Praxair recognized for environmental achievement

Praxair Inc. has received two awards from the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) for its outstanding environmental performance in 2009.

In the pollution prevention category, Praxair received an Environmental Recognition Award for its “Go Green” program. In addition to encouraging and supporting environmentally sound initiatives across the organization, Praxair’s Go Green team tracks the environmental savings that can be realized through certain productivity projects alongside the general cost savings associated with the projects. Various Go Green program-supported plant projects have helped cut 32,000,000 pounds of direct carbon dioxide emissions and 6,417,000 pounds of indirect carbon dioxide emissions per year, in addition to other environmental benefits.

Praxair also received an award in the environmental leadership category for the successful measures it implemented in support of Mexico’s Environmental Leadership Program. Under the program, major companies operating in Mexico were invited to find ways to create greater competitive value and deliver better environmental performance by more effectively using raw materials and energy and further limiting consumption of natural resources.

Working in partnership with SEMARNAT, Mexico’s federal environmental regulatory agency, Praxair Mexico found ways to cut 311,500-kilowatt hours of energy use, 6.56 million gallons of water consumption, 1,400 pounds of paper, 700 pounds of wood, 1,300 pounds of non-hazardous waste, 17,000 pounds of hazardous waste and 66,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2009 sales of $9 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others.