Âé¶¹Ö±²¥appÌý(JM)Ìýhas received aÌý2020 Green Chemistry Challenge AwardÌýfrom theÌýU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). JM was awarded this honor forÌýdesigning, developing and commercializingÌýAlpha Binder,Ìýa novel formaldehyde-free,Ìýbio-based binder for fiberglass reinforcement applications mainly used inÌýtheÌýcarpet industry.Ìý
The award wasÌýannouncedÌýduring theÌýJune 16ÌýAmerican Chemical Society Green ChemistryÌýConference, which wasÌýheld online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Ìý
Green Chemistry Challenge Awards are given toÌýcompanies or institutions that have developed a new process or product that helps protect public health and the environment.ÌýThis is the first time JM has won this award.
“I am extremely proud of our innovative teamÌýthatÌýdevelopedÌýAlphaÌýBinder chemistry,â€� saidÌýTim Swales,ÌýSenior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Âé¶¹Ö±²¥app.Ìý“Winning this award recognizes JM as a leader in sustainable, green chemistry solutions.â€�Ìý
Alpha Binder:
- Is non-toxicÌý
- Contains over 90% bio-based carbonÌý
- Eliminates the steps for monomer and polymer synthesis
- Uses a bio-degradable catalystÌý
- Requires 70% less waterÌý
- Reduces energy consumption during manufacturing of the glass mat by over 70% compared to alternative petroleum-based binders
Alpha Binder and glass mats madeÌýwithÌýit ― calledÌýEvalith® 1000 ― have been commercialized in North America since 2017.Ìý
The research and development and pilot trials for Alpha BinderÌýwere doneÌýatÌýÂé¶¹Ö±²¥app Technical Center inÌýLittleton,ÌýColorado. Production trials and commercialization of the final productÌýwas conductedÌýatÌýJMÌýEngineered ProductsÌýplants inÌýEtowah,ÌýTennessee,ÌýandÌýWaterville,ÌýOhio.Ìý
An independent panel of technical experts convened by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute judgedÌýthe 2020 nominations and made recommendations to EPA for the 2020 winners.ÌýOther companies that won awards this year includeÌýGenomatica, Merck & Co.ÌýandÌýVestaronÌýCorporation.ÌýEPA plans to recognize the winners at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., later this year.
Since theÌýstartÌýof theÌýGreen Chemistry Challenge AwardsÌýin 1996, EPA has presented awards toÌýmore thanÌý115ÌýtechnologiesÌýthatÌýhaveÌýreduced the use or generation of hundreds of millions of pounds of hazardous chemicals and saved billions of gallons of water and trillions of BTUs in energy.ÌýPast winners have includedÌýgreen chemistryÌýsolutionsÌýdeveloped byÌýcompanies such asÌýTheÌýDowÌýChemical Company, BASF, Cargill, S.C.ÌýJohnson & Son and DuPont.
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