Delphi Promotes Green Worldwide
20 April 2000
Delphi Promotes Green Worldwide
Advocates Global Products, Processes and Community Efforts
that Contribute to Environmental Responsibility
TROY, Mich., April 20 Delphi Automotive Systems
(NYSE: DPH) is making innovative strides to protect the environment through
creative business practices, new processes, and employee involvement
initiatives.
"Delphi is fully committed to being an environmentally responsible company
in every corner of the world where we do business," said John Jaffurs,
director, Delphi environmental services. "Earth Day is an opportunity for us
to reflect on our accomplishments in this area, and to look for new ways to
make a difference every day.
"Delphi's dedication to protecting our communities and the environment is
evidenced by our 'up-front' environmental and Design for the Environment (DFE)
initiatives," Jaffurs said. Focusing resources "up-front" in the product
design phase provides opportunities to evaluate materials, processes and
product design selections for environmental impacts prior to program release
and provides guidance on how to best manage potential risks associated with
the manufacture of new products. Examples of issues that are considered in
the DFE process include the use of substances of concern, process effluents,
recycled content and product recyclability.
Through the DFE process, Delphi's environmental and engineering teams are
challenged to optimize resource utilization and minimize environmental impacts
through every phase of the product life cycle.
Recent examples of Delphi's environmental accomplishments and activities
include:
Emission Control Products Move Across Markets
This week, Delphi announced that it will be the first company to
domestically supply complete catalytic converter systems in China. Delphi
will supply the converters to Shanghai General Motors. The catalytic
converters will be made in Shanghai by Delphi's new joint venture with
Shanghai GuoZhong Industrial Co., Ltd.
Catalytic converters capture pollutants such as carbon monoxide,
hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen from engine exhaust streams and convert
them into carbon dioxide.
Delphi Named Recycler of the Year by Plastics Organization
The world's leading plastics organization named Delphi "Recycler of the
Year" in 1999, marking the first time an automotive-related company has ever
won the award. Presented by the Society of Plastics Engineers, the awards are
given annually to showcase companies who have demonstrated leadership in
advancing plastics recycling in their industry. The award was presented for
Delphi's development of a 100 percent recyclable thermoplastic polyolefin
(TPO) skin instrument panel.
New Processes Lend to Cost and Resource Savings
In Europe, Delphi announced today that it has developed several automotive
wiring recycling processes that address increased concern from the European
market regarding the disposal of end-of-life vehicles. A team of engineers
from Delphi's Technical Center in Wuppertal, Germany, developed processes for
recycling polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulation, connector housings and flexible
printed circuits in automotive wiring. The processes, patented by Delphi,
prevent cross-contamination during the recycling process, promote reuse of
PVCs and polymers, and allow full reclamation of the metals used in the
harnesses.
Delphi sees potential economic and environmental benefits in broadening
its recycling processes. The harnesses of the 9 million vehicles scrapped
annually in the European Union contain approximately 90 metric tons of copper,
35 metric tons of PVC and 20 metric tons of polymers, representing a potential
value of more than $200 million annually. Delphi currently organizes the
collection of harness scrap from its European plants, which results in
approximately 400 metric tons of recycled PVC annually.
Mexican Government Gives Delphi Prestigious Environmental Awards
In March, the Mexican Government renewed the "Industria Limpia" (Clean
Industry) Award to 28 Delphi facilities, recognizing the company's efforts in
that country to implement the best environmental practices. Since 1994,
Delphi has participated in the voluntary certifications as a signal of its
corporate commitment to protect human health, natural resources and the global
environment.
Employee Involvement in the Community
In Anderson, Ind., Delphi and UAW Local 662 recently contributed $5,000 to
help restock the White River with fish. Delphi and UAW employees have also
volunteered to assist the local Department of Natural Resources with the
restocking effort this spring.
In addition, Delphi employees in Dayton, Ohio will assist in the clean-up
of 37 miles of the Miami River. Delphi, a founding contributor of the Great
Miami River Cleanup program, will mark its 10th consecutive year as a
participant.
In Kokomo, Ind., more than 2,000 fifth- and sixth-grade students went on a
scientific odyssey through the JASON project using advanced telecommunications
equipment provided by Delphi and EDS. Founded by world-famous explorer and
oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard, the JASON Project is a year-round scientific
expedition designed to excite and engage students in science and technology.
The Delphi/EDS supported program allowed students to "explore" Iceland and the
rain forests of Belize via live satellite.
ISO 14001 Registration
Since January, Delphi has registered nine facilities to the International
Standards Organization (ISO) 14001 environmental specification, and has
several facilities that have been recommended for registration. ISO 14001 is
an international environmental management system that integrates business
practices with environmental goals to control impact on the environment while
promoting productivity and reduction of waste.
Delphi now has 38 sites registered or recommended for ISO certification;
the company's goal is to have all facilities registered by the end of 2001.
Delphi's newly registered facilities include operations in Douai, France;
Bangalore, India; Milwaukee; Brookhaven, Miss.; Cottondale and Gadsden,
Alabama; Kokomo, Ind.; and two facilities in Warren, Ohio.
Delphi Teams Recognized for Environmental and Energy Accomplishments
Delphi recently honored 31 teams from its facilities around the world for
their environmental and energy preservation efforts in 1999. The internal
program recognizes employees for their leadership in material use reduction,
waste prevention, cost savings, innovation, transferability, improving energy
efficiency, and reducing energy usage and environmental impacts.
Teams were recognized for collectively reducing more than 320,000 pounds
of raw material use, more than 824,500 gallons of water, 57 million pounds of
waste, nearly 11,000 pounds of VOC (volatile organic carbon) emissions, and
more than 400 million pounds of emissions.
Delphi Automotive Systems, headquartered in Troy, Mich., USA, is a world
leader in transportation and mobile electronics components and systems
technology. Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety,
Thermal & Electrical Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication --
provide comprehensive product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has
approximately 214,200 employees, and operates 178 wholly owned manufacturing
sites, 41 joint ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 27
technical centers in 39 countries. Regional headquarters are located in
Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Delphi can be found on the Internet at
http://www.delphiauto.com .