EPA Recognizes Saint-Gobain With 2011 Energy Star® Sustained Excellence Award

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Saint-Gobain, the world's largest manufacturer of building products and a leading producer of glass containers and innovative materials, has been awarded the ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The award recognizes the Company's outstanding leadership in energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.  Through its U.S. subsidiaries, the Company becomes the first and only manufacturer of glass containers or fiber glass insulation ever to receive the award.

"This prestigious award recognizes Saint-Gobain's commitment to building a more energy-efficient future and reducing the environmental impact of our business at every stage, from product design, through manufacturing, to point-of-sale and end-of-life disposal," said Gilles Colas, President and CEO of Saint-Gobain Corporation. "We are proud to help lead the drive to save energy not only through responsible manufacturing practices, but also through the development of sustainable, energy-efficient building products and solutions for communities around the world."

This is the third consecutive year that Saint-Gobain and its North American subsidiaries have been recognized by the EPA with an ENERGY STAR Award.  Saint-Gobain was awarded the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award in 2009 and 2010, but this is the first time the Company has attained the prestigious level of Sustained Excellence.  Saint-Gobain's accomplishments will be recognized at an EPA awards ceremony in Washington, DC, on April 12.

"Saint-Gobain has earned EPA's highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2011 Sustained Excellence Award," said Elizabeth Craig, Acting Director of EPA's Office of Atmospheric Programs.  "Saint-Gobain's long term leadership and commitment to energy efficiency demonstrates the types of accomplishments that we can all achieve in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our global environment. We look forward to their continued partnership and leadership."

The EPA is recognizing Saint-Gobain for its leadership in implementing a wide range of process improvements and energy management practices over several years.  In 2010 Saint-Gobain businesses in North America were able to reduce their energy intensity (the amount of energy used to produce a unit of product) by 3.8 percent -- equivalent to the amount of energy needed to make shingles for new roofs on 1.2 million typical U.S. homes or enough fiber glass insulation for more than 182,000 typical U.S. homes. In addition, the Company reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by more than 131,000 tons last year.

Saint-Gobain also received praise for its employee energy-awareness programs.  Through these efforts, Saint-Gobain employees personally contributed to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 11,000 tons, the equivalent of the annual greenhouse gas emissions from over two thousand passenger vehicles.

"Beyond efforts to improve energy efficiency in each of our facilities, we believe every employee can contribute to reducing energy use whether by implementing a major energy-saving project in a plant or simply turning lights out when leaving the office," said Colas. "The Company, and all employees, will continue to work towards further reducing our carbon footprint for years to come."

About Saint-Gobain in North America

Saint-Gobain, the world's largest building products manufacturer, has its North American headquarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  As the world leader in sustainable habitat, Saint-Gobain is committed to inventing solutions to help professionals and communities around the world build and renovate comfortable, healthy, economical and energy efficient buildings. The company has over 265 locations in North America, and approximately 19,000 employees. Saint-Gobain businesses in North America include CertainTeed, a leading North American manufacturer and supplier of exterior and interior building products, Verallia, one of the leading glass container manufacturers in the United States, and Norton, the largest global manufacturer and supplier of performance engineered abrasives.  In the United States and Canada, Saint-Gobain reported sales of approximately $7.3 billion in 2010. For information about Saint-Gobain in North America, visit www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com

About Saint-Gobain

Saint-Gobain, the world leader in habitat markets, provides innovative solutions to meet today's challenges of growth, energy efficiency, and environmental protection. With 2010 sales of $53.2 billion, Saint-Gobain operates in 64 countries and nearly 190,000 employees. For more information about Saint-Gobain, please visit www.saint-gobain.com.

About ENERGY STAR®

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants associated with energy use. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 kinds of products as well as new homes and buildings. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $18 billion on their utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas equivalent to those of 34 million cars. Products, homes and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR prevent emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA.  For more information, go to energystar.gov.

SOURCE Saint-Gobain