We leverage the MS-168 program as we work to reduce emissions and lower our carbon footprint. MS-168 incentivizes facilities to implement energy-efficient processes and technologies, and then identify sustainable options when consolidating plants and making improvements. When we design and update facilities and purchase new equipment, we look at both energy consumption and energy sources as opportunities for operational improvement and emissions reduction.
Environmental, health and safety (EHS) leadership provides guidance in the development of sustainable solutions. The team has developed a wide range of initiatives in this area, including retrofitting lighting at plants and distribution centers with energy-efficient LED alternatives.
Plant Audits
We review the effectiveness of our EHS protocols and determine actionable steps to improve performance through a comprehensive EHS audit program conducted by a qualified third-party firms. The program consists of:
- Targeted environmental compliance audits
- Health and safety compliance audits
- Property risk/fire protection audits
- Product stewardship and chemical compliance audits (added in 2023)
These audits serve as a resource for local managers to improve EHS and Product Stewardship program outcomes and ensure compliance with standards set forth by governing agencies, RPM and industry best practices.
Each year, these various EHS audits are performed on more than 40% of our worldwide manufacturing and distribution locations on a rolling basis. Our audit escalation mechanisms consist of direct involvement from our center-led EHS and operations teams, database tracking of findings and remediation plans and immediate resource mobilization for any identified high-risk scenarios.
HIGHLIGHT
In 2023, RPM hosted Process Safety Management (PSM) Boot Camp Training at our headquarters in Medina, Ohio. Thirty engineering, maintenance and EHS personnel representing all four operating segments attended. In addition, we hosted a PHA (Process Hazard Analysis) Leader Training program for engineering team members from across our European operations in the Fall of 2023. As a result of the PSM Bootcamp and PHA Leader training programs, the operations teams at DayGlo Color, Kirker Enterprises and Wood Finishes Group are applying what they learned to revamp their respective PSM programs for their manufacturing plants.
Climate change and the evolving energy landscape require us to consider and adopt more resilient and sustainable operating practices. As part of our MAP MS-168 manufacturing efficiency initiative, we consolidated capacity into a more efficient footprint, which has helped us significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and use of energy, waste and water.
Stonhard is making significant improvements in process safety and efficiency, developing solutions that enable it to recycle the solvent used in manufacturing processes. Through these efforts, Stonhard is reducing environmental impacts and costs while also enabling associates to work safely and efficiently.
Our Viapol facility in Brazil uses a wood chip burning system, replacing natural gas with byproducts from the region’s timber industry. Transitioning to biomass has reduced GHG emissions related to this process from 6,250 tons in 2013 to 740 tons in 2021.
Euclid Chemical Toxement installed 170 solar panels to provide power to its Research and Development Center in Tocancipá, Colombia, resulting in a 12% savings in general energy consumption and reduced carbon dioxide generation of nearly 35,000 kg per year. This installation has also improved the resiliency of the energy supply to keep critical R&D equipment running.
