DuPont's Sustainability Journey: A Path to Operational Excellence and Environmental Responsibility

DuPont Personal Protection remains dedicated to achieving operational excellence and improved productivity while significantly minimising our environmental footprint. DuPont has participated in the Operations Transformation work management process, recognising the need for a cultural shift and a new operating philosophy to achieve its 2030 goals. This initiative aims for every manufacturing site for Tyvek? fabric fiber to adopt an integrated approach, aligning with corporate and business climate goals.

Site Sustainability Leadership:

In pursuit of sustainability, each manufacturing site now boasts a designated Site Sustainability Leader. These leaders play a pivotal role in creating tailored plans for their sites, strategically decoupling carbon emissions from growth while considering future needs.

Energy and Emissions: A Bold Transformation

The Spruance site in Richmond, VA, USA, which manufactures the Tyvek? fabric, underwent a conversion from coal to natural gas to produce steam and electricity more efficiently with fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Combusting natural gas has approximately half as many GHGs as coal combustion, which will reduce GHG emissions by more than 100,000 metric tons of CO2e (MTCO2e) annually. This carbon emission reduction is equivalent to removing 22,000 cars from the road. The project was completed near the end of 2019, and in 2020, DuPont started to realise the resource and environmental benefits.

Bold Energy Plan: Driving Efficiency

The primary mechanism we use to reduce our energy usage to manufacture Tyvek? fabric is the Bold Energy Plan, a continuous improvement program developed by DuPont and launched company-wide in 2008 to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions at our global manufacturing locations. As part of the Bold Energy Plan, we have undertaken the following projects at our manufacturing sites since 2016:

• Energy-efficient equipment -

Overhauled utility production equipment to switch to more sustainable energy resources, facilitating significant GHG emission reductions.

• Heat recovery -

Optimized heat recovery systems at our facilities, saving energy and fuel.

• HVAC overhaul-

Made improvements to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, including upgrades and part replacements.

• LED lighting -

Retrofitted buildings with light-emitting diode (LED) lighting for more significant emissions savings.

Renewable Energy Commitment:

DuPont, a participant in the RE100 global initiative by Climate Group and CDP, aims to shift its electricity consumption entirely to renewable sources. The company targets deriving 60% of its electricity from renewables by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.?

A significant step in this direction was the April 2022 announcement that Tyvek? will be produced using renewable electricity, a move enabled by purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) to match the energy consumed in DuPont's 2022 operations.?

The company plans to buy RECs annually, aligning with its 2030 Sustainability Goals. DuPont's ongoing commitment to the RE100 initiative and its Bold Energy Plan emphasises its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy savings in the next decade.

Waste Reduction: Towards Zero Waste

DuPont's commitment to zero waste is evident through a robust 4R (Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle) waste reduction program at its manufacturing sites. Establishing an onsite recycling facility in Luxembourg for Tyvek? production waste showcases its dedication.?

The facility uses a sophisticated shredder-feeder-extruder combination system that processes all types of Tyvek? production waste and pelletises it for reuse. This system makes it easy and efficient to reprocess post-industrial waste into High- high-density polyethene (HDPE) granulates for reuse. For example, recycled HDPE granulates produce plastic cores around which Tyvek? can be wound for storage and shipping.?

DuPont's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its manufacturing sites. It has an ongoing partnership to give Tyvek? production waste in Richmond, VA, a second life in highly engineered water management products. Here, this waste finds purpose in creating highly engineered water management products, furthering our efforts towards creating a circular economy.

Water Management: Sustaining a Precious Resource

Another aspect of our global footprint is understanding where and how DuPont operations interact with local watersheds. We withdraw and purchase water from various local sources and entities to conduct business. Some water is treated and returned to a local waterbody; some is rendered in our manufacturing processes or used for other purposes, such as employee health and hygiene. As part of our ISO 14001 certification, we continuously monitor and strive to optimise our water consumption.

As we progress towards reducing our environmental impact, these initiatives underscore DuPont Personal Protection's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible business practices. Each step reflects its dedication to creating a safer, greener, and more sustainable future for all.

To join the Tyvek? recycling programme, click here.

WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMERS

*Tyvek? is made of HDPE, and products made of 100% Tyvek? material can be recycled at facilities that recycle flexible HDPE materials. Please check recycling facilities in your area to ensure they can recycle Tyvek?.

This information is based upon technical data that DuPont believes to be reliable. It is subject to revision as additional knowledge and experience are gained. It is intended for use by persons having technical skills for evaluation under their specific end-use conditions at their discretion and risk. It is not intended as a substitute for any testing you may conduct to determine the suitability of our products for your particular purpose. Since conditions of use are outside our control, DUPONT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATIONS, NO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE AND ASSUME NO LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION. This information is not intended as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any trademark, patent, or technical knowledge of DuPont or others covering any material or its use.

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