Kimberly-Clark Supports the Greater Good

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (K-C) has been an integral part of New Milford, Conn. for 50 years, where it employs more than 350 people and manufactures Kleenex and Scott tissue. But between 2003 and 2007, the New Milford Mill's electricity costs nearly doubled due to rapid increases in local electric utility rates. If allowed to continue, skyrocketing costs would hamper the mill's ability to produce competitively priced products.

To stabilize energy costs, K-C embarked on a $50 million Energy Independence Project. The goal: to use clean burning natural gas to provide the mill's electric and thermal power needs while generating power for southwestern Connecticut, one of the most expensive electric markets in the nation.

"We believe we must grow our business responsibly to preserve resources for future generations. That philosophy applies to the products we make, the way we do business and how we support our communities," says Dan Lachmann, general manager, K-C New Milford Mill.  


All Systems Go

The Energy Independence Project came alive on April 29, 2008 -- just 14 months after it was conceptualized -- when K-C flipped the switch on a recently constructed Combined Heat and Power (CHP) facility.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), CHP systems are up to 50 percent more energy efficient than large conventional, fossil-fueled power plants.

"Over the past decade, K-C has been focusing on improving the efficiency of its manufacturing operations and reducing its environmental impact," says Lachmann. "This has led us to explore a number of alternative energy solutions, including CHP units."

Essentially, the CHP unit makes the mill independent of the local electric utility by generating up to 35 megawatts of electricity from two turbines that run on clean burning, natural gas. The CHP unit also generates all of the heat required in the manufacturing process to dry tissue product, and eliminates two diesel fuel boilers  previously used to produce steam. In addition, the enclosed facility was designed to diminish sound from the new operation.


Project Expectations

K-C expects the CHP facility to help control energy costs for Connecticut residents and businesses while helping to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions in the region. It will reduce K-C's demand on the local electric system by 15 megawatts, freeing up that capacity for other businesses and residents. In addition, the CHP facility will eventually generate up to 20 megawatts of new electric capacity in the region, enough to power 35,000 homes, while allowing K-C to better control its operating costs.

 "Kimberly-Clark's Energy Independence Project sends a strong message to New Milford that we are here to stay and that we want to be a strong part of this community for many years to come," concludes Lachmann.