1 December 2016

American Biltrite has launched a major energy retrofit project at its downtown Sherbrooke plant. With an investment of nearly $1.1M, the project will cut the plant’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 33%.

To achieve this, the company will optimize its steam production system, which powers its manufacturing operations and provides heating for the eight buildings that are part of its plant. This will enable American Biltrite to reduce its annual natural gas use by 540 394 m³ and its light fuel oil use by 12 793 L.

This will allow the company to cut its current annual carbon footprint of 3 300 tonnes of CO₂e by 1 056 tonnes – the equivalent of taking 310 light-duty vehicles off the road.

American Biltrite is investing $400 000 into the project. It is also receiving financial support in the amount of $527 981 from the government’s ÉcoPerformance project, funded through the Fonds vert, in addition to $160 494 from Gaz Métro.

Established in Sherbrooke for more than 100 years, American Biltrite is specialized in manufacturing floor coverings for institutions in the education and health sectors, among others.

The announcement was made by Pierre Arcand, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Plan Nord, as well as Luc Fortin, Member of the National Assembly for Sherbrooke and Minister responsible for the Estrie region.

Sources: La Tribune and Gouvernement du Québec
Photo credits: Luc Fortin