Ergon Supports a Circular Economy

Ergon President & CEO has contributed a LinkedIn article for Earth Day, highlighting Ergon’s efforts to support a circular economy and ensure a more sustainable future. Read the featured article below, and learn about Ergon’s efforts to continue Doing Right with our products, for our planet, by our people and through our principles.

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By focusing on our part in the circular economy, Ergon is redefining waste as opportunity and stretching the idea of “end use” by constantly seeking to get the most value out of our products and raw materials.

At Ergon, our vision is to be the world’s preferred partner for innovative and specialized solutions that drive customer success. This vision is more important than ever as our customers face increased demand for solutions that deliver a more sustainable future.

In observance of Earth Month, I want to highlight Ergon’s commitment to Doing Right with our products, for our planet, by our people and through our principles. I continue to be amazed at our team’s dedication to building a more sustainable future for generations to come, including our efforts toward creating circular economies. This concept ensures that our products are constantly being recycled and reused. For instance, used oil (from post-consumer use) can be re-refined and then used in lubricants. At the end of their use, the lubricants can again be sent for re-refining. This continual cycle reduces waste and other negative impacts on the environment and communities in which we serve.

Specialty Solutions for a Sustainable Future
Companies within our Energy & Specialty Solutions (ESS) business segment are committed to providing renewable and recycled materials to meet industry standards and customer needs amid a growing push for sustainable products.

To further our commitment to supporting a circular economy, Ergon’s Process Oils Inc. and Ergon Refining Inc. (ERI), our naphthenic refinery in Vicksburg, Mississippi, have obtained International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS. Ergon International is currently in the process of obtaining ISCC PLUS certification as well.

ISCC is globally recognized in the certification of sustainable feedstocks, acknowledging that an entire supply chain meets stringent sustainability requirements. For a business to obtain certification, companies must show traceability of ISCC-certified materials from procurement through their production and/or distribution along the supply chain. Suppliers and customers must also be ISCC certified, completing the circular economy.

Paving the Way
Through our Pavement & Coating Resources (PCR) business segment, Ergon provides solutions to enhance the performance of one of the most recycled materials — asphalt. Our preservation and maintenance product offerings include binders for various recycled asphalt treatments. These treatments reduce the amount of asphalt sent to landfills — thus contributing to the circular economy.

Through PCR’s laboratories and other partnerships, Ergon continues to research and develop technologies that make roads last longer and allow for a reduction in energy and emissions related to road construction. Additionally, due to the versatility of asphalt, our team is currently developing innovative ways to expand its use in other applications. Recently, representatives from PCR’s Crafco, Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions (Ergon A&E) and our state-of-the-art laboratory, Paragon Technical Services, collaborated with the Ergon ESS company, Resinall Corp, to develop a product that allows asphalt roofing shingles to be recycled as opposed to being sent to landfills in the future.

PCR companies are also utilizing recycled tires as part of our roadway solutions, including Ergon A&E’s Hybrid Ground Tire Rubber Asphalt Mix and Crafco’s patented pavement sealant. Such solutions provide an alternative for end-of-life tires that keeps them from being sent to landfills as well.

Logistics of the Circular Economy
Storage and transportation are key components of the circular economy because products must make it to their final destinations to have an impact. Ergon’s strategic logistics network within our Integrated Services & Logistics segment ensures products are stored in facilities and terminals that meet regulations for quality control and are transported under rigorous standards in a timely manner. These measures are how we maintain the quality of the products, ensure safe handling from storage to transport, and help reduce emissions and other environmental impacts associated with supply chain management.

Coming Together
Ergon’s focus on a circular economy signifies a comprehensive approach to addressing both environmental and economic challenges. Through conserving natural resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing landfill usage, we aim for a cleaner future to protect our communities. Additionally, Ergon continues to monitor energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, even committing to decrease carbon emissions by 25% by 2026 at ERI.

I am so proud of the Ergon family’s efforts in creating sustainable solutions. I am also incredibly thankful for our suppliers, partners and customers for their collaborative efforts in helping to foster a circular economy.

Together, let’s continue to make a meaningful difference for our planet every day.

Ergon Construction Group: Growth Rooted in Relationships

The Ergon family of companies is committed to providing innovative and specialized solutions that drive customer success. In keeping with the organization-wide goal to be the world’s premier partner for progress, learn how Ergon Construction Group’s commitment to building relationships has led to tremendous growth opportunities, allowing them to expand into more markets with additional service offerings to meet evolving customer needs.

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Recent expansion of Ergon Construction Group Inc., comprised of Alliant Construction (Alliant) and ISO Services, is rooted in customer relationships. “We are trying to build relationships more than we’re trying to build one specific project,” said Nathan Witt, President of Ergon Construction Group. “With everyone we work for, every relationship we establish, whether it’s a building owner or an architect on Alliant’s side, or an industrial plant on ISO Services’ side, our goal is to be a long-term partner in their success.”

Evolving to Meet Customer Needs

When determining the next steps for growth, Ergon Construction Group simply listens to the customers. Recognizing the importance of craft service accessibility, ISO Services (previously ISO Panels) expanded their scaffolding capabilities in 2018. Then, in 2020, Ergon Maintenance Services and ISO Panels merged into ISO Services, integrating industrial services and offering more comprehensive solutions. Additionally, in the same year, the division added leaders dedicated to expanding their coating services. “Customers frequently asked, ‘Do you offer this?’ And in the industrial world, plants and customers want fewer contractors, so we eventually decided to add that service to our offerings,” said Witt. This strategic decision underscores the company’s commitment to actively listening and responding to market demands. According to Chad Watts, VP & General Manager of ISO Services, “The best way to tell what service a new customer needs is to listen to them and then take every opportunity to show what we can do.”

Similarly, Alliant has diversified their service offerings, transitioning from their traditional focus on commercial projects to embracing opportunities in schools, warehouses and government-funded projects. “We want to make sure we have every tool in our toolbox that our customers need,” said Andy Measells, VP & General Manager of Alliant. As a result, Alliant has recently established a new regional office in Memphis, further extending their reach into the Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas markets.

Employees Leading the Growth

With most of the employees directly engaging with customers, Ergon Construction Group aims to Win With People through their solid relationships and trust built on the construction site. Measells emphasized that they made a firm decision early on when starting Alliant — to lead with integrity and honesty, a principle deeply ingrained in the values of the Ergon and Lampton family. This dedication to being transparent and reliable has since generated an abundance of repeat customers. “Our clients know they can trust what we tell them,” Measells said. “We’re not only going to do a good job, but we’re also going to behave professionally while at those places.” This trust extends to the caliber of skilled individuals representing the company. From the Craftsmen to the General Managers, each employee embodies Ergon’s core value of Respectful Relationships while showcasing their expertise. Watts refers to their skills as “artwork,” a testament to their meticulous workmanship and problem-solving abilities.

Additionally, while highlighting their comprehensive understanding of what it means to own, operate and maintain industrial plants and commercial buildings, Witt emphasizes the importance of having an “owner’s mindset” — a perspective that sets them apart from competitors. Unlike competitors who may prioritize a quick turnover, Ergon Construction Group remains steadfast in a commitment to lasting quality and building it right the first time, every time.

Navigating Future Growth

Looking ahead, future growth strategies for Ergon Construction Group focus on organic growth, including geographic and market expansions. Particularly within Alliant, the company is anticipating project expansion into federal and medical markets, whereas the ISO Services division aims to synchronize service capabilities across all their locations, including their latest location in Ennis, Texas. With a workforce doubling in recent years, the company recognizes customers’ demand for expertise in project management, quality control and safety. “You’ve got to be a certain size business to have this type of talent, so we’re forced to grow. We must grow,” said Watts. Due to the people-centric nature of the construction industry, prioritizing people is a major component of the company’s growth objectives. Moving forward, Ergon Construction Group remains committed to striking the right balance between growth and maintaining the integrity and values of their workforce — all while staying focused on being the ultimate service provider for customers. By doing so, Ergon Construction Group is keeping the collective mission of the Ergon family of companies, which is to meet needs, support families and serve customers, at the forefront of their journey toward Purposeful Growth.

Ergon to Increase Naphthenic Prices in North America

FLOWOOD, Miss. — Ergon has announced an increase in pricing of naphthenic oils in the North American market effective Friday, April 19, 2024.

–   HyVolt Dielectric Fluids and 60 viscosity will increase by $0.35 per gallon
–   HyGold Base Oils and HyPrene Process Oils will increase by $0.30 per gallon

About Ergon
Ergon is a group of privately held companies that operate under four primary business segments: Energy & Specialty Solutions, Pavement & Coating Resources, Integrated Services & Logistics, and Exploration & Production.

Contact Information
Kathy Potts Vice President – Marketing Communications
601-933-3000
kathy.potts@ergon.com
ergon.comergonspecialtyoils.com