FORMICA GROUP IS COMMITTED TO ADVANCING ON THE PATH TO SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH THE MANAGEMENT OF RAW MATERIALS, WASTE AND ENERGY.
RAW MATERIAL MANAGEMENT
Stainless Steel Plates: Formica Group has replaced a paper release system with pre-textured stainless steel plates to impart surface texture. These re-usable plates reduce the amount of scrap paper sent to landfill.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Batteries: We recycle 100% of batteries that have reached the end of their useful life.
Scrap Laminate: Formica Group salvages scrap laminate to create a product that replaces drilling mud, thus reducing waste.
Scrap Metal: We recycle the scrap metal produced by our maintenance departments.
Hydraulic Oils: Formica Group collects hydraulic oils used on presses and sends the oils to a closed-loop filtration system that enables their perpetual re-use.
Pallets: Scrap wood pallets are ground into fuel, which produces steam for use within the facility.
Packaging: The packaging we use to ship Formica® Laminate and Formica® Solid Surfacing is made from recycled materials. It is also re-usable, recyclable and biodegradable.
Paper Recycling: Unusable Kraft paper, cardboard packaging, paper roll wrappers and cores, and office papers are all recycled.
Product Samples: Formica Group salvages damaged laminate sheets for use as samples. We also collect samples in the field for recycling and re-use in new sample sets.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT:
Biomass Energy Production: Dust generated during the sanding of laminate sheets is collected in bag filters and incinerated, supplying a significant amount of the base steam load for operations in the Hsin Feng, Taiwan facility. Additionally, we use locally sourced by-products from demolition and new construction to generate steam in the facility's biomass boiler.
Closed-Loop, High Pressure Hot Water: We have installed closed-loop, high-pressure hot water systems in the Hsin Feng, Taiwan, Qingpu, China and Bangkok, Thailand, plants to efficiently retain heat for successive pressings in the manufacturing process.
Lighting: High-efficiency lamps are installed throughout the manufacturing facilities in Hsin Feng, Taiwan, Qingpu, China and Bangkok, Thailand.
Emissions Controls: Formica Group controls particulate emissions at its manufacturing facilities with control devices that operate at 99% efficiency. In addition, Formica has replaced solvent-based phenolic resins with water-based phenolic resins, thereby greatly reducing VOC emissions.