First to Measure Up: Bekaert Defines Carbon Footprint

Bekaert Specialty Films (BSF) recently announced it is the first specialized film manufacturer to define its carbon footprint.

Christophe Fremont, president of Bekaert Specialty Films in San Diego, Calif.

"The certification of our carbon footprint is an important step in our overall strategy to improve our environmental practices," Christophe Fremont, BSF president says. "As leaders, we are pushing the window film industry forward by holding ourselves to a higher standard and implementing these practices before they are required."

In order to define its footprint, the San Diego-based manufacturer was required to calculate its consumption of electricity and natural gas, as well as emissions, at each of its service centers and manufacturing sites.

Officials say current innovations that have already proven to save the company money and reduce
waste include: support for industry organizations and trade associations that promote environmental stewardship; waste and scrap reduction and recycling programs; an emission control system that operates at 99.7 percent efficiency, conforming to strict California clean air requirements; and
employee benefits related to environmentally-friendly choices, to name a few.

Bekaert's carbon footprint measurement will be verified by an independent auditor from Bureau Veritas and, following the audit, company officials say it will apply for publication on the California Climate Action Registry (CCAR), where it will join 393 California-based companies that have pledged high
environmental standards.

For more information on Bekaert Specialty Films and Fremont's views, see the article on page 28 of WINDOW FILM's July-August issue. If you're not yet a subscriber, visit our website, www.windowfilmmag.com, to sign up.