Case Studies
Progress in action
These case studies provide a synopsis of OEWRI's sustainability projects.
Each case study covers the goals, actions and outcomes of the project, all crafted for the specific company.
True Manufacturing
Overview: True Manufacturing has been a leader in manufacturing commercial and residential refrigeration equipment since 1945 and has a strong commitment to sustainability.
Pollution Prevention (P2) practices
True Manufacturing has been aggressively pursuing P2 since 2009 through their sustainability program.
The following are some of the successful P2 practices that the company has implemented over the years, including their most recent projects:
- Converted from solvent-based coatings to powder coating.
- Re-use scrap metal on-site.
- Replace R22 insulation blowing agent to Eco-Mate low GWP blowing agent foam to reduce Global warming potential of the product.
- 575kW of roof-top solar panels and installed solar water heating for restrooms.
- Reduced natural gas consumption by 38% per square foot through retro-commissioning.
- Reduced electricity consumption by improving air compressor efficiency, reducing compressed air leaks, and retrofitting lighting to LED and installing lighting controls.
- Reuse of quench tank overflow following the coating process by using it as overflow for the two rinse tanks on the parts washing system.
New water conservation strategy
Water reduction of 2.5 million gallons per year, saving $22,500
More recently, the company has implemented an aggressive program to reduce water consumption from the parts-washing process.
Company engineers measured the total dissolved solids levels in rinse tanks over time to establish a defined level of contamination that could adversely impact the parts-washing process on three of the four coating lines.
Once the levels were established, freshwater overflow rates were adjusted to maintain adequate contaminant levels in the tanks.
This allowed the company to reduce overflow rates by seven gallons per minute on one line, and nine gallons per minute on the other two lines. This has resulted in a total annual water reduction of 2.5 million gallons per year, yielding an annual savings of $22,500.
Solid waste reduction
Waste reduction of over about 40,000 pounds per year, saving over $80,000
In 2021, the company installed a powder coating sieve to remove contaminants and large particles from powder paint used in the fluidized bed. The filtered powder is then reused in the fluidized bed.
Since implementing the new equipment, the company has reduced over 40,000 pounds per year of waste powder paint for a savings of $80,351. The cost to implement the paint sieve was $27,000, resulting in a payback of just 0.34 yrs.