vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Pollution EPA 745-K-94-005
Prevention and Toxics May 1994
7408
EPA's 33/50 Program
Company Profile
Aldan Rubber Company
U S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5, Library (PL-12J)
77 West Jackson Boulevard, 12th FtoOf
Chicago, !L 60604-3590
Printed on Recycled Paper
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THE 33/50 PROGRAM
This Company Profile is pan of a senes of reports being developed by EPA to highlight the accomplish-
ments of companies participating in the 33/50 Program. The 33/50 Program is an EPA voluntary pollution
reduction initiative that promotes reductions in direct environmental releases and offsite transfers of 17 high-
priority toxic chemicals. The program derives its name from its overall goals — an interim goal of a 33%
reduction by 1992 and an ultimate goal of a 50% reduction by 1995. The program uses 1988 Toxics Release
Inventory (TRI) reporting as a baseline. In February, 1991, EPA began contacting the parent companies of
TRI facilities that reported using 33/50 Program chemicals since 1988 to request their participation in the 33150
Program. As of April, 1994, a total of 1,216
companies had elected to participate in the
Program, pledging to reduce emissions of the 17
target chemicals by more than 355 million
pounds by 1995. Companies are encouraged to
set their own reduction targets, which may vary
from the Program's national 33% and 50%
reduction goals. Company commitments and
reduction pledges continue to be received by
EPA on a daily basis.
The 1992 TRI data revealed that releases
and transfers of 33/50 Program chemicals de-
clined by 40% between 1988 and 1992, surpass-
ing the Program's 1992 interim reduction goal
by more than 100 million pounds. This accom-
plishment, together with evidence from analysis
of facilities' projected releases and transfers of
the 17 priority chemicals, reported to TRI under
the Pollution Prevention Act, offers strong en-
couragement that the 33/50 Program's ultimate
goal of a 50% reduction by 1995 will be
achieved.
17 PRIORITY CHEMICALS TARGETED
BY THE 33/50 PROGRAM
BENZENE
CADMIUM & COMPOUNDS
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE
CHLOROFORM
CHROMIUM & COMPOUNDS
CYANIDES
DICHLOROMETHANE"
LEAD & COMPOUNDS
MERCURY & COMPOUNDS
METHYL ETHYL KETONE
METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE
NICKEL & COMPOUNDS
TETRACHLOROETHYLENE
TOLUENE
1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE
TRICHLOROETHYLENE
XYLENES
Also referred to as methylene chloride
EPA is committed to recognizing compa-
nies for their participation in the 33/50 Program
and for the emissions reductions (hey achieve. The Program issues periodic Progress Reports, in which
participating companies are listed and highlighted. In addition, Company Profiles, such as this one, are being
prepared to provide more detailed information about companies that have written to EPA describing significant
emissions reduction initiatives. Information presented in these profiles is drawn primarily from the company's
written 33150 Program communications and the annual TRI reports submitted by their facilities (including
Pollution Prevention Act data reported to TRI in Section 8 of Form R). All company communications to EPA
regarding the 33/50 Program are available to the public upon request.
EPA does not endorse the performance, worker safety, or environmental acceptability of any of the
technical options discussed in this Profile. Mention of any product or procedure in this document is for
informational purposes only, and does not constitute a recommendation of any such product or procedure,
either express or implied, by EPA.
For information on the 33/50 Program, contact the TSCA Hotline at (202) 554-1404 or contact 33/50
Program staff directly by phone at (202) 260-6907 or by mail at Mail Code 7408, Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics, U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20460.
33/50 Program Company Profile: Aldan Rubber Company
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Aldan Rubber Company
Aldan Rubber Company reduced its releases of
transfers of 33/50 Program chemicals by 1,011,460
pounds from 1988 to 1992, a reduction of 73%. In
addition, according to data from the company's
33/50 Program progress reports, Aldan further
reduced emissions by 168,010 pounds in 1993. As
a result Aldan has surpassed its program goal of an
80 percent reduction in releases and transfers of
33/50 Program chemicals.
I. CORPORATE BACKGROUND
Aldan Rubber Company is a manufacturer of
rubber-coated fabrics that are used in a wide
variety of applications, including protective cloth-
ing for fire fighting, flexible duct connectors,
convertible tops, and baby products. Aldan is
located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Aldan uses two 33/50 Program chemicals in its
manufacturing operations: methyl ethyl ketone
and toluene. Toluene has traditionally accounted
for approximately 95% of Aldan's total releases
and transfers of 33/50 Program chemicals.
Aldan viewed participation in the 33/50
Program as a logical extension of the
company's ongoing environmental pro-
tection efforts.
Toluene is used as a carrier solvent in the
fabric coating process. Rubber is mixed with
toluene to achieve a mixture that can be spread
evenly onto the fabric being coated. After the
rubber mixture is spread on the fabric, the toluene
evaporates, leaving a uniform coating of rubber on
the fabric. Aldan has also traditionally used
toluene as a solvent in cleaning its manufacturing
equipment. In this application, toluene is manual-
ly wiped onto dirty machine parts to remove excess
rubber, dirt, and other contaminants.
Methyl ethyl ketone is also used as a carrier
solvent in the fabric coating process. It is needed
in the manufacture of a small percentage of
Aldan's products because some types of rubbers do
not dissolve well in toluene.
Aldan reported 1,388,500 pounds of releases
and transfers of 33/50 Program chemicals in 1988,
Releases and Transfers of TRI
Chemicals by Aldan Rubber Company
(1000 pounds)
33/50 Chemicals
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Toluene
33/50 Subtotal
Other TRI Chemicals
Total"
1988
74
1,315
1,389
1,389
1992
18
359
377
0
377
* Columns may not sum to totals due to rounding.
all in the form of air emissions. These 33/50
Program chemicals accounted for 99.9 percent of
releases and transfers of all TRI chemicals. Table
I, at the end of this profile, presents Aldan's 1988-
1992 data on releases and transfers of 33/50 Pro-
gram and other TRI chemicals.
II. CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL
STRATEGY
Aldan company officials viewed participation
in the 33/50 Program as a logical extension of the
company's ongoing environmental protection
efforts. As early as 1976, Aldan saw the need to
reduce emissions of toxic chemicals. As a result,
the company installed a solvent recovery system at
its manufacturing plant. The solvent recovered
was reused in the manufacturing process, and the
system greatly reduced the amount of toluene
emitted from the facility. Aldan believes that
installing the recovery system made sense from an
economic standpoint, noting that resources invest-
ed in the project were paid back through the recy-
cling of greater amounts of solvent.
III. 33/50 PROGRAM GOALS AND
POLLUTION REDUCTION ACTIVITIES
Aldan set an ambitious goal of reducing total
releases and transfers of 33/50 Program chemicals
by 80% from 1988 levels by 1995. This translates
into a reduction of 1,110,800 pounds. This reduc-
tion was to be accomplished on top of the reduc-
.13/50 Program Company Profile: Aldan Rubber Company
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tions that Aldan had already achieved through
their earlier solvent recovery activities. Aldan
hoped to achieve much of this reduction through
the on-site recycling and reuse of solvents.
Aldan pledged to reduce releases and
transfers of 33/50 chemicals by 80% by
1995, from 1988 levels.
Aldan conducted a survey to identify areas in
the manufacturing process where significant emis-
sions were taking place. This allowed the company
to focus reduction efforts on the largest emission
sources. The survey followed the "solvent trail"
through the entire manufacturing process, from
unloading of solvent from tank trucks to post-
manufacture disposal of rubber scrap. After
completing the facility survey and evaluating the
results, Aldan identified five major activities that
would significantly reduce chemical emissions:
• Totally enclose the rubber spreader. In its
1976 project, Aldan installed a hood to cap-
ture solvent emissions over part of its spread-
er. The captured solvent was then routed to a
recovery unit. Aldan recently enclosed the
entire spreader so that all solvent emissions
are captured and recycled, rather than just
those under the partial hood.
• Renovate the solvent recovery system. In
order to improve the efficiency of its solvent
recovery system, Aldan renovated the system
put in place in 1976. As part of the renova-
tion, the recovery unit received a complete
overhaul, including replacement of the carbon
recovery media, cooling coils, and old seals
and valves. Aldan reported the solvent recov-
ery unit's efficiency at 98% - 99% after the
renovation, an increase of approximately 20%
from the previous efficiency level.
• Use an alternative cleaner for machinery
clean-up. Aldan traditionally used toluene in
a hand-wipe application to clean its equipment
on a periodic basis. This cleaning removes
excess rubber, dirt, and other contaminants
from production machinery. To eliminate this
use of toluene, Aldan now uses a d-limonene
cleaner in a similar hand-wipe application,
with reduced but satisfactory performance, and
somewhat higher but still acceptable cost.
Institute an employee awareness program.
Aldan recognized that a significant quantity of
solvent emissions could be eliminated simply
by improving the handling of process materi-
als. An employee awareness program, manda-
tory for all employees who handle solvents,
was implemented to achieve this goal. During
the program, Aldan explained to workers the
environmental problems associated with the
solvent emissions and made suggestions for
reducing emissions. Company officials believe
that the employee awareness program has
been a great success.
Prior to the implementation of any
reduction measures, Aldan conducted a
facility survey to identify the largest
sources of chemical emissions.
• Improve management of rubber scrap. Aldan
developed a proprietary process by which it is
able to reduce solvent emissions from rubber
scrap. This process is one in which the scrap
is processed to remove excess solvent prior to
scrap disposal. Aldan has found that, not only
does the process reduce emissions of solvent
to the air, but it also renders the rubber scrap
nonhazardous. The scrap can then be dis-
posed of in a municipal landfill.
IV. PROGRESS TOWARDS 33/50
REDUCTION GOALS
As a result of the efforts described above, by
1992 Aldan Rubber had reduced releases and
transfers of 33/50 Program chemicals by 73% from
the 1988 baseline, almost reaching its goal of an
80% reduction. Reductions for toluene alone
accounted for more than 1,000,000 pounds.
According to information provided by Aldan in
its progress reports, significant additional reduc-
tions were achieved in 1993. Releases of toluene
decreased by an additional 161,895 pounds and
methyl ethyl ketone decreased by 5,849 pounds.
This translates into reductions of 45% and 33% re-
spectively from 1992 levels. As a result, Aldan has
achieved an 85% reduction in releases and trans-
fers of 33/50 Program chemicals from 1988 levels,
surpassing its 1995 reduction goal of 80%.
33/50 Program Company Profile: Aldan Rubber Company
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V. SUMMARY OF ALDAN'S
EXPERIENCE
Aldan Rubber Company has been extremely
successful in reducing its releases and- transfers of
33/50 Program chemicals. In total, Aldan achieved
a reduction of 73% through 1992 for toluene and
methyl ethyl ketone, the company's two 33/50
Program chemicals. In addition, the company
reports surpassing its 1995 program goal by achiev-
ing a total reduction of 85% by the end of 1993.
Aldan feels that the 33/50 Program has
been a strong impetus for the company
to reduce its VOC emissions.
Aldan has long been concerned with reducing
solvent emissions, as evidenced by the installation
of a solvent recovery system in 1976. However, the
company feels that "the 33/50 Program has been a
strong impetus for Aldan to reduce its VOC
emissions." Aldan views pollution prevention as a
team effort, and has found great benefit in involv-
ing its employees in the process. Through its
innovative employee awareness program, Aldan has
educated its workers about the environmental
problems caused by solvent emissions, and the
employees have responded with more careful
handling of solvents throughout the manufacturing
process.
Aldan Rubber Company's Progress
Towards Meeting 33/50 Goals
1400
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
33/50 Goal: 80% reduction in releases and
transfers of 33/50 chemicals by 1995
33/50 Program Company Profile: Aldan Rubber Company
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Table I
Aldan Rubber Company
Releases and Transfers of TRI Chemicals, 1988-1992
(Data from TRI unless otherwise noted)
Chemical
Methyl ethyl ketone
Toluene
33/50 Program Chemicals
Non 33/50 Program Chemicals
All TRI Chemicals
Percent Change. 1988-1992
33/50 Program Chemicals
Non 33/50 Program Chemicals
All TRI Chemicals
Year
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993 (2)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993 (2)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993 (2)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
Total Releases
and Transfers
(pounds) (1)
74,000
30,300
42,200
15,100
17,834
11,719
1,314,500
867,000
495,400
544,000
359,206
197,311
1,388,500
897,300
537,600
559,100
377,040
209,030
750
750
0
255
0
1,389,250
898,050
537,600
559,355
377,040
-73%
-100%
-73%
Percent
Change
from 1988
Total Releases
and Transfers
-76%
-84%
-73%
-85%
-73%
-85%
-100%
-73%
Notes (!) All releases are air emissions.
(2) 1993 data from company progress report to the 33/50 Program.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5, Library (PL-12J)
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