24 Sep 2008
Owens Corning Continues Environmental Footprint Reduction with Upgrades to More Energy Efficient, Lower Emitting Technology
Upgrades Include Composite Plants in China, India, Spain, Italy and the United States
Shanghai, China – Sept. 19, 2008– At the China Composites Show in Shanghai, China, Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) today announced that it is continuing conversion of its composite glass manufacturing facilities to its patented Advantex® technology platform. The platform offers a higher performing glass fiber and a significantly smaller environmental manufacturing footprint compared with standard E-glass composite processes. Key environmental and product benefits include:
o Emission reductions of more than 40 percent carbon dioxide, 75 percent nitrogen oxide, 40 percent sulfur oxides, and up to 90 percent particulates
o More than a 35 percent reduction in energy consumption
o No Fluorine
o Improved product corrosion resistance
o Better product performance in aqueous environments
o Higher softening-point temperatures and higher tensile modulus
Before its recent acquisition of Saint-Gobain’s reinforcements and composite fabrics businesses, Owens Corning had already converted nearly 80 percent of its composite plants to Advantex® technology, and in this new phase, is extending the conversion program to the additional facilities that came with the purchase. Facilities in Hangzhou, China; Alcala, Spain; Thimmapur, India; and Anderson, South Carolina, in the United States have recently been converted. Plant conversions in Doudian, China, and Vado, Italy, will be completed by the end of 2009.
“This technology and these conversions are great for our company, our customers, and our planet,” said Frank O’Brien-Bernini, chief sustainability officer for Owens Corning. “Our results in reducing the environmental footprint and energy intensity of our manufacturing facilities underscores our commitment to greening our operations while providing products that benefit our customers.”
“These conversions allow us to truly deliver on the full promise of realizing the synergies of the acquisition by not only reducing our environmental footprint, but also ensuring we have a more global manufacturing platform to better service our customers with a high-performing product,” added Chuck Dana, group president of Owens Corning Composite Solutions.
With the acquired Saint-Gobain reinforcements and composite fabrics businesses, the Owens Corning Composite Solutions business now has 42 production facilities in 16 countries and more than 9,000 employees.
Reader enquiries
Owens Corning Composite Solutions BusinessOwens Corning World Headquarters
One Owens Corning Parkway
Toledo, Ohio 43659
United States
+1 419 248 5939
www.owenscorning.com
Notes for editors
About Owens Corning
Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) is a leading global producer of residential and commercial building materials, glass fiber reinforcements and engineered materials for composite systems. A Fortune 500 company for 54 consecutive years, Owens Corning is committed to driving sustainability through delivering solutions, transforming markets and enhancing lives. Founded in 1938, Owens Corning is a market-leading innovator of glass fiber technology with sales of $5 billion in 2007 and 18,000 employees in 26 countries on five continents. Additional information is available at www.owenscorning.com.
