Saxonburg-based laser and technology company Coherent Corp. is now getting 70% of its electricity globally from renewable energy.
Coherent (NYSE: COHR) said it uses 500 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually across its operations around the world and by using renewables, it reduces more than 250,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. It's part of Coherent's plan to eliminate the use of fossil fuels and have net zero emissions by 2040.
It said that Coherent has already saved 2.5 million kilowatt hours of energy annually in the program, known as Coherent Lean System, since 2023. Coherent pointed to the use of a heat pump at one of its plants in Germany as an example.
"Even better than using renewable energy is using less energy by training and certifying our employees across several tiers of Lean Six Sigma certifications that focus on projects to identify and eliminate waste in our processes," said Global Lean Transformation VP Bob Daly. "Driving our Lean principles is intimately intertwined with our sustainability ambitions."
Coherent announced Tuesday it had sponsored two initiatives, the Historically Black College and Universities and Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Entrepreneurship & Innovation Initiative from the Leadership Needed Foundation and the Optica Foundation Amplify Scholarship for Black scientists. The commitment is for $500,000, including $375,000 to HBCU/MI for advanced degrees and certification programs for laser technology and $125,000 for the scholarship program from Optica Foundation.
"It is our responsibility to help create opportunities for young people in love with discovery and possibility," said CEO Vincent D. Mattera Jr. "We will work with HBCU/MI and the Optica Foundation to expand the reach of the life-changing work they do."
