March 05, 2013 | Valley Forge, PA USA

EPA Recognizes Saint-Gobain with 2013 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award for Continued Leadership in Energy Conservation for Third Consecutive Year

ENERGY STAR recognition and focus on energy conservation are a competitive business advantage for Saint-Gobain and its family of companies.

Saint-Gobain, the world's largest manufacturer of building products and a leading producer of innovative materials, has been awarded the ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the third consecutive year. The award recognizes Saint-Gobain's outstanding leadership in energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Through its U.S. subsidiaries, the Company continues to be the only manufacturer of glass containers or fiberglass insulation ever to receive the award. 

"At Saint-Gobain, we feel a responsibility to lead by example as North American businesses come together to face the urgent need to improve energy efficiency," said John Crowe, President and CEO of Saint-Gobain and its largest North American subsidiary, CertainTeed Corporation. "Our 350-year history is rooted in the innovation and manufacturing of construction materials that enable people across the globe to live efficiently and comfortably in a healthy environment – and that includes protecting our natural resources here in North America in the 265 communities in which we operate and in which our 19,000 employees live." 

The 2013 Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, and employing innovative energy efficiency approaches. 

This is the fifth consecutive year that Saint-Gobain and its North American subsidiaries have been recognized by the EPA with an ENERGY STAR Award. Saint-Gobain was first awarded the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award in 2009 and 2010, and then attained the prestigious level of Sustained Excellence in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Saint-Gobain's accomplishments will be recognized at an EPA awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 26, where it will be the sole Sustained Excellence Award winner from Pennsylvania.

"EPA is recognizing Saint-Gobain for earning EPA's highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2013 Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award," said Bob Perciasepe, Acting Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Saint-Gobain leads the field with their commitment to energy efficiency and demonstrates how all Americans can save energy, save money, and create a healthier environment."

The EPA is recognizing Saint-Gobain for its leadership in implementing a wide range of process improvements and energy management practices over several years. Since 2008, the company has improved energy intensity by 14.9 percent. In 2012, Saint-Gobain businesses in North America were able to reduce their energy intensity (the amount of energy used to produce a unit of product) by 3.0 percent – equivalent to the amount of energy needed to make shingles for new roofs on more than 1 million typical U.S. homes or enough fiberglass insulation for more than 147,000 typical U.S. homes. In addition, the energy savings achieved by the Company equate to avoiding more than 90,503 tons of carbon dioxide emissions last year.

"We are honored ENERGY STAR has again recognized Saint-Gobain's contributions because it represents the collective impact made by our family of companies and all employees," continued Crowe. "More importantly, this honor reminds us of our responsibility to lead by example – today and for the next 350 years."

Editor's Note: For two infographics detailing Saint-Gobain's energy savings, please visit http://bit.ly/Z365vs and http://bit.ly/105nIgN (Please credit Saint-Gobain).

About Saint-Gobain in North America 

Saint-Gobain, the world's largest building materials company, has its North American headquarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. As the world leader in sustainable habitat, Saint-Gobain is committed to inventing solutions to help professionals and communities around the world build and renovate comfortable, healthy, economical and energy-efficient buildings. The company has more than 265 locations in North America and approximately 19,000 employees. In the United States and Canada, Saint-Gobain reported sales of approximately $7.9 billion in 2012.

Saint-Gobain's family of companies in North America includes CertainTeed Corporation, which offers the most comprehensive portfolio of interior and exterior building products in North America, as well as Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Saint-Gobain ADFORS, Vetrotech Saint-Gobain North America, Saint-Gobain Glass, Saint-Gobain Solar, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Verallia North America, and more.

Recognized as a 2009 and 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Saint-Gobain earned the 2011, 2012 and 2013 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award, the highest level of recognition for outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency. For more information about Saint-Gobain in North America, connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter

About Saint-Gobain

Saint-Gobain, the world leader in habitat markets, provides innovative solutions to meet today's challenges of growth, energy efficiency, and environmental protection. With 2011 sales of $55.5 billion, Saint-Gobain operates in 64 countries and has nearly 190,000 employees. For more information about Saint-Gobain, please visit www.saint-gobain.com.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money, and help protect the environment for future generations. Nearly 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, and buildings. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

Press Contacts:

William Seiberlich
Saint-Gobain Corporation
610-341-7187 (office)
william.seiberlich@saint-gobain.com

Laura Van De Pette, APR
Brownstein Group for Saint-Gobain
267-238-4118
lvandepette@brownsteingroup.com