WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:01.740 --> 00:00:04.540 A key component of the modern world economy, the chemical 00:00:04.540 --> 00:00:07.990 industry delivers products and innovations to enhance everyday life. 00:00:08.605 --> 00:00:12.594 It is also an industry in transformation where chemical executives and 00:00:12.594 --> 00:00:16.215 workers are delivering growth and industry changing advancements while 00:00:16.215 --> 00:00:19.974 responding to pressures from investors, regulators, and public opinion. 00:00:20.515 --> 00:00:23.445 Discover how leading companies are approaching these challenges 00:00:23.455 --> 00:00:25.064 here on the chemical show. 00:00:25.524 --> 00:00:28.875 Join Victoria Meyer, president of Progressio Global and 00:00:28.885 --> 00:00:30.305 host of the chemical show. 00:00:30.575 --> 00:00:34.775 As she speaks with executives across the industry and learns how they are leading 00:00:34.775 --> 00:00:40.374 their companies to grow, transform, and push industry boundaries on all frontiers. 00:00:40.695 --> 00:00:42.944 Here's your host, Victoria Meyer. 00:00:46.040 --> 00:00:47.540 Victoria: Hi, this is Victoria Meyer. 00:00:47.810 --> 00:00:51.730 Welcome back to The Chemical Show, where Chemicals Means Business. 00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:57.049 This is the second in a two part series highlighting the Sustainability 00:00:57.049 --> 00:01:02.519 Leadership Award winners recognized by American Chemistry Council in 2024. 00:01:03.305 --> 00:01:08.324 Last week in an episode entitled Driving innovation in Recycling, I 00:01:08.324 --> 00:01:13.484 spoke with Matt Adams from EFC Gases and Robert Dishman from Cyclyx. 00:01:13.775 --> 00:01:15.725 If you haven't listened yet, check it out. 00:01:16.465 --> 00:01:19.954 Those award winners, although servicing different customers and different 00:01:19.954 --> 00:01:24.615 markets and offering very different solutions had a commonality around 00:01:24.625 --> 00:01:30.674 recycling and recycling that improves value, opportunity, and supply chain. 00:01:31.755 --> 00:01:36.505 This week, I speak to three different award winners that have a common theme of 00:01:36.544 --> 00:01:39.525 collaboration, customers, and community. 00:01:40.414 --> 00:01:44.234 These leaders include Kevin Norfleet from Celanese, which won the 00:01:44.234 --> 00:01:50.495 Circularity Award, Garry Grant from PPG, which won the Climate Award, 00:01:50.874 --> 00:01:55.125 and Mary Reinthal from DuPont, which won the Social Responsibility 00:01:55.155 --> 00:01:56.945 and Community Engagement Award. 00:01:57.954 --> 00:02:00.144 Great stories from each one of these leaders. 00:02:00.405 --> 00:02:04.884 Now, before we get onto the rest of it, if you are new to The Chemical Show or 00:02:04.945 --> 00:02:06.975 already a loyal follower, thank you. 00:02:07.315 --> 00:02:11.195 And make sure you're following, make sure you're following us on your favorite 00:02:11.195 --> 00:02:16.084 podcast player, whether it be Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, make sure you're 00:02:16.084 --> 00:02:19.475 following us on LinkedIn because we share a lot of great content there. 00:02:19.845 --> 00:02:22.045 And you can also head over to the chemical show. 00:02:22.275 --> 00:02:25.095 com and sign up for our email list. 00:02:25.525 --> 00:02:29.685 Where we send regularly send you some great content and insights. 00:02:30.090 --> 00:02:32.530 Never any spam, only great news. 00:02:32.700 --> 00:02:37.359 Now I'm moving on to today's episode where I'm talking to the three leaders 00:02:37.420 --> 00:02:40.710 about their sustainability projects and the awards that they've received. 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:42.120 First up. 00:02:42.425 --> 00:02:44.835 Here's Kevin Norfleet from Celanese. 00:02:45.125 --> 00:02:49.605 I'm speaking with Kevin Norfleet, who is the Global Sustainability Director 00:02:49.625 --> 00:02:54.305 at Celanese, where he leads global sustainability efforts on behalf 00:02:54.305 --> 00:02:58.645 of the Acetyl business and focuses on driving sustainable products 00:02:58.645 --> 00:03:00.444 and solutions to their customers. 00:03:00.875 --> 00:03:05.134 As part of this, Kevin recently led the launch of their Carbon 00:03:05.134 --> 00:03:09.264 Capture and Utilization Project, which was implemented in Texas, and 00:03:09.264 --> 00:03:15.064 one of the biggest CO2 emissions reductions projects that we've seen. 00:03:15.414 --> 00:03:21.194 For that project, Celanese has received the Circularity Award from ACC. 00:03:22.034 --> 00:03:24.824 Kevin, let's talk about that and welcome back to The Chemical Show. 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:25.599 Kevin Norfleet: Thank you. 00:03:25.619 --> 00:03:25.969 Great. 00:03:25.969 --> 00:03:27.949 Great to be here and appreciate the opportunity to chat 00:03:27.949 --> 00:03:29.669 more about our CCU project. 00:03:30.459 --> 00:03:32.319 It's been a really exciting project. 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:37.379 I know we had a previous conversation, maybe a few months ago, but, yeah, 00:03:37.379 --> 00:03:40.389 very excited about what that, that carbon capture and utilization 00:03:40.389 --> 00:03:42.019 project has meant for our business. 00:03:42.019 --> 00:03:47.489 And we're very excited and delighted to receive the ACC's award for circularity. 00:03:47.489 --> 00:03:49.779 That was a great honor that we're very appreciative of. 00:03:51.204 --> 00:03:53.764 Victoria: Yeah, absolutely, and I was actually on the judging panel 00:03:53.774 --> 00:03:57.854 for one of the awards, a different award, and it's really impressive. 00:03:58.249 --> 00:04:03.059 The wide variety of, projects and programs and initiatives that 00:04:03.059 --> 00:04:06.359 are going on across the industry, to focus in on sustainability 00:04:06.399 --> 00:04:07.679 and in your case, circularity. 00:04:08.129 --> 00:04:10.879 so kudos to you guys for receiving this award. 00:04:12.039 --> 00:04:15.499 and I'm sure when you started this, it wasn't really to win an award. 00:04:15.499 --> 00:04:16.649 That was not your objective. 00:04:16.649 --> 00:04:19.699 So what's really the why behind your CCU project? 00:04:22.464 --> 00:04:26.474 Kevin Norfleet: really, this came from looking across our business, our products 00:04:26.474 --> 00:04:31.364 and what are the ways where we can do something to make an impact in a way 00:04:31.364 --> 00:04:32.864 that also makes sense for our business. 00:04:32.894 --> 00:04:35.954 And I think that ultimately, this CCU project was a great example 00:04:35.954 --> 00:04:38.604 that, we do this project with. 00:04:38.964 --> 00:04:42.114 Our joint venture partner, Mitsui and Company, and they were also a great, 00:04:42.114 --> 00:04:43.834 very supportive partner to this process. 00:04:43.864 --> 00:04:48.184 But, we really were able to look at this as something that, it was a 00:04:48.184 --> 00:04:51.304 very impactful project that we were able to put together a case that 00:04:51.304 --> 00:04:53.944 made sense, has a lot of potential. 00:04:54.504 --> 00:04:58.424 Benefits to our organization because we use methanol and, this project is about 00:04:58.424 --> 00:05:00.134 making methanol from CO2 emissions. 00:05:00.504 --> 00:05:04.184 We use methanol to make an incredible array of end products. 00:05:04.314 --> 00:05:09.744 And so for us, really, the why is about being able to drive this option and 00:05:09.744 --> 00:05:14.694 this opportunity into a whole bunch of different products and markets and 00:05:14.704 --> 00:05:18.704 market segments that we support that we're really able to offer what we 00:05:18.704 --> 00:05:22.834 think is a very attractive, sustainable product offering for our customers. 00:05:23.754 --> 00:05:24.604 Victoria: Yeah, that's great. 00:05:25.304 --> 00:05:28.864 And, I guess, how has the customer and the market response been when 00:05:28.864 --> 00:05:33.354 you think about bringing these CCU backed products to market? 00:05:33.734 --> 00:05:34.854 Kevin Norfleet: Yeah, I think it's, there's been a lot of 00:05:34.854 --> 00:05:36.764 interest, a lot of enthusiasm. 00:05:36.984 --> 00:05:41.064 I've had, many, discussions with an incredible array of customers. 00:05:41.834 --> 00:05:45.524 and so I think, it's definitely something that customers appreciate, being able 00:05:45.524 --> 00:05:48.354 to bring forward options and being able to bring forward solutions that, 00:05:48.374 --> 00:05:51.464 help reduce the carbon footprint of their products, as well as offering 00:05:51.494 --> 00:05:53.114 potentially a nice story to go with it. 00:05:53.674 --> 00:05:57.844 that said, one of the challenges that we see with, CCU is that 00:05:57.844 --> 00:05:59.744 it doesn't fit cleanly into. 00:06:00.509 --> 00:06:02.549 Some of the categories that people commonly think about when 00:06:02.549 --> 00:06:03.709 they think about sustainability. 00:06:03.859 --> 00:06:07.919 a lot of people talk about recycling or they talk about bio based feedstocks. 00:06:07.919 --> 00:06:11.399 And what we see is that CCU can, is a little bit of a third 00:06:11.399 --> 00:06:14.689 choice that doesn't really fit perfectly into those categories. 00:06:14.689 --> 00:06:18.679 And so it does take a little bit more effort to get people to 00:06:18.679 --> 00:06:20.359 understand, what does this mean? 00:06:20.359 --> 00:06:21.389 How do I think about this? 00:06:21.429 --> 00:06:22.379 How do I use this? 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:26.009 But I think as we, go through the data and we go through the information we 00:06:26.009 --> 00:06:29.429 have about what this means for those products and what this means for. 00:06:29.844 --> 00:06:31.284 those products carbon footprint. 00:06:31.654 --> 00:06:34.774 there tends to be a lot of interest and enthusiasm for, the option. 00:06:35.604 --> 00:06:36.064 Victoria: that's great. 00:06:36.064 --> 00:06:38.564 And in fact, that, it's a great lead into my next question. 00:06:38.614 --> 00:06:45.494 You received the Circularity Award from the ACC and In current dialogue, 00:06:45.494 --> 00:06:48.444 most of what we think about in terms of circularity has been in 00:06:48.444 --> 00:06:50.624 the context of plastic circularity. 00:06:51.664 --> 00:06:55.355 in this case, I guess we're talking about CO2 circularity. 00:06:55.355 --> 00:06:56.504 Can you just talk about that? 00:06:56.504 --> 00:06:58.474 How do you fit into this circular space? 00:06:58.474 --> 00:06:59.204 Kevin Norfleet: Yeah, absolutely. 00:07:00.539 --> 00:07:01.329 to your point, you're right. 00:07:01.329 --> 00:07:04.839 For plastics, recycling, there's a lot of great opportunities, 00:07:04.869 --> 00:07:07.929 but frankly, when you, there's a whole bunch of other materials and 00:07:07.949 --> 00:07:12.939 chemistries and products that doesn't necessarily really work as simply for. 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:16.329 And we definitely see this as a great opportunity for 00:07:16.509 --> 00:07:17.674 a lot of those other areas. 00:07:17.674 --> 00:07:22.094 that maybe don't have, the ability to have, a straightforward kind of 00:07:22.124 --> 00:07:26.214 recycling story, but to be able to bring an option instead, ultimately 00:07:26.214 --> 00:07:31.034 what we see is the opportunity for, from CCU is being able to create a 00:07:31.034 --> 00:07:34.304 market in demand for CO2 emissions. 00:07:34.304 --> 00:07:38.674 And, hopefully if we're successful at continuing to develop CCU as 00:07:38.674 --> 00:07:42.024 a market, we can put ourselves in position to be able to continue to use. 00:07:42.339 --> 00:07:43.779 More and more CO2 emissions. 00:07:43.779 --> 00:07:46.909 And I think that's, a really interesting circularity story. 00:07:47.149 --> 00:07:50.279 we definitely want, and think that, companies should continue to try to do 00:07:50.279 --> 00:07:54.119 what they can to reduce their emissions, but to the extent that some level of CO2 00:07:54.119 --> 00:07:55.609 emissions will probably always be present. 00:07:55.629 --> 00:07:59.409 We think CCU is a great ability to be able to create a circularity story 00:07:59.409 --> 00:08:03.659 and get another loop out of that CO2 before it goes to the atmosphere. 00:08:04.634 --> 00:08:05.284 Victoria: Yeah, that's right. 00:08:05.284 --> 00:08:09.184 And certainly, a big part of what we're trying to do across the industry when 00:08:09.184 --> 00:08:14.354 we think about sustainability goals is reduce, CO2 emissions, greenhouse gas. 00:08:14.364 --> 00:08:17.534 So being able to contain them and turn them into something. 00:08:17.954 --> 00:08:20.364 functional and useful is really critical. 00:08:20.434 --> 00:08:24.684 When you think about environmental footprint, which is, I think, a measure 00:08:24.724 --> 00:08:28.574 that many companies are taking, how do you think about environmental 00:08:28.574 --> 00:08:30.884 footprint when, it comes to CCU? 00:08:30.885 --> 00:08:34.004 Yeah. 00:08:35.029 --> 00:08:37.779 Kevin Norfleet: we really have it, Focused in terms of how we think 00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:39.609 about it at a, product level. 00:08:39.629 --> 00:08:42.109 And again, the idea of our, the CCU project is really being 00:08:42.109 --> 00:08:45.999 able to drive, reduce footprint products for our customers. 00:08:46.019 --> 00:08:50.029 One of the interesting things about this project is most of the CO2 greater 00:08:50.029 --> 00:08:54.409 than 80 percent of the CO2 we are using actually comes from third party sources. 00:08:54.410 --> 00:08:58.899 And so what that means is this isn't really a clean, reducing our own scope 00:08:58.899 --> 00:09:02.499 one emission because so much of that CO2 is actually coming over our fence line. 00:09:02.529 --> 00:09:06.534 So really what it ends up being, Is really more of a tool to help our customers 00:09:06.574 --> 00:09:10.354 reduce their scope three emissions, what that actually looks like can look very 00:09:10.374 --> 00:09:11.714 different depending on the products. 00:09:11.714 --> 00:09:14.974 We have some products that are made entirely from methanol. 00:09:15.024 --> 00:09:18.734 Those can have a very big impact of, this technology and this product in 00:09:18.734 --> 00:09:22.674 terms of what that means for the product carbon footprint of products like that. 00:09:22.674 --> 00:09:25.094 And then we have some products where maybe it's a smaller percentage, but 00:09:25.094 --> 00:09:28.724 at the end of the day, anything where we use this CCU methanol, it's going 00:09:28.724 --> 00:09:31.734 to provide a benefit to the product carbon footprint in those products. 00:09:32.464 --> 00:09:32.734 Victoria: Yeah. 00:09:32.794 --> 00:09:36.644 And obviously then ultimately to the consumer, cause as you point out, a lot 00:09:36.644 --> 00:09:41.959 of the products that we see in use aren't recyclable and circular in a traditional 00:09:41.959 --> 00:09:44.779 way, but can be harnessed elsewhere. 00:09:45.219 --> 00:09:47.589 It's great So what's next for you guys? 00:09:47.649 --> 00:09:51.529 What's next in this journey on CCU and beyond? 00:09:52.959 --> 00:09:56.269 Kevin Norfleet: a big part of where we are is we've got this great project up 00:09:56.269 --> 00:09:59.869 and running and, we're really pushing full speed ahead about being able to 00:09:59.869 --> 00:10:02.199 turn that into, customer solutions. 00:10:02.199 --> 00:10:05.659 And our goal is hopefully later this year and into next year that you start to be 00:10:05.659 --> 00:10:08.409 able to hear more examples of, this C. 00:10:08.409 --> 00:10:08.569 C. 00:10:08.569 --> 00:10:08.709 U. 00:10:08.719 --> 00:10:12.879 Material turning into, real products and customer, you know, 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:15.359 visible kind of use case examples. 00:10:16.119 --> 00:10:17.609 a lot of exciting things we're working on. 00:10:17.609 --> 00:10:21.499 I definitely think towards the 2nd, half of this year and into next year, 00:10:21.499 --> 00:10:24.739 we should start to have a lot of good announcements to be able to show where 00:10:24.739 --> 00:10:25.939 some of those things are happening. 00:10:25.989 --> 00:10:28.529 But that's very much where we're heading and our hope is to be able 00:10:28.529 --> 00:10:33.040 to get CCU to a place where it's very much recognized as a great tool and a 00:10:33.040 --> 00:10:38.040 great part of how do we make progress as society that sits right alongside 00:10:38.230 --> 00:10:40.930 recycling and bio based as another option. 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:43.130 Victoria: Great that's awesome. 00:10:43.530 --> 00:10:44.290 thanks Kevin. 00:10:44.290 --> 00:10:48.300 I appreciate you sharing your insights and everything with the team 00:10:48.670 --> 00:10:48.760 Kevin Norfleet: it. 00:10:48.760 --> 00:10:49.790 Thank you for having me on Victoria. 00:10:51.090 --> 00:10:54.060 Victoria: I think what Kevin shared with us was really interesting. 00:10:55.085 --> 00:10:59.965 In many ways, it's representative of the inherent circularity that 00:10:59.965 --> 00:11:02.185 exists within the chemical industry. 00:11:02.485 --> 00:11:05.615 I think if you just look at your business and your processes and how 00:11:05.615 --> 00:11:10.945 you guys operate, you'll find that in large part, there's a lot of circularity 00:11:11.105 --> 00:11:14.845 because of efficiency, because we want to save money and save costs. 00:11:15.175 --> 00:11:16.495 And then save the environment. 00:11:16.685 --> 00:11:21.495 Throughout its history, the chemical industry has innovated to eliminate off 00:11:21.495 --> 00:11:27.600 gases, eliminate waste streams, and turn them into new, Useful, valuable products. 00:11:28.230 --> 00:11:29.670 It's a measure of efficiency. 00:11:29.680 --> 00:11:31.390 It's also inherent circularity. 00:11:31.430 --> 00:11:36.020 And we're seeing that same thing from Celanese in their CCU project, 00:11:36.030 --> 00:11:41.200 which is intentionally circular and intentionally built to remove carbon 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:46.960 from the atmosphere, but also is really collaborative and provides a solution 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:49.190 for themselves, for their customers. 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:51.500 And for their other business partners. 00:11:51.780 --> 00:11:57.460 So talking about collaboration and customers, next up is Garry Grant 00:11:57.460 --> 00:12:02.000 from PPG talking about some of the new products that they've developed 00:12:02.070 --> 00:12:08.160 to support EVs and other products and winning the Climate award from ACC. 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:10.200 Here's Garry. 00:12:10.250 --> 00:12:13.850 In automotive manufacturing, the paint shop has historically been 00:12:13.850 --> 00:12:18.060 the most energy intensive area of the manufacturing process. 00:12:18.540 --> 00:12:23.010 Much of this energy intensity is due to the high temperature ovens needed 00:12:23.010 --> 00:12:27.250 to cure the various paints, adhesives and sealant products that go into cars. 00:12:27.930 --> 00:12:33.170 To address this, PPG developed a line of electric coat products, Paints 00:12:33.170 --> 00:12:38.170 to you and I that are specifically designed to reduce the energy intensity 00:12:38.280 --> 00:12:39.800 in this automotive paint shop. 00:12:40.350 --> 00:12:45.810 For that PPG was awarded the climate award by the American Chemistry Council 00:12:45.810 --> 00:12:47.860 in their sustainability leadership awards. 00:12:48.560 --> 00:12:53.930 Today I am speaking with Garry Grant, who is the strategic market manager at PPG. 00:12:53.950 --> 00:12:58.060 And we're going to be talking about this project and more Garry, 00:12:58.080 --> 00:12:59.140 welcome to The Chemical Show. 00:12:59.760 --> 00:13:00.960 Garry Grant: Hey Victoria, thanks for having me. 00:13:01.690 --> 00:13:02.600 Victoria: Thank you for joining us. 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:02.660 Thank you. 00:13:03.315 --> 00:13:04.065 Yeah, absolutely. 00:13:04.525 --> 00:13:10.235 So tell me, how did this EnviroPrime line of products and I guess 00:13:10.245 --> 00:13:13.075 specifically EPIC 300 come about? 00:13:14.635 --> 00:13:17.165 Garry Grant: what we've been seeing, obviously, is there is a much 00:13:17.165 --> 00:13:21.735 heightened focus on sustainability across all of our automotive customers. 00:13:21.745 --> 00:13:26.565 Through the onset of all this electric vehicle production that's coming, a lot 00:13:26.565 --> 00:13:31.525 of OEMs are looking about how they reduce their greenhouse gas emissions upstream 00:13:31.525 --> 00:13:33.405 and downstream through their supply chain. 00:13:33.805 --> 00:13:37.740 And one of the big Points for them is that use phase of the vehicle. 00:13:37.750 --> 00:13:40.910 How can they reduce the greenhouse gas emissions coming from the use 00:13:40.910 --> 00:13:46.190 phase and electric vehicles gets right at that as a result of that. 00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:48.460 That's going to create some differences in how they. 00:13:48.845 --> 00:13:53.635 Manufacture how they assemble a vehicle, particularly the battery enclosures, 00:13:53.635 --> 00:13:57.325 the battery box where that's going to be is going to be think of it as a 00:13:57.325 --> 00:14:01.415 heat sink, on the vehicle that's going to require more time at temperature. 00:14:01.835 --> 00:14:05.195 And clearly we want to partner with our customers to make sure 00:14:05.195 --> 00:14:08.605 that they don't have to make significant capital investments to 00:14:08.605 --> 00:14:13.375 expand their oven or, increase the footprint slow their lines down. 00:14:14.185 --> 00:14:16.005 so in order to do that, we've got to think about. 00:14:16.170 --> 00:14:17.380 Product solutions. 00:14:17.430 --> 00:14:22.220 And for me, particularly electric coat, one of the hot spots in that 00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:26.440 paint shop that you mentioned is that oven that cures the electric coat. 00:14:26.540 --> 00:14:32.290 And so if we can either reduce, or at least maintain, the throughput, the 00:14:32.290 --> 00:14:37.310 time in the oven for the OEMs and not slow down their productivity, by bringing 00:14:37.310 --> 00:14:42.970 solutions like EnviroPrime Epic 300, To market that's a significant advantage 00:14:42.970 --> 00:14:47.050 for them again to avoid any capital investment and even potentially speed 00:14:47.060 --> 00:14:51.460 up their lines reduce the time and improve their productivity or reduce 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:56.010 the oven temperatures and reduce that impact on the greenhouse gas emissions 00:14:56.010 --> 00:14:57.620 there in that part of the paint shop. 00:14:58.205 --> 00:14:58.825 Victoria: That's excellent. 00:14:59.005 --> 00:15:02.535 And in fact, I know that's one of the conversations that sometimes happens is 00:15:02.545 --> 00:15:08.095 that as we move to a greener economy, moving from, internal combustion engines 00:15:08.195 --> 00:15:13.225 to EVs, the consideration of all the elements of it and what it, how it 00:15:13.225 --> 00:15:17.065 affects the environment, how it affects energy consumption, is really critical. 00:15:17.455 --> 00:15:20.905 What's been the customer response since this was introduced? 00:15:21.405 --> 00:15:23.735 Garry Grant: Just about every OEM now has some type of 00:15:23.735 --> 00:15:25.595 electric vehicle program, right? 00:15:25.695 --> 00:15:28.875 And it's not just in one particular region, it's global. 00:15:29.625 --> 00:15:33.495 So with the EPIC 300 technologies and other EPIC technologies in our 00:15:33.495 --> 00:15:38.920 platform, we're seeing, that adoption rate Increase as we see the increase 00:15:38.920 --> 00:15:40.280 in the electric vehicle production. 00:15:40.280 --> 00:15:41.810 So it's been a good response so far. 00:15:42.170 --> 00:15:45.030 Obviously, the recognition here by ACC is great. 00:15:45.990 --> 00:15:48.950 but we've, had some other recognitions, not just of epic 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:53.130 300, but other eco products in our portfolio that are helping. 00:15:53.685 --> 00:15:56.705 The OEMs meet their sustainability goals. 00:15:56.985 --> 00:16:00.785 whether it's greenhouse gas emissions or it's water intensity or energy 00:16:00.785 --> 00:16:04.535 intensity, anything we can do again to bring some, solutions 00:16:04.535 --> 00:16:06.865 to market that help them help us. 00:16:07.315 --> 00:16:07.625 Victoria: Yeah. 00:16:07.725 --> 00:16:12.545 So I saw that PPG was recently awarded, recognition from Toyota. 00:16:12.595 --> 00:16:13.845 Can you talk about that? 00:16:14.455 --> 00:16:14.865 Garry Grant: Yeah. 00:16:14.885 --> 00:16:18.685 That's again, another example, partnering with a customer who 00:16:18.685 --> 00:16:22.535 has, some particular needs for both performance and sustainability 00:16:22.535 --> 00:16:23.635 that they're trying to achieve. 00:16:24.235 --> 00:16:25.895 Toyota has always been at the forefront. 00:16:26.110 --> 00:16:31.750 Setting their, , 2050 goals for, their carbon footprint and 2030, depending on 00:16:31.950 --> 00:16:33.500 the life cycle that they're looking at. 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:39.510 But again, launching that new product, great success to be able to measure 00:16:39.510 --> 00:16:44.320 and monitor where they were before that product, where they were after and with 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:50.580 their, collaboration partner with them to, really show output of, what it is 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:52.190 we achieve with that new product launch. 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.300 Victoria: That's great. 00:16:53.730 --> 00:16:56.320 I think about panks and coatings when I typically thought 00:16:56.320 --> 00:16:57.850 about it in the environment. 00:16:58.940 --> 00:17:03.390 I think of VOCs and other emissions as a primary concern. 00:17:03.590 --> 00:17:06.730 Now I'm learning about energy, as a consideration. 00:17:07.510 --> 00:17:11.830 what else are, is PPG and your customers thinking about and 00:17:11.830 --> 00:17:12.770 that you guys are working on? 00:17:13.300 --> 00:17:16.320 Garry Grant: Yeah, it's funny you say that, too, because I've been around 00:17:16.470 --> 00:17:21.880 codings for over 20, 25 years now, and yeah, you always traditionally 00:17:21.890 --> 00:17:25.790 think about the sustainability or the environmental impact of what's in the can. 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:30.450 And now as we start to look more at that life cycle, and with our 00:17:30.450 --> 00:17:35.950 sustainability partners in the, in PPG even, you look at that intensity 00:17:35.950 --> 00:17:40.590 of where that impact is, the materials are there for sure, but it's almost. 00:17:40.800 --> 00:17:44.540 70 30, 70 percent is process driven energy. 00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:48.720 You know what's going on in the paint shop versus 30 percent really 00:17:48.730 --> 00:17:50.170 what's in the can that we can impact. 00:17:50.170 --> 00:17:54.040 So you have to impact both obviously, but you can have a bigger bang for the 00:17:54.040 --> 00:17:55.920 buck, let's say on the process side. 00:17:57.475 --> 00:18:01.845 energy you mentioned, but water intensity again, depending on where customers 00:18:01.845 --> 00:18:06.375 are in the world, their ability to generate water, anything we can do 00:18:06.375 --> 00:18:10.755 from a product standpoint that can reduce the demand for water, reduce the 00:18:10.755 --> 00:18:13.115 waste that's generated in the process. 00:18:13.865 --> 00:18:16.865 there's obviously a cost to that and an environmental impact. 00:18:18.020 --> 00:18:22.140 But now, again, as we talk about, just the way vehicles are being used or 00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:26.990 how they will be used in the future, there's only so much metal in the world. 00:18:26.990 --> 00:18:29.190 There's only so much aluminum in the world. 00:18:29.730 --> 00:18:34.100 We're going to probably see a lot more recycled content coming in, circularity 00:18:34.350 --> 00:18:39.200 of these vehicles that, maybe they'll go through 10, 20 years of use and then 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:44.930 they're getting melted down and turned into a vehicle that you or I don't even, 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:49.000 can't even imagine now, but it's, we have to ensure that the coating we put 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:53.580 on top of that substrate still meets performance expectations, but that 00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:58.910 we're also enabling that recycling to happen, so that's better for all of us. 00:18:59.050 --> 00:19:01.020 Victoria: And at the end of life considerations, 00:19:01.350 --> 00:19:02.120 Garry Grant: Exactly. 00:19:03.040 --> 00:19:03.540 Victoria: that's cool. 00:19:03.830 --> 00:19:04.180 Awesome. 00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:04.920 thank you. 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:09.370 I really appreciate you joining us today, and learning more about what's going on. 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.480 Garry Grant: absolutely. 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.500 Thanks for having me again. 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.940 Victoria: That was a great conversation with Garry. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:17.180 The insights that Garry shared as we talked about the award that they've 00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:24.255 just won is really just highlights the fact that for, a future greener, greener 00:19:24.265 --> 00:19:26.685 energy, a more sustainable economy. 00:19:27.005 --> 00:19:29.245 Chemicals are more important than ever. 00:19:29.775 --> 00:19:33.255 And in this example, EVs run at a different temperature profile. 00:19:33.515 --> 00:19:36.645 And so new paints and coatings are needed for electric vehicles. 00:19:37.075 --> 00:19:42.920 At the same time, the fact that the paint shop and the fact that Paints 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:47.450 are effectively baked on, that's my layman's terms to automobiles. 00:19:48.010 --> 00:19:52.790 and this realization that there are huge opportunities to reduce power usage, 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:56.700 , and then inherently CO2 production by taking it a different approach 00:19:56.700 --> 00:20:01.310 to paints and coatings and adhesives that go into automotive processes. 00:20:01.410 --> 00:20:05.730 So critical for our traditional automotives, It's even more critical 00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:10.390 as we go into a world where electric vehicles become more common. 00:20:10.830 --> 00:20:12.110 So great stuff. 00:20:13.330 --> 00:20:17.590 Finally, I'm talking with Mary Reinthal from DuPont who shares 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:21.510 some insights about their unique community engagement opportunities. 00:20:21.885 --> 00:20:22.565 Here's Mary. 00:20:23.686 --> 00:20:25.896 I'm here with Mary Reinthal from DuPont. 00:20:26.446 --> 00:20:31.846 Mary is a scientist, and more importantly, she is the current leader of Clear Into 00:20:31.846 --> 00:20:36.506 the Future, which is DuPont's global sustainability program that funds 00:20:36.536 --> 00:20:42.326 nonprofit organizations to work on sustainable development initiatives in the 00:20:42.356 --> 00:20:44.756 communities near where DuPont operates. 00:20:44.786 --> 00:20:49.656 So really critical, opportunity and outreach into the communities. 00:20:49.666 --> 00:20:54.316 And in fact, DuPont received the Social Responsibility and Community 00:20:54.316 --> 00:20:57.076 Engagement Award from ACC this year. 00:20:57.076 --> 00:21:00.266 So we're going to be talking about that and more. 00:21:00.986 --> 00:21:02.596 Mary, welcome to The Chemical Show. 00:21:03.356 --> 00:21:04.526 Mary Reinthal: Thanks for having me. 00:21:04.616 --> 00:21:05.926 I'm excited to be here. 00:21:06.321 --> 00:21:07.711 Victoria: I'm really happy to have you here. 00:21:07.961 --> 00:21:11.781 So tell us a little bit about the Clear Into the Future grant program. 00:21:12.586 --> 00:21:14.396 Mary Reinthal: Yeah, so I think you really nailed it. 00:21:14.396 --> 00:21:15.736 It's employee driven. 00:21:15.756 --> 00:21:19.976 It's a global grants program and it was founded by DuPont in 2007. 00:21:20.416 --> 00:21:25.496 Grants recipients are non government organizations, so these are non profits 00:21:25.516 --> 00:21:29.576 or academic institutes that are going to be aligned with the Clear into 00:21:29.576 --> 00:21:33.986 the Future program purpose, which is really Driving positive impact 00:21:34.006 --> 00:21:37.996 by protecting the environment and empowering communities to thrive. 00:21:38.741 --> 00:21:39.941 Victoria: Yeah, that's really great. 00:21:41.031 --> 00:21:44.991 can you create this an example or two of some of the programs that 00:21:44.991 --> 00:21:46.181 you guys have helped to fund? 00:21:46.546 --> 00:21:47.506 Mary Reinthal: Yeah, I'd love to. 00:21:47.506 --> 00:21:53.506 So in 2023, we were really fortunate to be able to fund 19 distinct projects 00:21:53.516 --> 00:21:55.716 across seven different countries. 00:21:55.946 --> 00:21:58.786 So this is a really exciting achievement for us. 00:21:59.286 --> 00:22:03.236 And when I think of Clear into the Future funded projects, two 00:22:03.236 --> 00:22:04.596 in particular come to mind. 00:22:04.606 --> 00:22:10.176 So one is a land restoration project that took place out of Midland, Michigan. 00:22:10.216 --> 00:22:12.436 So DuPont has a site in Midland, Michigan. 00:22:12.871 --> 00:22:16.401 And this was with the NGO, Chippewa Nature Center. 00:22:16.931 --> 00:22:22.071 And so what they were looking to do was to remove invasive exotic 00:22:22.081 --> 00:22:28.341 species and replace them with a just diverse array of native planting. 00:22:28.341 --> 00:22:29.661 So these would be shrubs. 00:22:29.661 --> 00:22:31.141 These would be wild flowers. 00:22:31.141 --> 00:22:32.091 These would be trees. 00:22:32.841 --> 00:22:36.911 And what we really liked about this project was not just. 00:22:37.166 --> 00:22:41.806 How it impacted Midland, Michigan, but it really impacted the biodiversity at 00:22:41.816 --> 00:22:44.116 large of the Great Lakes Bay region. 00:22:44.726 --> 00:22:49.646 So these are ecosystems that have seen a decline in species, year over year. 00:22:50.046 --> 00:22:54.326 so these ecosystems are wetland ecosystems and field ecosystems. 00:22:54.346 --> 00:22:58.496 So it felt really good to give back to this project in particular, 00:22:58.776 --> 00:23:00.696 because of the larger implications. 00:23:01.261 --> 00:23:02.171 Victoria: Yeah, that's really cool. 00:23:02.171 --> 00:23:03.151 I'm going to just jump in here. 00:23:03.151 --> 00:23:07.671 I spent a lot of time in Wisconsin on a lake up there and frankly, everywhere 00:23:07.671 --> 00:23:12.211 there's lakes and waters and wetland, we're certainly seeing impact of these 00:23:12.221 --> 00:23:17.861 invasive species that are non native, that have a really significant impact 00:23:17.961 --> 00:23:22.641 on the local ecosystem, not just from a plant life perspective, but from 00:23:22.641 --> 00:23:26.736 a birds and fish and other animals. 00:23:27.066 --> 00:23:31.606 And I think that's really cool because obviously it is a topic that 00:23:31.756 --> 00:23:33.686 hits a lot of different communities. 00:23:33.991 --> 00:23:34.501 Mary Reinthal: yes. 00:23:34.541 --> 00:23:39.911 And the Chippewa Nature Center has written, Clear to the Future grants 00:23:39.951 --> 00:23:43.511 several years in a row that have been successfully funded, so they are 00:23:43.511 --> 00:23:51.211 undertaking large scale projects that, are able to deliver on, all of the metrics 00:23:51.601 --> 00:23:53.451 that they're hoping to year over year. 00:23:53.471 --> 00:23:56.931 So we keep funding them and it's a fantastic, cause. 00:23:57.406 --> 00:23:58.636 Victoria: Sounds like a great partnership. 00:23:58.806 --> 00:24:00.896 And so you were going to tell us about a second one as well. 00:24:01.071 --> 00:24:02.161 Mary Reinthal: Yeah, definitely. 00:24:02.161 --> 00:24:05.881 So another project that comes to mind is going to be a little bit different. 00:24:05.901 --> 00:24:11.331 It took place in Seoul, South Korea, and it was to promote urban forests. 00:24:11.371 --> 00:24:13.671 So the NGO there was called Forest for Life. 00:24:14.191 --> 00:24:17.221 And what we really liked about this program was the 00:24:17.221 --> 00:24:18.781 strong education component. 00:24:18.906 --> 00:24:25.036 It also relied very heavily on community volunteerism and support in planting 00:24:25.046 --> 00:24:27.926 over 700 trees in Seoul, South Korea. 00:24:28.336 --> 00:24:33.956 And so the strong education, the strong volunteerism and introducing 00:24:33.966 --> 00:24:37.991 new biodiversity into an urban area, those were all wins for us. 00:24:38.521 --> 00:24:39.591 Victoria: Yeah, that's really great. 00:24:40.101 --> 00:24:43.541 and you said that this is something that's employee driven. 00:24:43.551 --> 00:24:46.051 So how do employees get engaged with this? 00:24:46.881 --> 00:24:50.841 Mary Reinthal: Yeah, so employees have multiple opportunities to become 00:24:50.841 --> 00:24:53.131 engaged with clear into the future. 00:24:53.271 --> 00:24:57.811 I became engaged as a co lead and as a lead for clear into the future. 00:24:57.811 --> 00:25:02.301 So really driving the ship, employees can also become engaged 00:25:02.311 --> 00:25:04.221 as grant review committee members. 00:25:04.651 --> 00:25:09.401 So the decision to fund a project is done with a panel of 00:25:09.401 --> 00:25:11.861 employees from across DuPont. 00:25:12.351 --> 00:25:17.541 And so folks, if they're interested in doing work with clear into the future, can 00:25:17.571 --> 00:25:21.771 opt to be on the grant review committee and that time commitment looks like 00:25:21.791 --> 00:25:26.031 reading over grants that we've received and deliberating on them to determine 00:25:26.041 --> 00:25:31.961 who should receive funding for the year and then in another way, employees can 00:25:31.961 --> 00:25:35.251 also become involved with clear into the future by becoming an employee 00:25:35.251 --> 00:25:38.071 sponsor for one of these projects. 00:25:38.361 --> 00:25:43.931 The way these projects can move forward is if there is a DuPont employee that pushes 00:25:43.931 --> 00:25:50.581 it to the forefront and really drives it, drives the DuPont volunteerism, can 00:25:50.581 --> 00:25:56.331 vouch for the organization, and so DuPont employees can become involved in volunteer 00:25:56.331 --> 00:26:00.761 events or as one of these employees that can drive the movement forward. 00:26:01.281 --> 00:26:01.931 Victoria: Yeah, that's great. 00:26:01.941 --> 00:26:06.391 And it sounds like it really helps to spark, a partnership within the 00:26:06.391 --> 00:26:07.931 community of these organizations. 00:26:08.136 --> 00:26:08.596 Mary Reinthal: great. 00:26:09.506 --> 00:26:13.836 we really appreciate helping out these local DuPont communities. 00:26:13.836 --> 00:26:17.116 So these DuPont communities are, communities where DuPont 00:26:17.116 --> 00:26:18.716 employees live and work. 00:26:19.086 --> 00:26:23.676 And so we really, appreciate helping out employees in those communities, 00:26:24.386 --> 00:26:27.326 NGOs in those communities, and especially employees that have 00:26:27.336 --> 00:26:28.916 great connections with NGOs in these 00:26:29.091 --> 00:26:29.571 Victoria: Yeah. 00:26:29.601 --> 00:26:33.161 And as a global company, figuring out how to create that community 00:26:33.181 --> 00:26:35.181 and local connection is so critical. 00:26:35.541 --> 00:26:40.851 And as to your point, like the NGOs locally really know what the locals need. 00:26:41.541 --> 00:26:45.551 So it's hard sometimes as a global, organization, you sometimes think, okay, 00:26:46.411 --> 00:26:49.571 we know what, opportunities they are. 00:26:49.591 --> 00:26:53.251 And the reality is it's those local boots on the ground that really 00:26:53.301 --> 00:26:55.341 are able to provide that impetus. 00:26:55.726 --> 00:26:56.926 Mary Reinthal: That's exactly right. 00:26:57.161 --> 00:26:59.601 Victoria: So what's next for the program? 00:26:59.601 --> 00:27:04.441 What should we be looking forward to the rest of 2024 and as we go into 25? 00:27:04.966 --> 00:27:05.326 Mary Reinthal: Yeah. 00:27:06.011 --> 00:27:09.151 What I like to look at is the past as an analog for the future. 00:27:09.151 --> 00:27:14.541 So between 2022 and 2023, we really did see growth in all of our metrics. 00:27:14.541 --> 00:27:17.301 We saw more applications being funded. 00:27:17.331 --> 00:27:20.831 We saw more people Putting in applications. 00:27:20.841 --> 00:27:25.711 We saw more countries being represented more regions being represented by clearing 00:27:25.711 --> 00:27:30.661 to the future funding And so really moving on We're hoping to just increase 00:27:30.671 --> 00:27:37.026 scope, you know Add more regions that are represented add more countries affiliated 00:27:37.026 --> 00:27:41.906 with, DuPont communities and just continue, growing our global footprint. 00:27:42.611 --> 00:27:42.991 Victoria: Awesome. 00:27:43.081 --> 00:27:43.481 Oh, great. 00:27:43.591 --> 00:27:46.041 Mary, thank you for joining us today. 00:27:46.041 --> 00:27:47.891 And thanks for sharing those insights. 00:27:48.286 --> 00:27:48.566 Mary Reinthal: Yeah. 00:27:48.566 --> 00:27:49.536 Thank you so much. 00:27:49.596 --> 00:27:50.396 This was a pleasure. 00:27:51.096 --> 00:27:55.296 Victoria: Three awards, three distinct companies tied together by a theme of 00:27:55.296 --> 00:27:57.946 collaboration, customers, and community. 00:27:58.801 --> 00:27:59.821 Thanks for listening. 00:28:00.341 --> 00:28:05.711 If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague and make 00:28:05.711 --> 00:28:10.741 sure you're following The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player on LinkedIn. 00:28:10.751 --> 00:28:14.591 We share a lot of great content on LinkedIn and also head 00:28:14.591 --> 00:28:15.561 over to the chemical show. 00:28:15.811 --> 00:28:20.781 com to get more insights, to sign up for our email list and just be part of it. 00:28:21.181 --> 00:28:23.601 So anyway, thank you for listening today. 00:28:23.981 --> 00:28:26.551 Keep listening, keep following, keep sharing, and we will 00:28:26.551 --> 00:28:28.341 talk with you again soon.