Cabot reinforces sustainability commitment as part of DOE program

BOSTON—For Cabot Corp., sustainability isn't just about making big, forward strides. It's about learning how to take more of them and teaching others to do the same.

To demonstrate its commitment to each of these aspects, Cabot has joined the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Plants program. The voluntary initiative aims to improve energy efficiency across the industrial sector by allowing companies to collaborate through sharing ideas and best practices.

"As a leader in our industry, we are working hard to do our part in supporting the transition toward a lower carbon future," Martin O'Neill, Cabot senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, said in a statement. "While we have made significant progress in our sustainability agenda, the journey to net zero requires action, innovation and collaboration with organizations such as DOE."

Each of Cabot's U.S. manufacturing plants are part of the program. According to its website, Cabot operates seven U.S. manufacturing facilities in Ville Platte and Franklin, La.; Tuscola, Ill.; Pampa, Texas, Midland, Mich.; Haverhill, Mass.; and Carrollton, Ky.

And by joining the initiative Cabot also underscores its commitment to sustainability by aligning with the program's aims—namely reducing energy intensity by 25 percent throughout a 10-year period.

"We believe," O'Neill said, "that joining the DOE's Better Plants program will help us continue to identify and implement new strategies and best practices that will allow us to continue to make progress on improving our energy efficiency."

Aside from helping companies establish more efficient operations through small environmental footprints, the collaborations increases the resiliency and economic competitiveness of U.S. industries.

Cabot's commitment to sustainability has been clearly articulated through goals around building more sustainable products, protecting the planet through operational efficiency and caring for people and communities. As such, energy recovery and energy efficiency are two focus areas.

Already Cabot has surpassed its 2025 aim of exporting 200 percent of the energy imports, and it did so by in energy recovery systems at several of its sites. Not only did this help with reducing the company's environmental footprint, it helped to reduce emissions in communities where it operates.