At Bakelite, we are dedicated to developing environmentally responsible technologies and understand the importance of reducing our environmental impact. Our commitment to sustainability is deeply integrated into our business strategy, operations, and risk management.
Bakelite is committed to achieving a 10% reduction in water use intensity by 2030.
How We Conserve Water at Bakelite
All Bakelite facilities have robust stormwater management practices, and most of our sites also recover and reuse a large amount of process water.
- Eugene, OR – More than 90% of the water used for manufacturing processes is recycled water. This includes between 9 and 12 million pounds (1.1-1.5 million gallons or 4.2-5.7 million liters) of wash water and byproduct distillate delivered from our Albany site, as well as captured stormwater.
- Albany, OR – More than a third of our water consumption comes from recycled sources. This includes 3.1 million pounds (370,000 gallons or 1.4 million liters) of city water and 1.7 million pounds (200,000 gallons or 750,000 liters) wash water for resin manufacturing.
- Lantaron, Spain – Reusing molecule-rich byproduct water in the manufacturing of new Bakelite products is saving on the disposal of more than 350 metric tons of wastewater annually.
Our Latest Efforts
- Kitee, Finland – An innovative project to reuse water from cleaning processes is underway. The initiative has the potential to help reuse 300 tons of water annually.
- Louisville, KY – Installed a new chiller in the Specialty Plant. The chiller will save more than 50 million pounds (6 million gallons or 22 million liters) of city water per year.
Research and Development Efforts
In 2023, Bakelite began studying water scarcity forecasts for each plant location so we could best create water management plans. Additionally, a pilot project involved mapping and mass balancing water sources at two sites, one in the U.S. and one in Europe. A global Climate Risk Assessment is underway to evaluate the potential long-term impacts of water scarcity.
Our 2030 Goals
Bakelite is committed to achieving a 10% reduction in water use intensity by 2030. By integrating sustainability goals into every aspect of our operations and continuously seeking innovative solutions, we are poised to create a more sustainable future.
At Bakelite, sustainability is not just a goal; it’s a core value that drives our actions and decisions every day. We are proud of our progress and remain dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment. Read more about sustainability goals in our Sustainability Report.
