NewKor Completes Sweeping New Environmental Improvements

CLEVELAND, Feb. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- NewKor, a leading producer of wound paper tubes and cores, has made a significant investment implementing new environmental practices at its Berea Road manufacturing facility. In the process, the company has substantially reduced air emissions and has become one of the most sustainable producers of phenolic-impregnated paper cores in the market.

The changes began in 2008, when the small family-owned company discovered it was not in full compliance with environmental regulations. After extensive testing and research, NewKor embarked on a substantial overhaul of its phenolic operations that is setting new standards in the industry.

First, the company eliminated VOC solvents from its production process. Next, working closely with its resin supplier, the company has custom formulated new resins specifically designed to reduce emissions from its phenolic process. Finally, NewKor refocused its business model away from phenolic cores to the more sustainable production of plain paper products.

All told, NewKor has reduced its VOC and HAP emissions by approximately 80 percent, well within EPA standards, said the company's president, Gordon Barr.

"NewKor today is arguably one of the most sustainable producers of phenolic cores in the world," he said. "Like many small businesses, we made our mistakes. But these growing pains have helped us become a better, stronger organization, and we will continue to seek new ways of reducing emissions."

The move was announced on the heels of a settled enforcement action expected to be approved by the Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas later this month. NewKor has worked closely with the Ohio EPA and the Ohio Attorney General's office throughout the past several years to ensure that the improvements met, and in fact exceeded all regulatory requirements.

Despite the substantial investment, Barr said that NewKor is committed to providing all of its more than 20 local employees with health benefits, retirement programs and competitive wages.

"I am very proud of my team," Barr added. "Many of our employees have been with NewKor for more than 15 years. NewKor has been a bright light of both job creation as well as being a good neighbor in the area. We look forward to growing in the city of Cleveland. We are committed to Cleveland and in helping to bring American manufacturing back to our shores. NewKor has made the investment to do things right. Cleveland is a great location in which to do business, and our roots are proudly here."

NewKor is located at 10410 Berea Road in Cleveland, Ohio. The company produces plain paper tube cores and impregnated phenolic resin cores that it sells to businesses throughout the United States.

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Joe Mosbrook
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SOURCE NewKor