Shaw Completes Combined Heat & Power Plant in South Carolina

Dalton, GA and Columbia, SC, May 29, 2018-Shaw completed the construction of a cogeneration Combined Heat & Power (CHP) plant at its Columbia, South Carolina fiber production facility.

The CHP, which began operating in May 2018, will reduce the plant’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 26,000 metric tons; that’s an impact equal to removing almost 5,500 passenger vehicles from the road each year.

This is the latest in ongoing investments Shaw is making to minimize its environmental footprint. The company recently announced it has achieved carbon neutrality in its commercial carpet manufacturing operations. Companywide, Shaw has made significant investments to help reduce its energy and greenhouse gas impact. As a result, Shaw’s greenhouse gas emissions have decreased approximately 25% compared to 2010-with a target of reducing both the amount of energy the company uses and the amount of GHG emissions it produces by 40% by 2030 (per pound of finished product).

“ Climate change is a complex, global issue. While no one company or individual can tackle this challenge alone, as a globally oriented company we have a responsibility to positively contribute to the solution,” notes Troy Virgo, director of sustainability and product stewardship at Shaw.

The result: Less fuel is used to provide the same amount of steam and electricity to the plant, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions The plant will realize reduced energy costs as well.

The addition of the CHP to Shaw’s operations is all part of Shaw’s carbon strategy, which systematically focused on: