Lancaster County, Pa.-Based Chemical Firm Joins EPA Partnership Program

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Sylvin Technologies Inc. was set today to become the first Lancaster County company to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Partnership for Environmental Priorities program.

Oct. 15— Sylvin Technologies Inc. was set today to become the first Lancaster County company to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Partnership for Environmental Priorities program.


The NPEP is a voluntary program in which companies work with the EPA to reduce or eliminate any of 31 hazardous chemicals, earning EPA recognition.


Denver-based Sylvin, a 38-employee firm established in 1978, will use the NPEP to help it eliminate lead from the polyvinyl chloride compounds it makes.


The compounds are used in wire and cable coatings, electrical plugs, sunroof moldings, chain coatings, swingset seats and many other products, said Sylvin's Beth Tice, human resources director.


Sylvin intends to cut its use of lead, a stabilizer and color ingredient, by 55 percent this year and eliminate lead by the end of 2006.


Sylvin plans to achieve that by reformulating its compounds, creating a safer work environment, said Tice.


A 4 p.m. ceremony, attended by government and company officials, was scheduled at the plant to mark Sylvin's entrance into the program.


© 2004, Lancaster New Era, Pa. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.