OMNOVA Solutions' Fitchburg, Massachusetts Specialty Chemicals Facility Receives Environmental Merit Award from the EPA

FAIRLAWN, Ohio, May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- OMNOVA Solutions' (NYSE: OMN) Fitchburg, Massachusetts specialty chemicals facility recently received an Environmental Merit Award from the New England Region One Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ongoing since 1970, the EPA merit awards honor individuals and groups who have shown particular ingenuity and commitment in their efforts to preserve the region's environment.

OMNOVA's Fitchburg plant received the award for improvement in all major company sustainability categories, including reducing its consumption of natural gas, electricity and water, as well as decreasing its emissions. Since the establishment of baseline metrics in 2007 through the Company's Vision 2014 sustainability commitment, the plant achieved improvements of 33% or more in each of these categories. Employees at the Fitchburg facility utilized LEAN SixSigma methodologies, to focus on eliminating waste and achieving continuous improvement in all facets of manufacturing to drive these changes.

In addition, the Fitchburg plant has provided over $27,000 annually to local educational, health and wellness, and civic organizations through the OMNOVA Solutions Foundation as part of its commitment to building strong communities.

"As a Responsible Care company, it is our responsibility to enhance the sustainability of our processes, products and communities," said Dan Flint, Director of Operations for OMNOVA's Performance Chemicals Division. "By reducing its environmental footprint and embracing its role as good corporate citizen, the Fitchburg plant has exemplified the values of our Company and is one of the leaders in delivering on our Vision 2014 sustainability commitment. This award signifies the willingness of our employees to take an active role in driving continuous improvement to secure a better future for OMNOVA, our customers and our neighbors."

OMNOVA Solutions is a Responsible Care company, with a strong, long-standing commitment to the American Chemistry Council's environmental, health, safety and security initiative that covers nearly every aspect of chemical development, manufacturing, transportation and disposal.

OMNOVA Solution is a technology-based company with 2011 sales of $1.2 billion and a global workforce of approximately 2,300. OMNOVA is an innovator of emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals, and decorative and functional surfaces for a variety of commercial, industrial and residential end uses.  Visit OMNOVA Solutions on the internet at www.omnova.com.

RESPONSIBLE CARE is a registered trademark of the American Chemistry Council

SOURCE OMNOVA Solutions