Reduction in Organic Solvent Use
Goodyear uses organic solvents as process aids and for marking and cleaning
materials. As with waste to landfills, Goodyear believes over time it can achieve
the same production with less use of organic solvents. Any reduction in solvent
usage is made only after careful and rigorous product testing. Goodyear
has been able to eliminate solvents by changing materials, equipment and
processes. Since 2001, solvent usage has been reduced by 41 percent.
By reducing solvents, Goodyear can reduce potential air emissions, water
releases and future environmental liability. Solvent reduction can improve
workplace conditions, which can help prevent fire or injury.
The Goodyear “Best in Class” program requires plants to seek  incremental
improvements in manufacturing processes. As reliable improvements are
found, technology and procedures
are shared among Goodyear facilities
making similar products. The Goodyear
Six Sigma and Lean principles also
drive more efficient processes that
reduce raw material consumption
and continue product quality.
Global Progress in Organic Solvent Reduction
Hanau, Germany
- This Goodyear tire plant found a way to join passenger tire components using mechanical pressure rather than solvents, ultimately saving about 20 tons of adhesive emissions annually. Similar efforts are underway in other European facilities.
Riesa, Germany
- This facility replaced solvent-based cleaners with water-based cleaners. It also saves about 1,100 pounds of solvents per year by using solvent-free paint.
Latin America
- Plants continue to reduce solvent use through associate education. Also, improved equipment delivers the optimal amounts of solvent needed to achieve rubber tack during tire manufacturing.
São Paulo, Brazil
- A new automatic pump system in this plant promises to reduce solvent usage by more than half.
|
|
|
