From staff reports

 

Solvay Specialty Polymers Plant in Orange has partnered with Keep Orange County Beautiful (KOCB) to plant canopy trees as part of their Business/Community Environmental Initiative.  Solvay recently launched a new step with a new target – Solvay committed to reducing its absolute GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions of its operations by 2025, compared with the 2017 level, at constant scope. 

“Effectively fighting global warming requires decreasing GHG emissions in absolute value,” according to Kyle O’Halloran Solvay’s Orange site manager.

When a community’s economy is healthy and business grows; trees are often removed for additional expansion space.  This tree planting located at the entrance to the City of Orange boat ramp on Simmons Drive is a gift to Orange County who lost 30-40% of its tree canopy during Hurricane Rita.  Orange County is located in the middle of the third largest busier than ever interstate highway system in the U.S. with thousands of vehicles emitting carbon dioxide every day. Simmons Drive is a major Orange entrance that aligns with Mayor Larry Spears’s desire to recreate Simmons Drive as family-friendly; and to welcome both visitors and Orange citizens alike to fishing tournaments, boat races and other events at the soon-to-be-built boat ramp pavilion.

“Every Solvay site is involved with Citizen Day,” O’Halloran said. “It is part of being more sustainable and doing good in the community.”

Trees planted are Montezuma Cypress.  They are fast-growing up to 70 feet tall with a thick trunk up to 6 feet in diameter similar to other cypresses in the area but this species does not produce “knees.” Abundant towering pine, oak, and cypress have played an important role throughout Orange’s history.  

Canopy Trees are workhorses that remove air pollution by breathing in atmospheric carbon dioxide and breath out oxygen as well as filtering dust and other pollutants.   An acre of trees can absorb 6 tons of carbon dioxide and produce 4 tons of life-giving oxygen. 

Solvay is an advanced material and specialty chemicals company, committed to developing chemistry that addresses key societal challenges. Solvay innovates and partners with customers worldwide in many diverse end markets. Its products are used in planes, cars, batteries, smart and medical devices, as well as in mineral and oil and gas extraction, enhancing efficiency and sustainability.   Solvay now generates 50% of revenues with solutions addressing the challenges of sustainable development Learn more at www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com.  

Solvay recently released its GROW strategy to drive growth, cash, and returns.

“Our G.R.O.W. strategy is the result of a comprehensive strategic review of our entire portfolio. We will unleash Solvay’s full potential through the disciplined and differentiated allocation of resources across the Group, based on distinct business mandates and enabled by our new operating model, Solvay ONE,” Solvay CEO Ilham Kadri said. “We will focus on growth, cash, and returns, and will prioritize investment in the highest return opportunities. We will also create a more effective way to serve and innovate with our customers, as we increasingly deliver sustainable solutions that meet the needs of a more ESG-focused world. Therefore, we are well-positioned to drive superior value creation for shareholders, customers, and all other stakeholders.”

The value of trees adds to the desirability of urban areas.  Trees mean good business. Citizens and visitors prefer to shop and play at shaded and well-landscaped locations.   It is a generous and noble act to protect, preserve, propagate and plant big trees. Keep Orange County Beautiful’s ongoing mission of “More Trees, Less Trash” is proud to recognize and help further the efforts of Solvay Specialty Polymers Orange, Texas plant for the conservation and beautification efforts of their business and our community.  

For more information on Keep Orange County Beautiful visit our website at www.KOCB.org.  Or visit Facebook at Keep Orange County Beautiful.