Saint-Gobain’s Jackson Plant Cuts Water Use by 60%: Key Sustainability Achievements & Job Opportunities
Saint-Gobain, through its subsidiary CertainTeed LLC, has implemented a smart water sub-metering system and upgraded equipment at its Jackson, Michigan siding plant, resulting in a water usage reduction of over ten million gallons annually, cutting consumption by more than 60% compared to 2019. This initiative is part of Saint-Gobain's global Grow and Impact strategy, which aims to cut industrial water withdrawal by 50% by 2030.
At the Jackson facility, CertainTeed uses process water to cool vinyl siding products, including the Northwoods® Perfection and Rough-Split Shingle lines, which mimic the natural look of cedar shakes and shingles. Recycled water is also utilized in vacuum pumps essential to the manufacturing process.
The new system, which recaptures nearly all water used on-site, allows for precise water management throughout production. An alert system, created by participants in Saint-Gobain’s Essentials of Manufacturing Development Program, helps quickly identify and address leaks and overuse. Additionally, the plant has invested in a closed-loop system for its vacuum pumps, enabling the reuse of water in the production process.
“With this smart water submetering system, our Jackson plant has shown how equipment optimization and enhanced technology can have a huge impact,” said Joe Bondi, Vice President and General Manager of CertainTeed Sidings Product Group.
“I would like to thank each member of the team for their help in achieving our industrial water withdrawal reduction goals and for their commitment to sustainability and minimizing our environmental footprint.”
In 1988, CertainTeed Siding started operations in Jackson, Michigan, approximately 80 miles west of Detroit, where Saint-Gobain also runs a Research and Development Center. The plant currently employs 230 people and is actively recruiting for various positions in engineering, administration, and operations. A full list of job openings at Saint-Gobain, including those at the Jackson facility, is available on the company's website.
The investment in water-saving technology at the Jackson plant is part of Saint-Gobain's broader sustainability efforts, which include several recent initiatives:
At the Jackson facility, CertainTeed uses process water to cool vinyl siding products, including the Northwoods® Perfection and Rough-Split Shingle lines, which mimic the natural look of cedar shakes and shingles. Recycled water is also utilized in vacuum pumps essential to the manufacturing process.
The new system, which recaptures nearly all water used on-site, allows for precise water management throughout production. An alert system, created by participants in Saint-Gobain’s Essentials of Manufacturing Development Program, helps quickly identify and address leaks and overuse. Additionally, the plant has invested in a closed-loop system for its vacuum pumps, enabling the reuse of water in the production process.
“With this smart water submetering system, our Jackson plant has shown how equipment optimization and enhanced technology can have a huge impact,” said Joe Bondi, Vice President and General Manager of CertainTeed Sidings Product Group.
“I would like to thank each member of the team for their help in achieving our industrial water withdrawal reduction goals and for their commitment to sustainability and minimizing our environmental footprint.”
In 1988, CertainTeed Siding started operations in Jackson, Michigan, approximately 80 miles west of Detroit, where Saint-Gobain also runs a Research and Development Center. The plant currently employs 230 people and is actively recruiting for various positions in engineering, administration, and operations. A full list of job openings at Saint-Gobain, including those at the Jackson facility, is available on the company's website.
The investment in water-saving technology at the Jackson plant is part of Saint-Gobain's broader sustainability efforts, which include several recent initiatives:
- In April, Saint-Gobain's CertainTeed Innovation Center in Malvern, Pennsylvania, received Core Living Building Ready designation from the International Living Future Institute.
- In March, the company announced a 96% reduction in manufacturing-related emissions across three CertainTeed Siding facilities in the U.S.
- In February, Saint-Gobain installed a heat recovery system at its gypsum plant in Vancouver, British Columbia, aiming for a 15% reduction in Scope 1 carbon emissions.
- In September, the company signed a 15-year, 100 MW power purchase agreement with TotalEnergies for solar power, which is expected to offset 90,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually for Saint-Gobain North America.
- In August, a circular economy initiative was launched in the Ceramics division, where scrap finished goods from the Bryan, Texas facility are redirected to other Saint-Gobain Ceramics plants for reuse instead of ending up in landfills.
- In July, Saint-Gobain announced upgrades at its CertainTeed Insulation plant in Athens, Georgia, projected to save over 7,300 MWh of energy, 20 million gallons of water annually, and reduce landfill waste by over 5,000 MT.
- Also in July, a new CertainTeed Architectural facility was opened in Conyers, Georgia, co-located with finishing partner QPC, significantly cutting down transportation distance and reducing carbon emissions by over 50 million pounds per year.
- In June, Saint-Gobain received a 2023 SEAL Business Sustainability Award for its efforts in establishing North America’s first “net zero-carbon” gypsum wallboard facility for Scope 1 and 2 emissions at its plant near Montreal, Quebec.
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