Novolyte Technologies Plant Switching to Renewable Energy; Will Purchase Baton Rouge Landfill Gas to Cut Natural Gas Use
CLEVELAND, OH – NOV. 11, 2009 – Novolyte Technologies, a producer of electrolytes for lithium ion batteries and green solvents, has taken another big green step. Novolyte has signed a long-term purchase agreement with Baton Rouge Renewable Energy LLC, a subsidiary of Illumination Renewables LLC, for a large portion of its gas usage to come from the Baton Rouge municipal landfill.
Waste in landfills eventually decomposes and forms methane, which is the main component of natural gas. The methane from this landfill is currently being flared, releasing CO2 to the environment and providing no economic benefit to the city. When this project is operational in the summer of 2010, landfill gas will replace more than half of the natural gas being consumed by Novolyte at its Zachary, LA plant. The net result will be a reduction of 3,500 tons of CO2 that is currently emitted to the environment and a usage reduction of a valuable non-renewable natural resource. The CO2 released is equivalent to the annual emissions of 641 passenger vehicles or the amount sequestered by 24.4 acres of pine forests.
"A large part of our business, including our work in developing materials to improve batteries supporting the electrification of the auto industry or our green solvents that replace environmentally harmful ones, is focused on lowering environmental impacts," says CEO Edward Frindt. "This is another example of Novolyte working to protect the environment."
Jim Keenan, who managed the project for Novolyte, noted, "There is no magic solution to improving the environment or to achieving energy independence. There are many small steps that can be taken, which together produce large results. This was a complex project and we have been working with Illumination Renewables for over one year. We are all very proud of this project that turns waste into wealth for the parties involved and health for the environment." The company expects its usage will grow as the plant expands and as more operations are converted to landfill gas.
Brad Ives, CEO of Illumination Renewables, remarked, "It's been great working with an environmental leader like Novolyte on a project that is a win-win for our companies and for the people of Baton Rouge. We look forward to supporting Novolyte's growth with additional landfill gas in the coming years."
About Illumination Renewables LLC
Illumination Renewables is a developer of renewable energy projects focused on the landfill gas and biomass sectors. The company is headquartered in Chapel Hill, NC.
About Novolyte Technologies, Inc.
Novolyte Technologies is a world leading manufacturer and supplier of specialty electrolyte materials, high performance solvents, aryl phosphorus derivatives and technically demanding custom manufactured products. Novolyte, previously Ferro Fine Chemicals Division, is headquartered in Cleveland, OH.