Our Goal in Purchasing Renewable Energy

Formica Group continues its dedication to more sustainable business practices by identifying ways to reduce overall energy consumption as well as promoting renewable energy use in its manufacturing facilities. The goal is to encourage other industry leaders to follow suit and collectively lower global warming emissions on a large scale.

Promoting Overall Efficiency and Renewable Energy Use

There are many opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of industrial equipment through the use of modern technology and intelligent system design. Replacing motors and pumps with new, high-efficiency designs, storing and recycling heat within a closed-loop system, and optimizing the integrated manufacturing system are examples of ways to reduce energy consumption.

Formica® laminate sheets and related products are produced in plants that use electricity to run everything from production equipment and cutting machines to HVAC systems and lights. Our manufacturing plants in Cincinnati, Ohio, and St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada rely on 100% renewable electricity to power operations.

How Does Renewable Energy Work?

We’ve all heard of ‘the grid.’ This includes all power available for use in a defined geographic area from both renewable sources (e.g., hydroelectric, wind and solar power) and nonrenewable sources (e.g., natural gas, coal and other fossil fuels). The proportion of energy from renewable and nonrenewable sources is different for each grid.

Because the electricity in most grids isn’t exclusively from renewable energy sources, there’s a marketplace concept based on supply and demand. The more businesses that purchase renewable energy, the stronger the system becomes. In the U.S., Formica Group purchases Guarantees of Origin (GO) certificates for certified hydroelectric power for its plant in Cincinnati.

In Quebec, hydroelectricity has been a mainstay for decades. Formica Group’s plant in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu has long used hydroelectricity, and today relies on it for its electricity needs.

Formica Group’s Commitment to Sustainability

Formica Group is proud to be evolving its business practices and looking at everyday processes in new ways to help protect the planet. We will continue to share updates on our progress via our website and annual position paper as we work toward reducing our carbon footprint. Learn more about our approach to sustainability and other initiatives, including our new sample recycling program.