Millipore advances sustainability strategy with solar energy project

BILLERICA, USA: Millipore Corp. a Life Science leader providing technologies, tools and services for bioscience research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, announced the completion of a $2 million solar panel installation project at its Bedford, Massachusetts, facility.

Millipore Chairman and CEO Martin Madaus was joined by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and other dignitaries at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the system, which will provide renewable energy for Millipore’s Bedford and Billerica, Mass. facilities.

“Millipore’s investment in solar energy reflects our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and developing the industry’s leading sustainability program,” said Madaus. “Our solar panel project would not have been possible without the support of the Governor and the State of Massachusetts. We look forward to a continued partnership with the State and hope other companies will implement sustainability initiatives to reduce their environmental impact, lower their costs, and make themselves more desirable business partners.”

Millipore’s solar panel project is one of the largest solar photovoltaic projects ever completed in Massachusetts and is the first renewable energy project the company has implemented in the US.

“Millipore is not only a leading employer in Massachusetts, but also a leader in creating our clean energy future,” said Governor Patrick. “Millipore is setting an impressive standard for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and showing other companies how to save energy and reduce their emissions through the Governor’s Clean Energy Challenge. Martin Madaus, who serves as co-chair of the state’s Climate Protection and Green Economy Advisory Committee, deserves to be commended for his leadership on climate change.”

Over the past six months, Millipore worked with several vendors to design and install the solar panel system, which includes 1383 Sharp panels and four Solectria inverters. It will produce about 352,000 KWH/yr or, approximately 35 homes worth of electricity, which will be used to augment the electricity purchased from the grid to run Millipore’s facilities.

“The primary focus of our sustainability program has been on reducing our environmental impacts—particularly waste, water and climate change,” said David Newman, Director of Sustainability for Millipore. “The changes we are implementing not only make sense for the environment, but they also have a considerable positive impact on our business. We are excited about completing the solar panel project, which marks an important continuation of our efforts to embrace renewable energy throughout the company.”

Millipore’s sustainability initiative
Launched in 2008, Millipore’s sustainability initiative is sponsored by the company’s CEO, Martin Madaus, PhD. It is focused on reducing the Company’s impact on climate change, reducing waste, and changing employee behaviors. Millipore has set a goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent between 2006 and 2011, and has already cut its emissions by 14 percent just two years into the program.

The company’s energy programs involve a multi-pronged approach, including intensive energy auditing, upgrades to boilers, compressors and lighting. In addition, demand response programs and installations of alternative energy complement our existing efficiency projects. At the Bedford campus alone, the company has cut its electricity consumption by 12 percent in the last year through energy efficiency measures alone. This is equivalent to 200 homes’ worth of energy.