December 30, 2002—Homasote Company, a manufacturer of building and packaging products made from post-consumer recycled paper, has contracted with Alliant Energy Integrated Services to plan and build a cogeneration system at its plant in West Trenton, New Jersey. The $4.24 million project is set to begin in January 2003 and is expected to save the company as much as $2 million annually in energy costs.
Cogeneration is a highly efficient technology that combines two processes—producing steam, or usable heat—and generating electricity. Homasote requires both to break down recycled paper products into a fluid pulp that is later formed into structural fiberboards. The boards are used in the residential and commercial construction industry, and under the Pak-Line brand in the industrial packaging industry.
Homasote’s cogeneration system is expected to be operational in October of 2003. When completed, it will generate up to 3,900 kilowatts of power and enough recovered thermal energy to heat the equivalent of nearly 300 residential homes.
“By improving the energy efficiency of our plant, we will reduce the cost of producing our products and improve our environmental performance at the same time,” says Peter McElvogue, president of Homasote.
The Homasote Company employs more than 200 people. Its customer base includes architects, contractors, builders, engineers and specifiers, as well as facility managers, hobbyists and manufacturers. All Homasote products are made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper.
For more information, contact Alliant Energy Integrated.
