Author: sHq_LoGiNz

In this episode, the host, Keith Knoke, Chair of the board of Inogen Alliance is joined by Andrew Sweetman and Andrew Young to explore how environmental, health, safety and sustainability expertise supports mergers and acquisitions, from identifying risks before a transaction to protecting value after the deal closes. The conversation brings together perspectives from the UK, Singapore and the US.

We discuss how due diligence is expanding beyond immediate liabilities to consider long-term resilience and opportunities for value creation. Examples involving an uncertain underground storage tank, food packaging and water-dependent operations show how environmental issues can affect deal timing, investment plans and future business performance.

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Time Stamps

• 00:00:06 – Introduction: EHS across the M&A deal life cycle
• 00:00:34 – Introducing the guests and regional perspectives
• 00:01:13 – How due diligence is expanding beyond liabilities
• 00:03:03 – Value creation and the investment case
• 00:04:47 – What buyers may underestimate in unfamiliar markets
• 00:06:20 – When hidden environmental issues threaten a deal
• 00:06:54 – An uncertain underground tank and an insurance solution
• 00:08:50 – Food packaging risks and supply chain options
• 00:10:36 – Why location changes a facility’s risk profile
• 00:13:12 – Compliance and risk assessment across regions
• 00:14:54 – Local regulators and the importance of local support
• 00:16:28 – Explaining risk-based expectations to US multinationals
• 00:17:34 – Translating due diligence findings for decision makers
• 00:19:02 – The handover from deal teams to operational EHS teams
• 00:20:45 – Safety culture and integration challenges
• 00:22:54 – Evolving expectations and broader due diligence scopes
• 00:24:35 – Climate resilience, water security and supply chains
• 00:26:08 – Drought and disruption to water-dependent businesses
• 00:27:40 – Looking ahead at global M&A due diligence
• 00:30:14 – Cross-cultural lessons, curiosity and closing reflections

Guest Quotes

Andrew Young 
“Will this business remain investable and operationally resilient over the next decade or decade plus?”

Andy Sweetman 
“I think that’s where having really good local support when you’re doing an international deal is absolutely vital.”

Solving the Heat Pump Water Heater Puzzle 

• ENERGY STAR-certified heat pump water heaters can save a household of four about $550 a year.
• Federal standards taking effect in 2029 will make heat pump efficiency the norm for most electric tank water heaters.
• Installing a modern HPWH is similar to installing a standard 50-gallon electric water heater, and most 240-volt models need only a 30-amp circuit.
• The main difference is draining condensate, which can usually tie into existing drains or pumps near HVAC equipment.
• HPWHs use a sealed refrigeration system, so plumbers typically don’t need an EPA refrigerant license.

What Contractors Need to Know 

Starting in 2029, new federal efficiency standards will require most electric tank water heaters sold in the U.S. to reach a level only heat pump technology can deliver. For plumbing and HVAC contractors who haven’t installed a heat pump water heater (HPWH), that shift can inspire some trepidation. 

Plumbers may feel uncertain about the heat pump component, while HVAC technicians might prefer to avoid plumbing intricacies. Early models presented challenges, but modern HPWH installation is far more straightforward. At its core, the process today is similar to installing a standard 50-gallon electric water heater.

As the building and trades communities come together for the 2026 Heat Pump Water Heater Week (October 26-29) to drive awareness and demystify the technology, education is key to easing contractor hesitation. This guide from heat pump pioneer LG Electronics answers the questions contractors ask most about HPWH installation and offers insight into how this technology can be turned into a reliable revenue stream while offering additional benefits to customers.

1. What are the HPWH electrical requirements? 

A common concern among contractors is that installing HPWHs will involve complex electrical upgrades that fall outside their area of expertise. If a customer is switching from a gas water heater, they may need to work with an electrician to make necessary upgrades. 

Switching from gas to an electric HPWH also eliminates the risk of carbon monoxide from the water heater. However, switching from a conventional electric water heater is fairly simple because most 240-volt HPWH models only require a 30-amp circuit and 10-gauge electrical wire. 

2. How is HPWH condensate managed? 

The primary difference between an HPWH and a standard tank lies in condensate management. Unlike traditional tanks, which generate heat through internal components, HPWHs heat water by pulling in heat from the surrounding air and exhausting cool, dry air. 

As a result, they generate a non-toxic condensate that needs to be drained away. Thankfully, because water heaters are typically installed near HVAC equipment or gas furnaces, where pumps or drains are already in place, adding a condensate pump or integrating with an existing line is usually straightforward.

3. Do plumbers need an EPA license for HPWH installation? 

The short answer is no. For plumbers, a key point of reassurance is that HPWHs use a sealed refrigeration cycle, removing the need for most specialized licenses from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or for gauges or refrigerant handling under normal installation conditions. The process is similar to installing a self-contained appliance, such as a refrigerator, with the additional step of connecting water lines and addressing condensate handling.

4. Do HPWHs help customers save energy?

Yes. Though the upfront cost of an HPWH unit is typically higher, the operating costs are lower due to their energy efficiency. Unlike HPWHs with single-speed compressors, models from leading manufacturers such as LG use inverter-driven, variable-speed compressors that adjust output based on demand to optimize energy use. They can operate across a wide capacity range to meet peak hot water needs. This intelligent modulation helps ensure consistent performance and drive significant energy savings. LG’s 58-gallon model, for example, has a Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) of up to 3.93, compared with about 0.94 for a standard electric water heater.

Compared with traditional electric water heaters, ENERGY STAR-certified HPWHs can reduce energy consumption by up to 70%. This efficiency has the potential to save a household of four approximately $550 annually and more than $5,600 over the unit’s lifetime. Many local utilities offer rebates that can offset the upfront cost, and manufacturer warranties help protect the investment. 

5. What capacity replaces a standard water heater? 

To meet varying household demands, the high-efficiency inverter heat pump water heater  from LG is available in 58- and 80-gallon models. The 58-gallon model offers a higher-capacity upgrade to traditional 50-gallon units. 

For larger households, the 80-gallon model fills the market gap left by older 80-gallon electric tank water heaters, which were phased out in certain markets when the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) updated its efficiency standards. Heat pump technology is now effectively required at this capacity, making the 80-gallon HPWH a natural replacement option.

6. How loud are HPWHs?  

Thanks to advanced inverter compressors that adjust capacity based on demand, LG HPWHs operate with sound levels as low as 40-42 decibels, which is comparable to the noise level of a suburban neighborhood at night, according to Yale University. 

7. What are the HPWH spatial requirements? 

HPWHs require a minimum of 450 to 700 cubic feet of free air space to function at peak efficiency, according to ENERGY STAR. Basements and garages are two common installation locations. Sometimes damp and musty, basements may benefit from the dehumidifying effect of HPWHs, which can help prevent stale air and protect stored items from moisture damage. An HPWH can also offset the heat and humidity generated by appliances that are often stored in the basement, such as laundry machines. 

Installing an HPWH in the garage can also create a cooler, drier space. This can help reduce the cooling load on the rest of the house, which can increase overall energy savings, depending on the installation conditions and climate. 

Finally, because HPWHs exhaust air that’s roughly 15 degrees cooler than the ambient temperature, contractors can leverage them for highly specific needs. For instance, when Louie Delaware, president and co-founder of the Living in Place Institute, an organization focused on accessible homes, was building his custom Colorado home, his contractor installed an LG HPWH in his wine cellar so the cool exhaust could help keep his collection chilled.

8. Are HPWHs the new baseline?

Multiple factors are driving an increase in HPWH adoption. Not only does the technology offer compelling return on investment for homeowners, but contractors are beginning to realize that HPWH adoption is a smart future-proofing strategy. 

Starting in May 2029, updated DOE standards will require most electric storage water heaters to reach efficiency levels only possible with heat pump technology. Getting ahead of this regulatory shift gives contractors a competitive advantage.

HPWHs from LG Air Conditioning Technologies USA  can help contractors expand their services, support customer expectations and build lasting growth.

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Chemours has achieved a 57% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since 2018, reducing about 454,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT CO₂e) compared to 2024 and remaining on track for a 60% absolute reduction by 2030. Cumulative emissions reductions since 2018 are primarily due to energy efficiency improvements, the implementation of process emissions abatement technology, and investments in alternative energy technologies including renewable energy initiatives.

Chemours’ Scope 3 indirect GHG emissions, which are primarily attributable to downstream use of our refrigerant products, saw an absolute reduction of 30% since 2018. This is due in large part to increased adoption of our Opteon™ low-global-warming potential refrigerants. In addition to the decrease in absolute emissions, we also reduced our Scope 3 emissions intensity— measured as metric tons of CO₂e per ton of production—by 4% compared to our 2018 baseline, representing measured progress toward our goal of 25% emissions intensity reduction by 2030. Chemours calculates and reports Scope 3 emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard.

Leveraging Automation to Align Energy Use with Production Demand

Across a diverse network of manufacturing sites, optimizing energy use is more than just a technical challenge—it’s a strategic commitment to efficiency, sustainability, and smart operations. In 2025, several manufacturing sites implemented projects to match resource use directly to real-time process demands so that energy is only consumed when truly needed.

Combining equipment upgrades, automation, operational discipline, and digital monitoring, each initiative demonstrates a unique approach to achieving the right amount of energy at the right time. These initiatives include:

• Chemours Changshu Works site in China installed high-efficiency water pump motors equipped with variable frequency drives, enabling pump operation to scale with process demand. These upgrades reduced unnecessary continuous operation across both continuous and batch pumping systems.

• Chemours Dordrecht Works site in the Netherlands installed variable speed drives on boiler feed water pumps, allowing pump speeds to match real-time process needs rather than running at a constant rate. This adjustment reduces excess energy consumption during varying demand conditions.

• Chemours Titanium Dioxide manufacturing site in DeLisle, Mississippi retrofitted automatic shutoff controls on blend station motors in the packing area to ensure motors only run during active material transfer. Previously, these sizable motors operated nonstop, regardless of demand. This upgrade slashes idle runtime and closely aligns energy use with actual production activity. Our team in DeLisle also developed a site-wide dashboard to monitor the status of electrical motors during plant shutdowns and trigger automated alerts if motors remain running. The tool improves visibility and accountability, helping ensure motors are powered down promptly after shutdown events and reducing unnecessary energy consumption across multiple plant areas.

Together, these initiatives show how automation and strong operational practices can align energy use with real-time manufacturing needs, delivering measurable savings and enabling continuous improvement.

Innovating to Reduce Process Energy Use 

Through advanced data analysis, engineering expertise, and innovative design, we have achieved significant energy reductions at Chemours’ Corpus Christi site in Texas. Here, we installed a Process-to-Process Heat Exchanger to reuse heat directly between two process streams and reduce reliance on external heating. This technology reduced annual steam use by nearly 70 million pounds—lowering overall site energy consumption by nearly 4% and cutting annual GHG emissions by over 2,500 tons of CO₂e. These improvements also conserve valuable water resources by reducing steam demand. This initiative demonstrates how continuous improvement and effective collaboration across disciplines can advance Chemours’ commitment to environmental responsibility.

Recognition for an Efficient, Energy-Saving Solution 

In 2025, our Titanium Dioxide manufacturing site in DeLisle, Mississippi implemented automated standby logic for steam powered mills that reduced idle time, improved process consistency, and eliminated manual intervention. The zero-capital solution achieved $270,000 in cost savings in its first six months of operation and earned a 2026 Better Project Award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) .

Investing in Renewable Energy 

Chemours is continuously exploring cost-effective technology options for on-site energy generation or purchased renewable energy agreements through utilities. Where possible, we prioritize projects that support the increase of renewables to local electricity grids in the areas where we operate when cost beneficial. As of year-end 2025, we have committed to procure approximately 226,493 MWh of renewable power annually and are actively deploying renewable electricity solutions at sites in Dordrecht, the Netherlands; Mechelen, Belgium; Belle, West Virginia; New Johnsonville, Tennessee; Mission & Offerman, Georgia; and Starke, Florida.

Addressing Product CO₂ Emissions 

As Chemours advances the transition of our current refrigerant portfolio to lower-global warming potential (GWP) products, such as our Opteon™ portfolio, we’re helping customers and consumers avoid generating CO₂e emissions, which in turn helps reduce our Scope 3 product-use emissions. In 2025, Opteon™ sales helped prevent the release of over 80 million MT CO2 e into the atmosphere by replacing high-GWP refrigerants. We are pleased to have achieved our 2025 goal, with low-GWP products delivering more than 350 million tons of avoided global CO₂e emissions.

Read more in Chemours’ latest Sustainability Report.

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