CLEVELAND and WASHINGTON, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) today announced it has been awarded the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award.

The award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) on behalf of the White House, recognizes Sherwin-Williams innovative new paint formulation, utilizing soybean oil and recycled plastic bottles (PET) in the substantial reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).

Chris Connor, Chairman and CEO of The Sherwin-Williams Company said, "We are pleased that the White House and EPA have recognized our very talented R&D team that's committed to innovation and sustainability. Incorporating simple ingredients like soybean oil and recycled plastic bottles into a first of its kind powerful paint formula, provides a winning transformational combination for our customers and the environment."

Innovation and Benefits

Sherwin-Williams is being recognized in the Designing Greener Chemicals category for Water-Based Acrylic Alkyd Technology. (WBAAT)

Oil-based "alkyd" paints have high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that can become air pollutants as the paint dries. But now the Sherwin-Williams R&D Innovation Excellence team has developed water-based acrylic alkyd paint, made from soybean oil and recycled plastic bottles that cut VOC content by 60% .

In 2010, the new environmentally friendly Sherwin-Williams paint formula, found in ProClassic Waterbased Acrylic Alkyd, ProMar 200 Waterbased Acrylic Alkyd, and ProIndustrial Waterborne Enamel has eliminated 800,000 pounds of VOCs.

In manufacturing the new paint formula, Sherwin-Williams has used 320,000 pounds of soybean oil, 250,000 pounds of PET, and eliminated 1,000 barrels of oil. The continued evolution and expansion of the Sherwin-Williams technology has the potential to eliminate millions of pounds of VOC emissions while supporting the recycling of multi-million pounds of PET each year.

Additional Background/EPA Award Ceremony

Chris Connor, Chairman and CEO of The Sherwin-Williams Company, and our R&D team will be in Washington D.C. to receive the EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award.

When: 6.20.11 5:30 p.m.

Where: The Pavilion Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C.

Why: This year's awards are especially significant because 2011 is the International Year of Chemistry and marks the 20th anniversary of the creation of green chemistry.

EPA PR: EPA Honors Winners of the 2011 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards

For the 16th year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recognizing pioneering chemical technologies developed by leading industrial innovators who are making significant contributions to pollution prevention in the United States.

These prestigious awards recognize the design of safer and more sustainable chemicals, processes, and products that will protect the public, including sensitive populations, particularly children, from exposure to harmful chemicals.

"EPA congratulates this year's winners for designing and developing innovative green chemistry technologies that will result in safer chemicals for use in products, homes, schools, and workplaces," said Steve Owens, EPA's Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards are given in five categories: Academic, Small Business, Greener Synthetic Pathways, Greener Reaction Conditions, and Designing Greener Chemicals.

By recognizing groundbreaking scientific solutions to real-world environmental problems, EPA's Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Program has significantly reduced the hazards associated with designing, manufacturing, and using chemicals.

An independent panel of technical experts convened by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute selected the 2011 winners from scores of nominated technologies.

During the 16 years of the program, EPA has received more than 1,400 nominations and presented awards to 82 winners.

Winning technologies are responsible for reducing the use or generation of more than 199 million pounds of hazardous chemicals, saving 21 billion gallons of water, and eliminating 57 million pounds of carbon dioxide.

These benefits are in addition to significant energy and cost savings by the winners and their customers. Collectively, all of the nominated technologies have produced far greater benefits.

About Sherwin-Williams

Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers.

With 32,000 associates and $7.7 billion in sales, S-W is the USA's #1 paint and coatings company; #3 in the world.

The company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams®, Dutch Boy®, Krylon®, Minwax®, Thompson's® Water Seal®, and many more.

With global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams® branded products are sold exclusively through a chain of 3,390 company-operated stores and facilities, while the company's other brands are sold through leading mass merchandisers, home centers, independent paint dealers, hardware stores, automotive retailers, and industrial distributors.

The Sherwin-Williams Global Group distributes a wide range of products in 109 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.sherwin.com

Contact:
Mike Conway
Director Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Sherwin-Williams
Direct: 216-515-4393
Cell: 216-978-1074
Pager: 216-422-3751
[email protected]

SOURCE The Sherwin-Williams Company