Info

Established in 1946, Federal Foam Technologies Inc, (FFT) is an industry leader in the custom design and fabrication of acoustic, floor and other foam products used in everything from recreational vehicles to military packaging and medical and health care industries. Employing over 200 people company-wide - the New Richmond-based company operates a Quality Management System compliant to the ISO 9001 and an Environmental Management System certified to ISO 14001. It was one of the first companies in the state to successfully transition its certification from the ISO 14001 1994 standard to the ISO 14001 2004 standard. Federal Foam Technologies id dedicated to protecting the environment. FFT has been accepted for Level 1 Green Tier certification by the DNR. In 2005 alone, the company saved thousands upon thousands of pounds of material from crowding landfills through its Industrial Waste recycling program. Last year, the company diverted from landfills: 30,186 pounds of plastic film; 786 pounds of Vyram material; 389,760 pounds of polyurethane foam and foam composites; 28,080 pounds of ABS plastic; 24,960 pounds of cardboard; and, 8,800 pounds/4440 square yards of wooden/steel ruled fabricating dies. This amounts to over 482,000 pounds of waste material that was recycled rather than land filled in 2005. It achieved success by implementing innovative methods for addressing two significant environmental areas, external air quality and previously non-recyclable closed cell polyurethane foam and polyurethane foam composites. FFT purchased photo electric eyes, new technology spray guns and other equipment upgrades to prevent adhesive over spray and to closely control deposition rates on its automated adhesive spray lamination line. The company set a goal of reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) usage by 4,000 pounds in 2004. However, the company surpassed that goal reducing VOC emissions by over 24,600 pounds or a 28% reduction. The company has aggressively pursued opportunities to recycle closed cell polyurethane foams and foam composites. In early 2004, its supplier, Foamex International Inc., developed methodology to recycle the material. FFT purchased a specially designed baler in 2004 to safely compress closed cell foam into bales to ship to the recycler. From May 2004 to December 2005, FFT recycled over 565,000 pounds of closed cell foam and foam composites that would have been sent to the landfills. Through this specific effort, Federal Foam Technologies has realized a return of $66,487 on the recycling of the closed cell polyurethane foam and foam composites. Add that to the $21,730 the company saved from not having to transport the waste to the landfill and it comes to $88,218 of pure profit and a lot less landfill space needlessly filled. Company officials estimate it would take sales revenue of $352,872 at a margin of 25% to match the pure profits gained from recycling. FFT is eager to share its environmental innovations and successes through the DNR's Innovation Stakeholders advisory group. It was also a showcase site for the Wisconsin Green and Growing Bus Tour recognizing environmental achievement and promoting the Green Tier program. For more information about pollution prevention at Federal Foam Technologies Inc., contact:Malcolm McLeodQ.A. Manager/Environmental Management RepresentativeFederal Foam Technologies Inc.600 Wisconsin DriveNew Richmond, WI 54017