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New Zealand Business Council
for Sustainable Development
for Sustainable Development
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ECO-EFFICIENCY CASE STUDY – 3M’S SOLVENT RECOVERY SYSTEM
3M New Zealand Ltd is a subsidiary of 3M Corporation, with 210 employees. 3M Corporation operates in 65 countries. 3M NZ focuses on the importation and distribution of 3M products to the NZ market and also manufactures a range of metal, foil-backed adhesive tapes for global export. Why was project undertaken? The project incentives were: • Waste reduction; • Reduced consumption of resources; • Reduced atmospheric emissions of “global warming” materials; • Compliance with expected regulations; and • A global 3M initiative to reduce the company’s emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). This was embodied in 3M’s 1987 Corporate Policy - “Air Emissions’ Reduction Programme”, and is in line with 3M’s 3Ps (Pollution Preventions Pays) initiative. Project Targets The project targets were: • Capture 90% of VOC emissions and to recover 90% of the captured VOC’s for reuse; • Achieve a maximum concentration of 10mg per cubic meter of ethyl acetate in the exhaust air to atmosphere; • Achieve a maximum mass flow rate of 4 Kg per hour total VOC in the exhaust air to atmosphere; • Discharge waste water to sewer with a maximum concentration of 2% ethanol. • Reduce purchased solvent costs by around NZ$500,000 a year. Results The project results included: • Targeted reductions in emissions achieved; • All conditions of original and subsequent Resource Consents achieved; • Solvent purchases and costs reduced by 80%+; • No complaints from neighbours to the site. • Solvent purchase cost savings of over $500,000 pa Actions 1993: • Select the best technology from a range of options following discussion and review with 3M’s Emission Control Resource Centre in USA. Approximately 10 technology options were reviewed before selecting the Carbon Absorption process. The choice was made because of the cost savings from the ability to reuse recovered solvent with this technology and because of the availability of a near new and appropriately sized process vessel in 3M Spain; 1996: • Upgrade to design and build a water stripper to improve recovery rate and manage a new product mix. • Design, fabricate and install a gas and vapour monitoring system. 2000: • Improve the performance of the system to meet new discharge permit conditions. Key Issues Key project issues included: • The choice of technology • Capital cost • Operating cost • Space • Emission targets • Measurement Stakeholders Project stakeholders were: • 3M management and employees • Local and national government authorities • Neighbours of the 3M site Partnerships The project involved successful collaboration with: • Auckland Regional Council • Engineering specialists • Equipment Fabricators, installers and plant commissioners More information For further details contact Dave Morkel at 3M (phone 09 443 9117 or email dmorkel@mmm.com)
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