L'Oréal USA Installs Second Rooftop Solar System in the US

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) New York, NY - August 3, 2011 - L'Oréal USA announced today that its Franklin, New Jersey manufacturing facility is partnering with GeoPeak Energy in a Purchase Power Agreement (PPA) to install a 1.0 Megawatt Photovoltaic Solar System at that facility. This is the second solar powered, green energy application for L’Oréal in the US.  The company also uses solar technology in its manufacturing and distribution plants in India, Spain, Mexico and China. Twenty percent of the company’s electricity used globally last year was from renewable sources. 

Once operational, the first phase of the roof-mounted photovoltaic solar energy system is projected to provide 12 percent of the plant’s annual electrical power requirements. In addition, to the solar installation, the plant has contracted with GeoPeak Energy to provide additional carbon credits, thereby allowing the facility to reduce and avoid carbon dioxide  by 1,200 metric tons of CO₂ per year.  The Franklin manufacturing site was also awarded LEED Gold certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) for the expansion of its Franklin plant in December 2010.   “This new solar energy system will help us meet an important sustainability goal which is to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions by 50% by 2015,” said Nicole Zukowski, Vice President and L’Oréal Plant Manager.  “In addition to reducing GHGs, the plant has other key initiatives in development to help reduce water consumption and waste.”   The 310,000 square foot facility, which produces more than 205 million units L’Oréal Paris Skincare and Cosmetics, Maybelline and Garnier Skincare products annually, has already implemented many other energy efficiency and conservation programs. Since 2005, the plant has reduced water usage by 48% (over 3 million liters reduced per year), transportable waste by 42% (over 700 tons per year), and CO2 emissions by 30% (1855 tons per year).    The new clean energy system will be supplied, operated and maintained by GeoPeak Energy. The technology is expected to be operational by the end of 2011.   In 2009, L’Oréal announced three significant long-term environmental 2005-2015 targets for its factories and warehouses which will be measured on a like-for-like basis. They include:

• 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

• 50% reduction in water use per unit of finished product

• 50% reduction in waste generated per unit of finished product

 

About L’Oréal USA L'Oréal USA, headquartered in New York City, with 2010 sales of over $4.7 billion and 9,800 employees, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of L'Oréal SA, the world’s leading beauty company. In addition to corporate headquarters in New York, L'Oréal USA has Research and Innovation, Manufacturing and Distribution facilities across seven states, including New Jersey, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas.  Since 2001, L’Oréal has been measuring its impact on global warming and joined the Global Compact in 2003, reinforcing its commitment to climate change. The company has been recognized by Corporate Knights for being among the 100 most sustainable corporations in the world and by Climate Counts for its leadership in addressing climate change.   L'Oréal's impressive portfolio of brands includes Lancôme, Giorgio Armani Beauty, Yves Saint Laurent Beauté, Viktor & Rolf, Diesel, Cacharel, L'Oréal Paris, Garnier, Vichy, La Roche-Posay, L'Oréal Professionnel, Kérastase and Shu Uemura Art of Hair, Maybelline New York, Soft-Sheen.Carson, Kiehl’s Since 1851, Ralph Lauren Fragrances, Essie Cosmetics, Redken 5th Avenue NYC, Matrix, Mizani, Pureology, SkinCeuticals and Dermablend. For more information visit www.lorealusa.com.   About GeoPeak Energy GeoPeak Energy, headquartered in Somerset NJ, is a global turnkey renewable energy solutions company that designs, deploys, owns and operates renewable energy systems. Through innovative technologies and exceptional customer service we deliver high quality solutions to enable our customers to reach their cost reduction and sustainability goals. Our offerings include project feasibility studies, development, engineering, financing and ownership, installation and delivery, monitoring and maintenance. GeoPeak Energy also specializes in seamless and integrated technology platforms that allow its customers to track and report their carbon reduction and sustainability initiatives globally. For more information visit www.geopeakenergy.com   U.S. Green Building Council
The USGBC community is transforming the way we build, design and operate our buildings for healthier places that save precious resources for people to live, work, learn and play in. UGSBC is helping create buildings and communities that regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Council is the driving force of the green building industry, which is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product by 2013. USGBC leads a diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials, concerned citizens, teachers and students. The USGBC community comprises 80 local chapters, 17,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 155,000 individuals who have earned LEED Professional Credentials. Visit www.usgbc.org for more information.   LORE15807