News Releases from Region 09
U.S. EPA honors San Francisco Bay Area firm Hybrid Coating Technologies with Green Chemistry Award
SAN FRANCISCO - Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Hybrid Coating Technologies of Daly City, Calif. with a Presidential Green Chemistry Award for developing a safer, plant-based polyurethane for use on floors, furniture and in foam insulation. The company is among six organizations nationwide honored for developing safer chemical products.
"The breakthrough by Hybrid Coating Technologies in making polyurethane more environmentally friendly promises dramatic benefits for human health," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "Polyurethanes are a $26 billion business in the United States, and their widespread use affects many thousands of workers and consumers."
In the 'designing greener chemicals' category, Hybrid Coating Technologies was recognized for developing a cost-effective process that uses plant-based feedstock to make Green PolyurethaneTM coatings and foam with no isocyanates, chemicals known to cause skin and breathing problems. This product reduces the risk of irritation to the eyes, lungs, skin and throat, and asthma. Its zero isocyanate, zero volatile organic compounds safety features are used in numerous industries: automotive, construction, electronics, footwear, furniture, packaging, and textiles.
The 20th Annual Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards were presented today at a ceremony in Washington, DC, in six categories: academic, small business, greener synthetic pathways, greener reaction conditions, designing greener chemicals, and-this year's new category-climate change.
During the 20 years of the program, EPA has received more than 1500 nominations and presented awards to 104 technologies. An independent panel of technical experts convened by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute formally judged submissions from nominated technologies and made recommendations to EPA for the 2015 winners. Winning technologies have reduced more than 826 million pounds of hazardous chemicals, saved 21 billion gallons of water, and eliminated 7.8 billion pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent releases to air.
For more information on this year's winners and those from the last two decades, visit http://www2.epa.gov/green-chemistry
For more information on Hybrid Coating Technologies, visit http://www.hybridcoatingtech.com/
# # #