Minimizing energy consumption across our operations has
long been a key business and environmental strategy at
Mohawk Industries. As a vertically integrated manufacturer,
our energy demand is high; yet our vertical integration also
means that we have more opportunities to control and reduce
our energy footprint. To this end, our strategy is defined by
reducing the energy intensity of our manufacturing processes
via proven technologies, innovating solutions that transform
how we use energy in those operations, and engaging employees
to create a culture of energy conservation. These activities are
intended to reduce our energy intensity over the next decade
to improve financial performance, as well as our environmental
footprint in the communities we operate. As we work toward these improvements, we also will be investing in an energy sustainability management solution that will enhance our ability to capture consumption data and the integrity of our reporting processes.
Renewable forms of energy have been one of our most
promising energy management solutions to date. At our Unilin plants in Europe, biofuels meet
the large amounts of thermal energy required for the drying
and press phases of particle and MDF board manufacturing.
Unilin generates nearly all of this energy through boilers that burn bio-mass materials found on site, such as bark, sander
dust, saw trimmings, reject board and reject fiber. The success
of these processes in Europe is prompting other Unilin
facilities to study the feasibility of bio-fuels as well as other
renewable energy options.
Mohawk also works with federal agencies and local
utilities to develop strategies and tactics for energy usage.
Our Phelps Road manufacturing site, for example, modifies its operating
hours to align its energy use with off-peak hours to
help utility companies operate more efficiently.
