Millipore to pare its greenhouse gases by 20 percent
5-year plan includes closing some plants, ensuring others use less energy
Jumping on the environmental bandwagon, Millipore Corp. plans to unveil a promise today to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent over the next five years.
The Billerica life-sciences equipment maker said it will use a number of methods to reduce its environmental impact, including closing some small, less efficient manufacturing plants, constructing buildings that are more energy efficient, and upgrading old facilities to use less energy.
"Both individuals and companies have to do something" to cut pollution, said Millipore's chief executive, Martin Madaus. "It's not just the right thing to do. In many countries, it will be part of legislation."
Millipore is just the latest large company to initiate a program to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases, such as carbon dioxide, that contribute to global warming.
Staples Inc., based in Framingham, promised to reduce its US emissions by 7 percent from 2001 to 2010. EMC Corp., headquartered in Hopkinton, pledged to cut its US emissions by 8 percent per square foot from 2005 to 2012. Raytheon Co. of Waltham said it would reduce its emissions by 33 percent per dollar of revenue from 2002 to 2009.
Genzyme Corp. in Cambridge and Osram Sylvania in Danvers are working on plans to curb pollution.
"A lot of companies are making voluntary efforts" to reduce greenhouse gases, said Andre de Fontaine, who works for the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, a Virginia nonprofit that favors mandatory limits. But Fontaine said Millipore's plan to reduce emissions by 20 percent in five years "looks to be a pretty strong goal," compared to what most other companies are doing.
While carbon dioxide is a natural part of the air, there's a consensus among scientists that autos, power plants, and factories have spewed so much of it into the atmosphere since the dawn of the industrial age that it is significantly altering the earth's climate. Known as the "greenhouse effect," the gases are thought to trap heat in the atmosphere.
Millipore said it is also working on other ways to become more environmentally friendly. The company intends to replace its fleet of vehicles with Toyota hybrids and purchases 10 percent of its energy from wind suppliers in Montana. At some manufacturing sites, Millipore said, it has increased recycling of chemicals and waste and reduced water consumption.
"We've been doing a lot of these things for years," said David Newman, who was appointed Millipore's director of sustainability last year. "But in 2007, there was a more concerted attempt to say where we can do better?"
At the same time, Millipore has increasingly marketed "disposable" components for biotech manufacturing plants, such as plastic bags and valves, which are destined for landfills after use. Madaus said the company studied the issue and determined the plastic bags are actually better for the environment than large steel tubes that must be repeatedly cleaned, requiring water and energy.
Todd Wallack can be reached at twallack@globe.com.
