St. Louis, MO (PRWEB via PRWebDirect) October 23, 2007 -- The recycling of lead-acid batteries by The Doe Run Company’s Buick Resource Recycling Division not only benefits the environment, but it also helps supply materials for multiple manufacturing industries. Although lead is the primary recycled resource extracted from these batteries, the process also creates kosher-certified sodium sulfate, a salt commonly used in the manufacturing of starch.
“Though none of the sodium sulfate we produce is contained in food, it is used in making an industrial, corn-based starch that goes into papermaking or cardboard production,” said Lou Magdits, Doe Run’s director of raw materials.
Because this paper packaging may come into contact with food later on, the Buick Resource Recycling Division adheres to kosher processing procedures for the sodium sulfate process. “Kosher” is a term used to describe products made in accordance with Jewish law. Suppliers of Kosher-certified products require certifications at all steps in the manufacturing supply chain.
“For instance, if a company is making Kosher macaroni, all items that touch the noodles (the plastic window and the cardboard box) must have been produced in a Kosher-certified process,” added Magdits.
The sodium sulfate process is certified by the Chicago Rabbinical Council. A certified rabbi visits BRRD each year to ensure the salt-creation process and raw materials are consistent with kosher requirements. According to www.jewfaq.org, nearly 75 percent of all prepackaged foods carry some sort of kosher certification.
Doe Run’s sodium sulfate is also used in the manufacturing of other products such as glass, powdered laundry detergent and carpet freshening products.
BRRD, located in Boss, Mo., is the world’s largest single-site lead recycling facility, processing more than 13.5 million lead-acid batteries annually. Battery recycling yields approximately 1,200 tons of sodium sulfate per month.
Based in St. Louis, The Doe Run Company is a privately held natural resources company and the largest integrated lead producer in the Western Hemisphere. Dedicated to environmentally responsible mineral and metal production, Doe Run operates the world’s largest, single-site lead recycling facility, located in Missouri. The Doe Run Company and its subsidiaries deliver products and services necessary to provide power, protection and convenience. Doe Run has operations in Missouri, Washington and Arizona. For more information, visit www.doerun.com.
Contact:
Justin Lopinot
(314) 469-3500
jlopinot @ standingpr.com
http://www.doerun.com
For available photos, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/doerunphotos
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