Carbon Reductions

What are carbon emissions?

Organizations use fossil fuels to produce energy. The CO2 generated as part of that process is released into the atmosphere. While we know carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants and trees within the natural carbon cycle, industry generally is producing more CO2 than plants and trees can absorb. 

The effect of this CO2 in the atmosphere is that the temperature of our planet is rising. Through process improvements and energy efficiencies, Formica Corporation is working to reduce its contribution to carbon emissions and environmental impacts. 

Formica® Brand products, emissions and energy 

We recognize that reducing reliance on fossil fuels is economically and ecologically imperative—and we, as a corporate citizen, have a responsibility to also investigate renewable sources of energy that have minimal carbon impact and can significantly replace the use of fossil fuels.

By completing a detailed and comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis of our products, Formica Corporation understands the embodied energy required throughout production of all components of our products. This information allows us to set quantitative and qualitative objectives to reduce our energy consumption and therefore, our carbon emission values. Our supply chain partners have also shared with us their energy consumption data for review. 

Current status and activity 

We continuously engage in programs to reduce carbon impacts from our products and processes in all Formica Group facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. These strategies form a global program to reduce our total annual carbon footprint.

We are also a member of the Carbon Disclosure Project, along with other leading global companies that contribute to worldwide initiatives to publicize, understand and reduce the potential effects of carbon emissions.

• Among the current strategies we employ:
• Closed loop press heating systems conserve hot water
• Biomass is used to generate energy at our Cincinnati, OH facility 
• Advanced boiler control systems maximize energy combustion and reduce energy use
• High efficiency compressors and motors for buildings systems and manufacturing equipment
• Energy saving lighting systems
• Efficient freight routes to maximize fuel economy
• Exploration of other renewable energy sources that could effectively be incorporated 
• Formica Corporation has established waste objectives to reduce the quantity of paper and other waste that is sent to landfill (landfill sites generate greenhouse gases).

Learn more about our manufacturing efforts.