TDK Receives EPA Award for Reducing Its Metro Atlanta Manufacturing Facility’s Environmental Footprint

Today, EPA 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. TDK is also being recognized for their 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 Jimmy Palmer, EPA Regional Administrator. “This has allowed TDK to continuously improve on its environmental performance and reduce its environmental footprint.”

”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.”

Since the program’s inception in June 2000, Performance Track membership has grown to more than 500 facilities in 49 states and Puerto Rico, and members have made more than 3,500 commitments to the environment. Through their combined environmental efforts, Performance Track member facilities have reported cumulative reductions in water use of 5.2 billion gallons, greenhouse gas reductions of 309,780 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, increases in use of recycled materials in production by 559,991 tons and conservation of 16,809 acres of habitat. Many members’ achievements address issues that are vital to the health of our planet, but are not covered by current regulations.

The Performance Track program recognizes and drives environmental excellence by encouraging facilities with strong environmental records to go above and beyond their legal requirements. Members typically set four public, measurable goals to improve the quality of our nation’s air, water and land. Members include major corporations, small businesses, and public facilities that are steering a course toward environmental excellence.

Program information, summary of member benefits, application guidelines and a complete listing of facilities that are Performance Track members can be found at: www.epa.gov/performancetrack

Free and open to any business, the Partnership for a Sustainable Georgia was established by the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to foster environmental leadership and recognize superior environmental performance. The Partnership offers a variety of incentives, including cost savings through increased efficiencies, potential regulatory flexibility, free technical assistance and training, and access to networking and mentoring among peers, state and local officials. For more information visit: www.p2ad.org