Captis Aire, an associate member of the Southern Forest Products Association, has received the Greener Reaction Conditions award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of its 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Award presentation in Washington, D.C., on October 23.
The East Point, GA, company’s patent-pending CAIRE Technology captures more than 90% of terpenes, a waste product from wood product manufacturing processes, and converts it into chemicals, including those used in products such as biofuels, flavors and fragrances. Terpenes are commonly burned as waste, which releases greenhouse gases.
This pollution control technology drives down operating costs and decreases greenhouse gas emissions via energy use reductions, according to Captis Aire, while providing revenue via sales to various industries of turpentine or terpenes captured from the air.
We’re very proud of the EPA award and its recognition of the CAIRE technology, said Kim Tutin, founder and CEO of Captis Aire. This innovation captures carbon from the air and provides key raw materials for biofuels, flavors, fragrances, and more. It is both economically and environmentally advantageous.
The EPA and the American Chemical Society, which co-sponsor the awards, have received more than 1,800 nominations over the past 25 years and presented awards to 139 technologies that decrease hazardous chemicals and resources, reduce costs, and protect public health.
An independent panel of technical experts convened by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute judged the 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Award submissions and made recommendations to the EPA.
All of us benefit from advances in green chemistry as part of prevention pollution in communities, especially where residents continue to suffer from disproportionate levels of pollution, said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator. Green chemistry can play a vital role in protecting human health and the environment by increasing efficiency, avoiding hazardous chemicals and preventing waste while improving the competitiveness of American companies.
The EPA is accepting nominations for the 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards from companies or institutions that have developed a new green chemistry process or product that helps protect human health and the environment. Nominations, which can be submitted by clicking here, are due by Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.