If you’re a manufacturer in the polymer industry in Ohio, life might get a lot more cost-effective
for you, thanks to the Smart Energy Program directed by PolymerOhio and funded through the
Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). This program offers the chance to have your facility
energy-audited so recommendations can be implemented for significant energy cost savings.
Small-to-medium-size manufacturers (SMEs) with up to 80 employees represent in excess of 50
percent of polymer industry employment and consume disproportionately more energy than
other industries’ processors.

At the same time, they tend to be the least energy-efficient users,
due to the nature and condition process equipment currently in operation.
In applying for ODOD funding, PolymerOhio wanted to provide a pathway to incent Ohio
Polymer SMEs to invest in energy efficiency in their operations in order to be more cost
competitive in the future. Because PolymerOhio has connections with companies that can
provide energy efficiency audits, such analyses can be provided at very low cost and thus allow
companies to make changes in energy consumption. Hanging over everyone’s head is the
likelihood that in the future, energy inefficiency will be penalized with fines from electric
utilities
Most SMEs are managed by owners who wear many hats and are first and foremost engaged in
sales for the company. Most spend minimal time on investigating incremental operational
improvements, even though there is an abundance of new technology available to these SMEs.
To date, relatively few companies have taken advantage of existing investment incentives. Most
SMEs frankly do not have time to wade into the intricacies of filing for investment incentives
without a clear understanding of potential cost benefits for implementing new technology.
Now, PolymerOhio can connect SME companies with providers of energy-efficiency
opportunities and analyses. By applying subsidies from a newly awarded ODOD grant,
PolymerOhio can provide SMEs with an energy efficiency assessment and roadmap at virtually
no cost and virtually risk free. This assessment and plan for the future will be formulated by
energy-efficiency experts (see below) and companies will also be provided with information on
other energy areas that will offer attractive savings potential to the SME when weighed against
future penalties that may be assessed to companies without an energy-efficiency plan. Cost
match will be provided by PolymerOhio directly or through subcontracted resources to market
the program and monitor post-implementation success. PolymerOhio’s energy efficiency
partners are PCX Energy of Cleveland, www.PCXEnergy.com and CPT of Cincinnati,
www.cinprotech.com.
PCX Energy Services, LLC helps companies to improve profitability and achieve sustainability
objectives by identifying “real” energy savings and waste reduction opportunities associated
with their facility, operation and processes. PCX focuses exclusively on “Return on Investment”
and applies a discrete, objective, four-phased approach, which starts with an initial energy
assessment followed by the development of a prioritized energy reduction plan and then full
project implementation management and follow up. PCX’s technical experience resides in the
polymer injection molding industry and energy management field.
Cincinnati Process Technologies (CPT) offers a comprehensive range of energy saving and
efficiency improving products, services, and technology for plastics processes, including
injection molders, blow molders, and structural foam molders, and their primary equipment,
including plant auxiliary, water, air, and lighting systems.
Starting in June 2010 and for the following 12 months, the ODOD grant will allow PolymerOhio
and its energy-efficiency partners to conduct walkthroughs and assessments for up to 20 SME
companies. PolymerOhio expects to generate at least $500,000 in energy savings over the next
three years following completion of the assessments for participating SMEs. SMEs interested in
Smart Energy should apply to PolymerOhio, which is an Ohio non-profit entity and an Edison
Center.
For more information please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Toll-Free 866-996-
9296 and leave a voice mail.

What to expect in your company’s energy assessment Initial typical walkthrough - Spend 15 minutes with the SME discussing its business and the assessment objective. - Conduct a plant tour lasting approximately one hour. Client may accompany auditors during plant tour to answer questions (optional). - Respond to SME within two weeks or less with a proposal to conduct a detailed energy assessment. The cost of this assessment is expected to be $1000 to $2500 upfront to the company, depending on its size, and will be subsidized by the grant for an equivalent amount. Based on prior experience this upfront payment will have a payback period of 12 months or less by addressing “lowhanging fruit”. It is expected that the assessment will also identify longer term and higher impact opportunities, and provide investment requirements along with associated payback or ROI estimates. For the company involved, this is VERY LOW RISK With Large Potential Benefits! Subsequent assessment proposal - Revisit plant to investigate and measure actual energy consumption on various equipment. - Provide written report with findings, recommendations, equipment quotation and payback analysis. If the team is unable to propose such an energy-efficiency cost recovery threshold for the SME, the team will explicitly state that at the outset of the proposal. If the SME finds the proposal desirable at more than 12-month pay back, it may choose to go forward without the 12-month payback promise. If it chooses not to proceed, the walkthrough and the proposal will cost the SME nothing. No Cost – No Risk to the SME.