Republic Chemical Industries or RCI, is the name behind the brands Pioneer Epoxy and Mighty Bond. These are some of the popular names for our household adhesive needs. The company leads the market in terms of sealants, coatings and adhesives, also in the construction, automotive and marine industry to name a few. What will be our first impression when we talk about these kinds of products? Everything is about chemical, right? Would you believe that Republic Chemical Industries is one of the companies that care for Mother Nature?
The products being manufactured in their main plant at Carmelray Industrial Park in Canlubang, Laguna, passes through a strict quality control procedures so that we can get the best industrial and commercial adhesive products in the market and environment-friendly. Republic Chemical Industries wears with pride that all of their products are Toluene-free and are Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC). Toluene is a colorless, water-insoluble liquid with the odor associated with paint thinners. Exposure to toluene can result in temporary effects such as headaches and dizziness. VOC’s on the other hand, are unstable, carbon-containing compounds that readily vaporize into the air. When this happened, VOC’s react with other elements to produce ozone, thus causing air pollution and may cause also breathing problems, headache, burning, watery eyes and nausea. Republic Chemical Industries make sure that they are producing low VOC’s.
For its commitment to the environment (one of the company’s three main advocacies aside from Education and Disaster Relief), RCI initiated an Environmental Management System (EMS) across their plant site as it continues to promote eco-friendly initiatives.
Republic Chemical Industries Green Initiatives
Solar tubes or so-called solatubes and Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system was installed on the main plant in Canlubang. Solatubes are cylinders that harness natural light and can be used as replacements or enhancements to the lighting provided by electric lights. The solar PV system on the other hand converts solar energy into direct current electricity by using solar panels. 5% in the reduction of the entire plants’ energy consumption was thru the contribution of the solatubes while the solar PV system has its’ share of 10% energy consumption reduction. Aside from the savings in these energy consumption-reduction, the solar PV system enabled Republic Chemical Industries to enter into a net-metering agreement with Meralco that allows the company to send back unutilized power to the grid. This means the power distributor can sell this to other consumers.
Energy-efficient lightings such as T5 lamps and LED bulbs have been installed in different areas, motion-activated lightings were placed on hallways, and the use of task lightings by concentrating the lights solely on work areas. Apart from these, RCI also replaced its old air-conditioning units with inverter-type ACUs, saving the company of 100,000 kWh annually. This is also a part of their ENERCON (energy conservation) awareness campaign by setting a plant-wide standardized ACU temperature to save energy.
The company also recently installed a 22,000-liter capacity rainwater collection system that is projected to collect 4,800 cubic meters of water annually. The rainwater harvesting system is used to collect, store and utilize water for the plant’s landscape, irrigation requirements and restroom use.
And one of the basic way to save mother nature is through recycling. Republic Chemical Industries’ another green initiatives include waste management and segregation, wastewater treatment, construction of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) which will enable them to use again recyclable materials, and the conscious greening of the RCI facility by surrounding the area with more greenery by planting more trees and plants.
RCI President and CEO John Spakowski II addressed,
“It is RCI’s vision to protect and conserve the environment by being proactive in implementing responsible ecological practices in our business activities. We are a company that not only adheres to quality standards but also one that cares for the environment. In fact, we are moving forward with these efforts by coming up with products that are eco-friendly and toluene-free.”
This statement is a remark that the company’s valiant move to remove toluene, a toxic substance, it its products.
Environment, Education and Disaster Relief
Republic Chemical Industries not only initiated the green movement within its’ core, in 2012, Pioneer Adhesives Foundation, Inc. was commissioned to serve the community with 3 main advocacy for Environment, Education and Disaster Relief. The foundation aimed to create a bigger impact on positive change throughout the country.
Here are some of the highlights of Pioneer Adhesive Foundation, Inc. after its’ relaunched in 2015 :
- Boracay Coastal Clean up and Coral Restoration
- 100kgs of trash were collected
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Top 3 trash: cigarette butts, food wrappers and plastic pieces
- 235 volunteers
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400 damaged corals were attached to the coral nurseries
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200 healthy corals were transplanted back to the reefs using Pioneer EpoxyClay Aqua
- Puerto Princesa Mangrove Planting and Reef Fix
- 1,200 propagules planted
- Reef Awareness talk with DOST-PCAARRD and WPU
- 117 Volunteers
- PAFI – DOST PCAARD PARTNERSHIP
- PCAARRD (Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development)
- MOU Signing
- To collaborate on projects that advocate caring for the environment and promoting eco awareness
- PAFI spearheading environmental projects using technologies developed by PCCAARD
The company’s efficient EMS earned it an ISO 14001:2004+Cor 1:2009 certification and recognition from the PCAPI (Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc.) Environmental Awards.
for more info : http://www.repchem.com
