LORD Corp. recently announced it has completed the installation of new energy-efficient equipment (including a sustainable management control system) at its Bowling Green, Ky., facility. These improvements are reportedly part of an investment to increase the efficiency and sustainability of production processes, thus better serving the company’s customers and product end-users through reduced environmental impact.

The project included replacing an inefficient chiller with a new high-efficiency 300-ton centrifugal chiller and pump system; replacing a steam generation system with a high-efficiency boiler with enhanced burner controls, oxygen controls and a new deaerator tank; and installing an advanced rubber preheater metering and scheduling system with the ability to analyze and modify system operations for chilled water, compressed air, and steam. The completed project will reportedly result in a reduction of 1,433 metric tons of carbon dioxide output and an annual utility savings of more than $170,000. The total investment in the turnkey installation and commissioning process will have a payback of five and a half years. 

LORD received a $504,000 grant for the project from the Kentucky Department of Energy Development and Independence (DEDI). Selected through a competitive process based on overall project energy savings, LORD is reportedly the only non-government entity thus far to receive this grant funding, due in large part to the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability, in addition to the project’s innovative design.

The grant, also sponsored by the Energy and Environment Cabinet Tennessee Valley Authority Clean Air Act Settlement grant program, provided 50% matching funds for the project. The project was completed in May.

For more information, visit www.lord.com.