TDK Reduces Footprint, Receives EPA Award
On Aug. 19, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Jimmy Palmer recognized TDK Components USA, Inc., as a recipient of the 2008 Performance Track Environmental Performance Award.
TDK is one of two companies in the Southeast and just five nationwide to receive this award. The company also is being recognized for its acceptance to the highest level of the Partnership for a Sustainable Georgia, an environmental leadership program for Georgia businesses.
"We are recognizing TDK for its outstanding commitment to consistently exceed environmental requirements," said Palmer.
"Members of the Partnership for a Georgia such as TDK lead the way in implementing sound environmental practices, while recognizing that what's good for the environment can also be good for the bottom line," said Suzanne Burnes, manager of the Partnership for a Sustainable Georgia.
TDK manufactures multi-layer ceramic chip capacitors at its Peachtree City, Ga., facility. From 2003-2006, TDK achieved the following environmental results while increasing its production by 28 percent:
• Reduced total water use by 38 percent, or more than 1.1 million gallons, by analyzing electroplating process line rinse flow rates.
• Reduced non-transportation energy use by 17 percent and associated greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 700 tons of carbon dioxide, through the installation of a more efficient lighting system, upgrading to more efficient equipment and consolidating operations to two buildings to allow increased time for shutdown.
• Reduced the use of copper paste by 36 percent, nearly 3,500 pounds, and the use of caustic soda by 53 percent, about 21,600 pounds.
"TDK is honored to have been selected among our peers in the industry to receive this prestigious award," said TDK President Masatoshi Fujimoto. "The award represents a confirmation of the numerous improvement activities implemented at TDK in working toward reducing our environmental footprint."