Month: April 2024

Originally published on Saint-Gobain Newsroom

Saint-Gobain, through its building materials subsidiary CertainTeed Siding, announced that it has achieved a 96% reduction (Scopes 1 & 2 only) in emissions from the manufacturing of polymer shakes, vinyl trim, millwork, and vinyl siding at its manufacturing facilities in McPherson, Kansas, Social Circle, Georgia, and Williamsport, Maryland, respectively. With fully electrified processes and 100% of the electricity used backed by renewable energy credits (RECs), Saint-Gobain has taken a significant step in its mission to provide low carbon siding products to the US market and reduce its environmental footprint.

This ambitious project comes as the company continues to successfully execute its global Grow and Impact strategy which commits to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and includes aggressive sustainability goals for reduction of energy and water use, landfill contributions, and increased use of recycled raw material. The current energy project by the Siding business complements the company’s three existing Power Purchase Agreements that will provide enough renewable electricity to cover over 70% of the electricity demand at all of Saint-Gobain’s industrial sites in North America when fully on line by 2025.

With the production processes now powered by renewable energy at the initial three facilities, the business is working to eliminate remaining sources of emissions not directly related to production, such as natural gas for plant heating and propane for forklift trucks. That work will result in fully net-zero facilities within the next few years, and Saint-Gobain will expand the program to additional Siding manufacturing sites. In addition to emissions reduction, pursuit of Saint-Gobain’s sustainability goals through multiple projects within the Siding Group has resulted in significant reductions in water use and discharge, and landfill contributions, including the 50% reduction of water consumption (over 9 million gallons) by its Jackson, Michigan facility resulting from the installation of a smart water submetering system and upgraded production equipment.

“As a leader in light and sustainable construction, we must focus on ensuring our manufacturing practices are as sustainable as possible, and our efforts toward achieving a near net-zero production process for Scopes 1 and 2 emissions in McPherson, Social Circle and Williamsport are a giant step forward as we continue this work,” said Joe Bondi, Vice President and General Manager of CertainTeed Siding. “These achievements are a shining example of how we can continue to provide quality products to our customers while committing to sustainable business practices. I thank every member of the team for their work to make this progress possible and for your dedication to our purpose —‘Making the World a Better Home.”’

This project follows several other recent actions taken by the company to solidify its commitment towards sustainability:

In September, Saint-Gobain announced that it signed a 15-year, 100 MW power purchase agreement with TotalEnergies for the purchase of solar power, expected to offset Saint-Gobain North America’s CO2 emissions from electricity by 90,000 metric tons per year.In August, Saint-Gobain announced a circular economy initiative in its Ceramics business, where scrap finished goods from its Bryan, Texas facility are sent to other Saint-Gobain Ceramics plants to be reused in production, instead of ending in landfills.In July, the company announced upgrades at its CertainTeed Insulation plant in Athens, Georgia, which is projected to save over 7,300 MWh of energy and 20 million gallons of water annually, while reducing landfill waste by over 5,000 MT.Also in July, Saint-Gobain announced the opening of a new CertainTeed Architectural facility in Conyers, Georgia, which will be co-located with finishing partner QPC, allowing the company to drastically reduce the distance products must travel to finalize production, reducing carbon emissions by over 50 million pounds per year.In June, Saint-Gobain announced that it had been awarded a 2023 SEAL Business Sustainability Award for its work to create the first “net zero-carbon” gypsum wallboard facility for scope 1 and 2 emissions in North America at its plant outside Montreal, Quebec.

With over 145 manufacturing locations in the United States and Canada, every current and future member of the company’s team plays a vital role in achieving its sustainability goals. A current list of job openings at all Saint-Gobain locations, including in McPherson, Social Circle and Williamsport, can be found on the company’s career website.

About CertainTeed

With innovative building solutions made possible through its comprehensive offering of interior and exterior products, CertainTeed is transforming how the industry builds. As leaders in building science and sustainable construction, CertainTeed makes it easier than ever to create high-performance, energy-efficient places to live, work and play, so that together we can make the world a better home. 

A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest and oldest building products companies, CertainTeed has more than 6,900 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The group had total sales of approximately $5.6 billion in 2021. www.certainteed.com

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€47.9 billion in sales in 2023
160,000 employees, locations in 76 countries 
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 

Media Contact: 
Saint-Gobain in North America: 
Peter Clark 
Saint-Gobain Corporate Communications 
Media@saint-gobain.com

For more details on Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on Twitter @saintgobain.

Watch our Chairman and CEO John Schlifske discuss our commitment to sustainability and social impact.
 

Originally published by Northwestern Mutual on April 17th, 2024

We put people first, helping our clients build financial security across generations. This is why a commitment to sustainability and social impact is at the core of our business.

Check out five key takeaways from our 2023 Sustainability and Social Impact report: 

Delivering financial security for 167 Years 

We’ve been helping people to find financial security since 1857. In 2023, we proudly assisted more than 5 million Americans and delivered record-setting dividends to policyowners, a sum expected to reach $7.3 billion in 2024.

Expanding financial access for historically underserved entrepreneurs and communities 

We’re committed to bridging the wealth gap by investing in financial access. For example, through Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, we have a goal of investing $20 million in women and $20 million in African American/Black entrepreneurs. And through our $175 million Impact Investment Fund, increased by $75 million in 2023, we’re supporting entrepreneurs in underserved communities, both locally and nationally.

Investing in our communities to drive transformational and sustainable outcomes that improve lives 

We’re passionate about making a difference in our communities. Through the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, we’ve contributed more than $50 million nationally since 2012 to advance research and treatments in childhood cancer and support the families affected by it. In 2023, our Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program awarded $500,000 in combined scholarships to 50 childhood cancer survivors and childhood cancer siblings to help alleviate the financial cost of college for impacted families.

Enabling everyone’s success through a culture of belonging 

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to grow and contribute their best for the benefit of our clients and policyowners. Today, more than one-third of our employees participate in employee resource groups. Additionally, 30 percent of employees are people of color and 49 percent are women.

Demonstrating long-lasting commitments to people and planet 

We’re reducing our environmental impact through energy efficiency, carbon reduction, water conservation, and waste management. In 2023, we announced a new $500 million investment in our Milwaukee campus, with a goal of diverting at least 75 percent of construction waste from landfills. That means a cleaner, healthier planet for all of us.
 

Learn more about how we are building a better tomorrow by reading the Northwestern Mutual 2023 Sustainability and Social Impact report.

DUBLIN, April 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Americans overwhelmingly say that when they think about longevity, it’s more than just living longer—it’s about living their healthiest, best lives. While most want to live to 90—well past the average U.S. life expectancy of 77.5 years—nearly two-thirds (66%) would choose a shorter, healthier life over a longer one with health issues. These findings, from a survey conducted by global healthcare technology leader Medtronic with Morning Consult, highlight a gap between U.S. adults’ desire to live healthier years and the opportunity for more people to improve their quality of life through healthcare technology.

With almost limitless health-related information at our fingertips and new healthcare innovations emerging daily, the American dream of extending both our lifespan and quality of life seems possible. However, only 39% of U.S. adults say they are taking preventative health measures such as screenings and regular medical check-ups, and less than a third (29%) are discussing longevity with their doctor. Only about half are focused on eating healthy (53%) and exercising (51%), despite diet and physical inactivity being leading contributors to chronic disease. And while 80% of Americans believe healthcare technology can help them live longer and healthier, only 18% are taking advantage of it.

“Health conditions can impact anyone at any age, so it’s critical that we expand treatment options while also continuing to focus on prevention, so people can prioritize what’s most important to them,” said Dr. Laura Mauri, chief scientific, medical and regulatory officer at Medtronic. “The role of technology in helping people live longer and better lives is accelerating. It’s enabling more personalized treatments, quicker recoveries and earlier diagnosis. What’s more, every day researchers are discovering new technologies that continue to improve longevity and quality of life.”

Perhaps the greatest power of technology is the range of options—and hope—it can give people regardless of their current health status. Already, healthcare technology is helping catch cancer before it progresses, treat pain with less oral medication and reduce the burden from chronic diseases.

“In my 19 years as a diabetic, I feel more supported by my diabetes technology than I ever have before,” said Cameron Moore, who uses a Medtronic insulin pump with meal detection technology. “It means I worry less about complications so I can focus on the here and now of life with my family and enjoy each day to the fullest.”

There are steps people can take today to take charge of their health and live their best life. Follow the acronym T.E.C.H.:

Talk to your doctor – Thanks to technologies like AI, there are new screening options that help detect and treat diseases earlier, including several common cancers and avoiding stroke. Ask your doctor what’s available and how it might benefit you.Explore treatment options – No one wants to be defined by their disease or ailment. Technology is helping reduce the burden of living with chronic conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and neurologic disease and tech can also be an alternative to opioids for chronic pain.Check your assumptions – Some people delay getting treatment due to worry about a long hospitalization or recovery time. Non-invasive or minimally invasive surgery procedures are resulting in fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and faster return to normal activities.Honor your needs – Ensure your doctor knows what’s important to you— attending a special event, continuing an activity you enjoy, or simplifying your care. This will help them develop a treatment plan with you that prioritizes your quality of life.

For more information on how Medtronic is advancing healthcare through technology and helping people live longer and healthier, visit Medtronic.com.

About the Consumer Perceptions of Longevity Survey 
The survey was conducted by decision intelligence company Morning Consult among a nationally representative sample of 2,200 adults in the U.S. from February 15-20, 2024, with an unweighted margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points.

About Medtronic 
Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic (NYSE:MDT), visit www.Medtronic.com and follow Medtronic on LinkedIn.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic’s periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Contacts:

Erika Winkels
Public Relations
+1-763-526-8472

Ryan Weispfenning
Investor Relations
+1-763-505-4626