Zimmer-Biomet Holdings Inc. announced Monday its participation in the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Better Buildings, Better Plants” program.

The company entered into the voluntary agreement with the DOE in January as part of the company’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint at locations across the country and in Puerto Rico.

By joining the program, the company has committed to reduce energy intensity by 25 percent over the next 10 years. The program also contains a water-reduction component that Zimmer Biomet will incorporate into its sustainability goals, according to a news release from the company.



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Energy intensity is a measure of the energy efficiency of a nation's economy. It is calculated as units of energy per unit of gross domestic product. High energy intensities indicate a high price or cost of converting energy into GDP. Low energy intensity indicates a lower price or cost of converting energy into GDP.

"Zimmer Biomet recognizes that we all have a responsibility to be good stewards of energy, as evidenced by our 2015 goal to reduce our carbon footprint by 20 percent by 2020," said Adrian Furey, Zimmer Biomet senior vice president of global operations and logistics.

"This partnership will help us reach that goal and continue to reduce energy intensity over the long term."

The “Better Buildings, Better Plants” program offers an established record of success that Zimmer Biomet will build upon, as more than 2,900 plants, representing 12 percent of U.S. manufacturing energy, are actively participating in the program and working to reduce energy intensity by an average of 3 percent per year.

Zimmer Biomet is already using tools provided through the program to establish an energy baseline. After the baseline is established, Zimmer Biomet will refine its 2020 Sustainability Plan to improve facility performance and reduce energy costs.

Strategies for reducing energy intensity include sourcing renewable energy where available, upgrading lighting to utilize LED technologies, improving compressed-air systems and sourcing premium-efficiency motors.

"The program will provide us with new insights into cost-effective and proven strategies for reducing our carbon footprint while meeting internal quality requirements, occupant comfort and stakeholder expectations," Furey said.