Environment Support

DUPONT - A BREAKTHROUGH IN ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE

DuPont is one of the world's leading chemical companies. Eleuthère Irénée du Pont, widely known as E.I. du Pont, instituted the American-based company in 1802. In 1802, E.I. du Pont built his first gunpowder mill. E.I. du Pont's fervent interest in the study of production techniques and his unquenchable thirst for scientific advancement and research paved the way to his monumental success. From a tiny mill company, DuPont has now extended its operations in more than 70 countries, leaving its mark in a diversity of fields including cultivation, communications, home production, electronics, garments, safety and protection, plastics, graphics, packaging, nutrition, and transportation. Throughout its development as a company, DuPont has been a leader in environmental practices.

Some of DuPont's Developmental Milestones

1918 - DuPont & General Motors
DuPont allied with General Motors when Pierre S. du Pont bought the GM stock in 1914. After the World War I in 1917, John Raskob, a GM executive, was responsible for convincing DuPont to invest $25 million in GM. During the 1920s, the two companies developed the latest refrigerants and gasoline additives. DuPont was the first to bring safer and more effective refrigerants. At present, DuPont continues to lead the industry in alternative HFC refrigerants.

1928 - Neoprene
Dr. Wallace Hume Carothers spearheaded the discovery of neoprene synthetic rubber. Before long, they created the first polyester superpolymer, which is nylon's precursor. Neoprene is essential in the manufacturing of hoses, transmission belts, sealants and bonding agents.

1930 - Freon®
The manufacturing of chloroflourocarbon Freon® began in 1930. The product is vastly used in the production of air conditioners and refrigerators. It also is used in aerosol sprays as a propellant. Due to environmental concerns, DuPont manufactured its last CFCs in urbanized countries in 1995.

1935 - Haskell Laboratory
DuPont established the Haskell Laboratory where each new product of DuPont is tested and assessed for its safety.

1938 - Butacite®
Butacite® was launched in the market. This novelty is a petrochemical-based, polyvinyl butyral (PVB) plastic used in the production of safety glasses. This product primarily features the tensile strength and durability of glass even in intense cold. This product is widely used for automotive uses as well as in making windows.

1967 - Nomex®
The production of a heat resistant fiber came into being through the brand Nomex® which is widely used in firefighter gear. The product also comes in the form paper, fabric, fiber, and felt.

1970 - Medical Technology
DuPont manufactured the Automatic Clinical Analyzer (ACA), performing a serried of bood and fluid tests. Soon after, the company's transgenic Oncomouse® was accredited for cancer research utilization. In 1991, DuPont and Merck Pharmaceuticals ventured into the development and marketing of new and innovative drugs.

1986 - Stainmaster®
DuPont's innovation extended its arm to the carpet industry, providing buyers with high quality carpets which are highly stain-resistant.

1998 - Automotive Coating
DuPont is the leader in automotive coatings in the USA. It also provides products that are free from dangerous air pollutants.

2000 - Electronics
DuPont manufactured DuPont Displays that are widely used in several electronic devices. Their products are designed with the highest technology.

2001 - SolaeTM
DuPont maximized its access in providing quality nutrition to consumers through the manufacture of a soy protein named Solae™ which forms part of the ingredients in different food and beverages. This ingredient is found to play a crucial role in providing health benefits.

DuPont Board of Directors and Executives

DuPont's Environmental Efforts

In the 1980s, DuPont experienced an era of awakening to environmental problems. It was a time when environmental activists clamored for products that are safe to the environment, emphasizing to major capitalists that safety is a chief factor in choosing the goods that they purchase. In response to these concerns, the government took heed through the effective implementation of environmental laws. Thus, DuPont increased its capital in order to comply with the safety requirements.

Since then, DuPont has concentrated its environmental efforts on the prevention of pollution through developing standardized treatment and remediation. Moreover, DuPont takes advantage of information sharing, making it a major player in the resolution of environmental problems.

With the use of environmental information tools that DuPont has developed, there was a great bartering of information, including the incorporation of the company's environmental priorities. DuPont has also created databases that are systematically designed with calculation methods, positive and negative analyses of different approaches, and proposed alternatives for environmental decision making. Such features pay attention to the achievement of the company's control of its pollution as well as addressing the needs in remediation.

In their urgency to prevent pollution, DuPont incorporated the Product and Cycle-time excellence (PACE) system which involves a series of assessments before approving a certain product, including a criterion concerning environmental points. DuPont is also looking for new environmental approaches by intensifying its R&D efforts.

Together with organizations like Environmental Defense, Dupont has collaborated on several global warming related projects. In the last 20 years, the company has continuously made efforts to diminish greenhouse gas emissions by bringing new "earth-friendly products" to the market and by supporting government policies in the process.

Using 1990 as a base year, DuPont aims to reduce their global carbon-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by 65% using the gases focused upon in the Kyoto Protocol. DuPont also pledges to acquire 10% of their power from renewable energy sources.

DuPont is committed to achieve not only economic progress and social advancement but environmental excellence. With its comprehensive environmental efforts, DuPont has provided its consumers better choices, not only improving the quality of life, but protecting the environment along the way.

DuPont Environment Resources