Sullair aims to be carbon neutral by 2030

Compressor specialist Sullair has released details of a long-term climate action strategy and goal designed to see it become carbon neutral by 2023.

The Sullair Michigan City campus achieved carbon neutral status in fiscal 2021 (Photo: Sullair)

The company, a subsidiary of Hitachi Group, said it will carry out several capital expenditure projects that will lower CO2. It will also transition to 100% renewable electricity by implementing a carbon offset program.

“Sustainability is both at the core of our strategy and a driver of our business,” said John Randall, president and CEO of Sullair.

“Customers and businesses are increasingly making a conscious effort to buy products and services that help promote sustainability, assist the environment, and reduce the impact of climate change.

“By establishing this long-term climate roadmap and taking immediate action, we aim to fully play our part in the fight against climate change.”

The company’s long-term climate action strategy includes three focus areas:

1. Undertaking capital expenditure projects over the next 12 months to facilitate CO2 reduction including:

• Upgrade nearly 1,100 fluorescent lights in its Michigan City, Ind. factories to high-efficiency LED lighting, reducing its annual CO2 by 350 tons.
• Upgrade its nearly 40-year-old HVAC equipment to a variable refrigerate flow (VRF) HVAC system, reducing CO2 by 605 tons each year.
• Install 80 pace node devices throughout its Michigan City campus to monitor energy usage on each piece of equipment.
• In its global facilities, install a variable speed drive compressor to power its China manufacturing facility, along with installing solar panels and upgrading air conditioning units.
• In Australia, transition its service fleet to hybrid vehicles and, later, fully electric vehicles.

2. Transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by joining a voluntary green power program to run a portion of its Michigan City campus which purchases Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) on the company’s behalf and allows Sullair to designate a portion of its monthly electric usage to come from power generated by renewable energy sources, such as wind power.

3. Implementing a voluntary carbon offset program allowing Sullair to offset CO2 emissions while developing and implementing future additional measures for fossil fuel use reduction over the next 4 years.

The plan will be delivered in conjunction with the targets set by Hitachi Group as part of its long-term environmental targets. The “Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050” aims to achieve caron neutrality in all of its factories by 2030 and its entire value chain by 2050.