Croda Inc Unveils $2.3 Million Investment in Solar
New Castle, Del. (PRWEB) October 18, 2013 -- Senator Tom Carper, State Representative James Johnson, DNREC Deputy Secretary David Small, Croda International Plc Group Chief Executive Steve Foots and Croda Inc President Kevin Gallagher broke ground yesterday on a $2.3 million solar installation project at the company’s Atlas Point facility in New Castle, Del.
The 777kW project, expected to be completed by year-end, will reside on 2.5 acres of the plant property and will generate approximately 5 percent of the site’s electricity – equivalent to the power consumed by 130 homes. Additionally, the solar panels will reduce the site’s annual CO2 emission by more than 1.381 million pounds – the approximate equivalent of CO2 emitted by 1,345 flights from New York to Los Angeles. Croda has partnered with EnterSolar to procure solar panels manufactured in Delaware and installed by Delaware labor.
The solar installation is one of several sustainability initiatives at Croda’s Atlas Point facility. Earlier in 2013, Croda began channeling methane gas from a nearby landfill to power more than 70 percent of the Atlas Point manufacturing operations with a combined heat and power (CHP) unit. Later this year, the facility expects to receive certification by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil for its advanced initiative to support sustainable palm oil and palm kernel oil derivatives in the manufacture of its specialty ingredients.
“Our objective is to make sustainability a point of differentiation for our business. We are confident this strategy will generate even greater benefits for the environment in which we operate, for the communities of which we are a part, and for the people with whom we work,” said Kevin Gallagher, president, Croda Inc.
Since acquiring the plant in 2006, Croda Inc has invested $100 million in upgrades to the facility. Over the next three years, Croda plans to invest $50 million more in upgrades at Atlas Point to enhance and expand the site.
“From the development of the landfill-gas-to-energy initiative to the installation of its solar panels, Croda has demonstrated time and again its commitment to sustainability here in Delaware,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “I look forward to Croda’s continued investment in the First State."
“I applaud Croda’s investment in Delaware, both environmentally and economically,” said Delaware Governor Jack Markell. “Since acquiring Atlas Point in 2006, Croda has made a substantial investment in upgrading and enhancing the facility to benefit the local community and the environment, and enhance our economy by bringing jobs and business to our state.”
“Earlier this year, Croda powered up its combined heat and power landfill gas system, one of the cleanest and most efficient energy projects in the nation. By year’s end, they will add renewable, sustainable solar power to their energy portfolio,” said Secretary Collin O’Mara of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. “We appreciate their ongoing commitment to using clean, sustainable and locally generated power, and encourage other facilities in Delaware and throughout the region to follow their lead.”
Croda was ranked 25th in the 2013 ”Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations” report, compiled annually by Corporate Knights, a Canadian media organization specializing in corporate sustainability. It is the most extensive data-driven corporate sustainability assessment and is based on the financial, social and environmental performance of nearly 4,000 of the world’s largest listed companies. Initiatives such as the landfill-gas-to-energy project and the solar panel installation at the Atlas Point facility contribute to Croda’s high ranking.
About Croda Inc
Croda Inc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Croda International Plc, a U.K.-based manufacturer and world-wide supplier of natural based specialty chemicals that are sold to virtually every type of industry. Croda Inc is part of Croda’s global network, servicing the specialty chemicals needs in the sectors of Consumer Care (personal care, health care and crop care), Performance Technologies (home care, additives for polymers, polymers and coatings, lubricant additives and processed vegetable oils) and Industrial Chemicals (base oleochemicals). The company has approximately 3400 employees, working in 34 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.croda.com.
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Kathryn Conda, AKCG, +1 856-866-0411 16, [email protected]
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