. That equates to over 2.35 billion pounds of milk from approximately 140,000 milking cows.

<center><iframe allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="https://www.3blmedia.com/sites/default/files/2024-04/2-PH-Sustainable-Dairy-V2_YumBrands_042224.mp4" width="100%"></iframe></center>

“DFA farmer-owners have always been focused on taking care of their animals and the land they farm. Companies like Pizza Hut are helping DFA bring more technologies to more farms, which helps to further reduce emissions,” said Jackie Klippenstein, Senior Vice President and Chief Government and Industry Relations Officer at DFA. “By working together with partners like Pizza Hut, our farmer-owners can continue to build on the good work they have been doing in new ways.”

Technology and data play a key role in the program. To determine the dry matter components of a cow’s diet – or what is left of cow feed after all the water is evaporated – farmers receive a SCiO cup. This cup moves testing out of the lab and directly onto the farm, which can help farmers more easily manage feed ingredients and optimize the cow’s diets. Using the information collected by the SCiO cup allows farmers to better deliver precise nutrition to their cows, which leads to a reduction in methane emissions and waste.

As work in the U.S. continues, the brand is applying its learnings to other markets around the world. This includes identifying and then working closely with sector partners and suppliers who have shared goals around energy reduction and sustainable practices.

“With almost 20,000 restaurants, we’re leveraging our iconic pizza brand and global footprint to scale innovative and sustainable practices across our business to keep amplifying and integrating good,” said James Watts, Pizza Hut Global Chief People &amp; ESG Officer. “We’re very proud of the work happening in our U.S market with DFA and have taken these learnings to new locations and other partners as we deepen our investments in sustainably sourced cheese.”

In New Zealand, Pizza Hut is kicking off a three-year project that will focus on farm efficiency improvements. Similar to the U.S. project, it aims to reduce on-farm GHG emissions by helping dairy farmers identify opportunities for efficiency gains through the adoption and use of farm reporting software. In the United Kingdom, the two-year project aims to reduce methane production in cows by improving the quality of the feed that’s given to the cows used to make the milk in the cheese supplied to Pizza Hut.

All of these projects are part of the broader climate strategy led by Pizza Hut and its parent company Yum! Brands, which includes a commitment to decrease GHG emissions 46% by 2030 with a focus on restaurants and supply chain. The work also supports the brand’s partners in achieving their sustainability goals, like DFA’s commitment to achieve a 30% emissions reduction across its supply chain by 2030.

For more information, visit <a href="https://www.pizzahut.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pizzahut.com</a> and <a href="https://www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/citizenship-and-sustainability" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">yum.com/citizenship</a>.
<img alt="Yum! Brands logo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8022940-c99a-4ff6-b40c-d135e932ad11" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/logo_YumBrands_042224.jpeg" width="200" class="align-center" height="452" loading="lazy" />Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc (NYSE: YUM), was founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas, by brothers Dan and Frank Carney. Since then, Pizza Hut has earned a reputation as a trailblazer in innovation with the creation of icons like Original® Pan and Original® Stuffed Crust pizzas. In 1994, a Pizza Hut pizza was the very first online food order. Today, Pizza Hut continues leading the way in the digital and technology space with over half of transactions worldwide coming from digital orders. Pizza Hut is committed to providing an easy pizza experience – from <a href="https://www.pizzahut.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">order</a> to <a href="https://www.pizzahut.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">delivery</a> – and has Hut Rewards®, the Pizza Hut loyalty program that offers points for every dollar spent on <a href="https://www.pizzahut.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">food</a> any way you order. A global leader in the pizza category, Pizza Hut operates more than 18,000 restaurants in over 100 countries. Through its enormous presence, Pizza Hut works to unlock opportunity for its team members and communities around the world. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.pizzahut.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.pizzahut.com</a>. You can remain up to date on what’s happening at Pizza Hut by following us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pizzahutus/?brand_redir=321935321302049" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/pizzahut" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pizzahut/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@pizzahut?lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TikTok</a> and subscribing to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/pizzahut" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube</a> channel.

Contacts 
Chelsea Mack, Pizza Hut Public Relations, 972-338-7844

Pizza Hut has a long history of adding craveable goodness to its food, and that includes one of its most important ingredients – its cheese. 

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