Q: Regarding the use of recycled material in our process to make new products, we…
Are currently doing that: 11
Plan to start doing that in the next year: 3
Will possibly do that long term: 8
Have no interest in doing that: 2
Perhaps it’s not surprising that many companies attending a sustainability event at an industry conference are already using recycled material in some of their products. But the sheer number indicates that it’s clearly something that can be done. However, we need to collect more information from these companies, including answers to the following questions: Where are these companies getting the recyclate? How is it being processed? How are their markets responding? What is the net cost? How can ACMA help advance this practice?
Q: Regarding reducing the amount of energy that we use in our production operation, we…
Are currently doing that: 12
Plan to start doing that in the next year: 1
Will possibly do that long term: 9
Have no interest in doing that: 0
Compared to other options like reformulating to use low carbon raw materials, reducing the amount of electricity used to make products can be an attractive first step. Many companies are using an Energy Department program that will help identify and then reimburse the cost of energy efficiency improvements (energy.gov/mesc/industrial-research-and-assessment-center-implementation-grants).
Q: Regarding working with current or new suppliers to reduce the climate impacts associated with the manufacture of our raw materials, we…
Are currently doing that: 7
Plan to start doing that in the next year: 5
Will possibly do that long term: 6
Have no interest in doing that: 0
Most of these companies are either working with suppliers now – or soon will be – to evaluate raw materials that are made with reduced climate impacts compared to traditional raw materials. We hear about companies trying natural fibers and resins that are derived, in total or in part, from plants. A near-term project for ACMA is development of comprehensive comparative LCA for these new materials so that composites manufacturers can really determine if the use of these materials is associated with a reduction in climate impacts.
Many composites manufacturers are waiting for customers to tell them what to do about improving the sustainability of their products. This might seem a reasonable approach for small companies, but they risk being left out of rapidly changing markets. The composite manufacturers that are working on this now are likely to have a significant advantage.
John Schweitzer is vice president of EH&S and sustainability at ACMA. Email comments to jschweitzer@acmanet.org.
