3M’s Brownwood team has a proud history of conducting business with its mind on the environment. This 3M team continually sets the bar higher.

  Every five years, 3M Corporate challenges each facility to meet performance goals. The 2001 through 2005 goals called for reducing emissions, material waste, and toxic and hazardous wastes, as well as improving energy efficiency and doubling pollution-prevention projects.

  3M Brownwood accepted the challenge and developed strategies to successfully meet each of the targets. They did, and exceeded most. The team reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by 45 percent, waste per pound of product by 25 percent, and improved energy efficiency per pound of product by 20 percent. Two major projects that helped them succeed included the development of solvent-less and water-based technologies and the retrofit of mixing kettles, which allowed the plant to reduce VOCs by more than 130 tons.

  In addition, an incentive program rewards employees who develop systems that reduce or prevent pollution. Since 2001, Brownwood employees started more than 140 pollution prevention projects, more than any other 3M facility worldwide. These projects eliminated 398 tons of air pollution and 5,823 tons of solid/hazardous waste, and also reduced energy consumption by 150,000 MMBtu with an annual savings of $16.3 million. Since 1990, the plant has reduced VOC air emissions by an astonishing 96 percent.

  These achievements reflect the long tradition of environmental stewardship at the 3M Brownwood plant. It holds ISO 14001 EMS certification since 2000, is a Platinum member of TCEQ’s CLEAN TEXAS Program, and a charter member of EPA’s National Performance Track Program.

   A shining example of environmental responsibility, 3M Brownwood continuously strives to reduce air emissions, waste, and energy consumption.