East Central Indiana Companies Prioritize Sustainable Manufacturing

Courtesy of Draper, Inc.

East Central Indiana is home to multiple companies that prioritize eco-friendly materials and production processes. Not only do these companies work to provide a cleaner environment for all and products that meet their clients’ needs, but they also create jobs, which strengthens the economy.

“Our customers and end users are looking for environmentally friendly products to put in their buildings,” says Chris Broome, president of Draper Inc., which manufactures window shades and audio visual and gymnasium equipment in Spiceland. “We will continue to develop new environmentally friendly products to meet these needs, and we will continue to look for ways to make our operations more energy efficient.”

Sustainable Manufacturing Jobs

At its core, sustainable manufacturing simply means managing operations in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

“Sustainability leads to greater resource efficiency and resulting cost savings. In addition, social pressures to show good stewardship are mounting in the form of customer demand and investor interest,” an NIST article on the topic states.

NIST further states that implementing these practices can look different from company to company, saying “no one-size-fits-all solution can exist for improving sustainable manufacturing performance. Each manufacturing enterprise is unique.”

And this is certainly the case for manufacturers in the region.

NOVA Chemicals: The NOVA Way

In Connersville, IN, plastics company NOVA Chemicals, in collaboration with packaging products developer Novolex, recently announced a new facility to mechanically recycle polyethylene resins. The plant will convert plastic film from recycling bins and receptacles at stores into plastic pellets to make new packaging for food packaging and e-commerce, among other things. The collaboration is projected to create about 125 full-time jobs in Fayette County.

“NOVA Chemicals values the safety and well-being of our communities and the environment,” the company’s website says. “We take care to be a good neighbor in the areas where we live and work by promoting conversation, understanding and involvement.”

Clearline Technologies: A Clear Process

In Muncie, IN, Clearline Technologies opened a new facility to make roadway products, such as parking curbs and speeds bumps, using 100% recycled rubber. The company’s flagship product is the patented C-Port rooftop equipment support solution, which is made from recycled tires.

All Clearline Technologies products are certified to meet LEED standards for environmentally friendly construction. Beyond that, the company works to source upcycled materials and use recycled items, such as recycled tables in the break room, throughout its operations.

Draper Inc.: Sustainability in Spiceland

Draper began manufacturing window shades when it was founded by Luther Draper in 1902. Since then, it has launched new product lines, grown to 700 employees and increased its manufacturing space to 500,000 square feet. But it remains family owned and is now in its fifth generation of family leadership.

What hasn’t changed is the firm’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing. “We are always looking for ways to reduce our environmental footprint,” he says. 

Draper’s newest manufacturing facility, which opened in 2023, generates clean electricity through a solar installation on the roof. In addition, a new energy management system allows the company to better track its energy usage. Its goal is to reduce energy consumption by 25%.

“In addition to energy reduction, we also use sustainable and recyclable raw materials throughout our manufacturing processes,” he says.

Draper’s window shades greatly reduce glare, heat gain and winter heat loss. Motorized and automated shades adjust based on the sun’s location to provide energy savings and reduce the need for artificial lighting throughout the day.

“Our efforts to use less energy result in a cleaner environment, and our focus on sustainable raw materials means less of our scrap goes to the local landfill,” he says.

“Our products are also environmentally friendly, which helps increase our sales and results in more job opportunities.”