The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Solvay Specialty Polymers Plant in Orange has partnered with Keep Orange County Beautiful (KOCB) to plant canopy trees as part of their Business/Community Environmental Initiative. Solvay recently launched a new step with a new target – Solvay committed to reducing its absolute GHG (green house gas) emissions of its operations by 2025, compared with the 2017 level, at constant scope. “Effectively fighting global warming requires decreasing GHG emissions in absolute value;” according to Kyle O’Halloran Solvay’s Orange site manager.

When a community’s economy is healthy and business grows; trees are often removed for

additional expansion space. This tree planting located at the entrance to the City of Orange boat

ramp on Simmons Drive is a gift to Orange County who lost 30-40% of its tree canopy during

Hurricane Rita. Orange County is located in the middle of the third largest busier than ever

interstate highway system in the US with thousands of vehicles emitting carbon dioxide every day.

Simmons Drive is a major Orange entrance which aligns with Mayor Larry Spears desire to recreate

Simmons Drive as family friendly; and to welcome both visitors and Orange citizens alike to fishing

tournaments, boat races and other events at the soon-to-be built boat ramp pavilion.

Trees that were planted are Montezuma Cypress. They are fast growing up to 70 feet tall

with a thick trunk up to 6 feet in diameter similar to other cypresses in the area but this species

does not produce “knees.” Abundant towering pine, oak and cypress have played an important role

throughout Orange’s history. Canopy Trees are workhorses that remove air pollution by breathing

in atmospheric carbon dioxide and breath out oxygen as well as filtering dust and other pollutants.

An acre of trees can absorb 6 tons of carbon dioxide and produce 4 tons of life giving oxygen.

Solvay is an advanced materials and specialty chemicals company, committed to developing

chemistry that addresses key societal challenges. Solvay innovates and partners with customers

worldwide in many diverse end markets. Its products are used in planes, cars, batteries, smart and

medical devices, as well as in mineral and oil and gas extraction, enhancing efficiency and

sustainability. Solvay now generates 50% of revenues with solutions addressing the challenges of

sustainable development Learn more at www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com.

The value of trees adds to the desirability of urban areas. Trees mean good business.

Citizens and visitors prefer to shop and play at shaded and well-landscaped locations. It is a

generous and noble act to protect, preserve, propagate and plant big trees. Keep Orange County Beautiful ongoing mission of “More Trees, Less Trash” is proud to recognize and help further the

efforts of Solvay Specialty Polymers Orange, Texas plant for the conservation and beautification

efforts of their business and our community.

For more information on Keep Orange County Beautiful visit our website at

www.KOCB.org. Or visit us on Facebook at Keep Orange County Beautiful.