GE Water and Process Technologies recently awarded Clear Path Recycling with its Ecomagination Leadership and Return on Environment (ROE) awards to recognize the plastic bottle recycling operation for its reductions in chemical usage and cost. The GE Ecomagination Leadership award recognizes the achievements of industrial users for balancing environmental, industrial, and sustainability challenges, and is given to the top GE customers in environmental and economic performance. The ROE award honors a significant environmental (water, energy, resource) accomplishment.

Clear Path–a joint venture between Shaw Industries and DAK Americas–recycles approximately 3 billion plastic bottles annually. Converting post-consumer PET packaging into polyester fiber for Shaw’s carpet products saves approximately 1.5 trillion British thermal units of energy annually.

“Delivering a high quality, environmentally sustainable solution cost-effectively is paramount,” said Carlos Garcia, managing director for Clear Path Recycling. “GE devised a far-reaching strategy for us to improve chemical control, use more efficient chemical products and capture data to improve operations. The project exceeded our expectations in lowering costs, and the quality of our recycled product greatly improved. We are honored that GE recognized us with Ecomagination Leadership and ROE awards.”

Faced with running a recycling operation more economically and the desire to become even more sustainable, Clear Path Recycling in Fayetteville, N.C., turned to GE’s advanced chemistry and digital tools to optimize its PET plastic bottle recycling process. GE Water and Process Technologies provides Clear Path Recycling with chemistry and its InSight asset performance management system, including data analytics and process controls, which improved product quality and material handling safety. As a result, the company substantially reduced chemical usage and costs while improving process control and quality.

“Our products are at the center of places where millions of life events occur,” said Paul Murray, vice president of sustainability and environmental affairs for Shaw. “We can have a positive impact on people’s lives with our products and our operations. A focus on material health, material reutilization and continuous improvement is part of our strategic approach to sustainability. That’s exemplified by this project.”

Amy Ericson, global leader of chemical and monitoring solutions for GE Water and Process Technologies, added, “This project is a shining example that a company can achieve sustainability goals while also realizing economic benefits. Clear Path Recycling is very deserving of both the GE Ecomagination Leadership and ROE awards for its leadership in this space.”

For more information, visit www.ge.com or www.clearpathrecycling.com.