TI maintained compliance with air-quality permits and regulations globally in 2010. In addition, TI:
Was recognized again by the North Texas Clean Air Coalition, which honored us with three awards for improving air quality through our robust commuting programs.
Further reduced NOx emissions by shutting down old equipment and using technologically advanced abatement systems.
We faced some challenges as well, including:
An increase in manufacturing and expanded production capacity, which led to increased VOC emissions.
Our 2009 Toxic Release Inventory (submitted in July 2010), which revealed an increase in permitted air releases in the U.S.
North Texas failing to meet the region’s eight-hour ozone standards. We anticipate more restrictions on all area industries may result.
An increase in TI’s CFC refrigerant leak rate from 3.85 percent to 7.27 percent, due to leaks in the U.S. and Japan. The leaks have been repaired; in some cases, units have been replaced with alternative refrigerant units.
Looking ahead
In 2011, we will continue evaluating our recently acquired sites in Japan and China to assess what gaps must be addressed, if any, to meet our air-quality standards. We will also continue to monitor emerging state and federal legislation that may impact our air-management programs, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to lower leak repair trigger rates for ozone-depleting refrigerants.
