WASHINGTON, DC -- Several Michigan companies are getting a financial boost from the federal government.
As part of the Obama Administration’s blueprint for an American economy built to last, the Energy Department announced new investments in Michigan that support American leadership and global competiveness in manufacturing.
The Energy Department awarded $9 million to Dow Chemical and nearly $2.7 million to General Motors to develop cutting-edge manufacturing processes that will save the companies money by reducing the energy needed to power their facilities.
The Michigan-based projects are part of a $54 million investment by the Energy Department – leveraging $17 million in cost share from the private sector – for 13 projects across the country to advance transformational technologies, materials and processes that can help American manufacturers dramatically increase the energy efficiency of their operations and reduce costs.
“By investing in breakthrough processes and technologies that can drastically reduce the amount of energy consumed during manufacturing, the Energy Department is supporting President Obama’s blueprint for an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, and skills for American workers,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “When it comes to clean energy, our motto should be: ‘Invented in America, made in America, and sold around the world.’ The projects announced today will improve the competitive position of U.S. industry and help Michigan’s manufacturers produce more while saving energy, saving money and protecting our air and water.”
“Dow is very excited to be awarded this grant to continue advancing low-cost, high volume carbon fiber development. This project fits with Dow’s overall vision for energy efficiency – which we feel is an essential part of a comprehensive energy policy,” said Florian Schattenmann, R&D Director, Dow Automotive Systems. “Carbon fiber allows our customers to realize energy benefits in many markets from passenger cars to commercial vehicles to wind turbines. With the development of a potentially lower cost solution, the range of commercially accessible applications can be extensive.”
The Michigan projects selected for awards include a $9 million investment in Midland, Michigan’s Dow Chemical Company to create a low-cost carbon fiber production process that could potentially reduce the production cost of carbon fibers by 20 percent and reduce the total carbon dioxide emissions per unit of carbon fiber output by 50 percent. General Motors, LLC of Warren, Michigan will also receive a nearly $2.7 million investment to develop an integrated super-vacuum die casting process that is expected to achieve a 50 percent energy savings compared to the current process used to manufacture car doors. The reduced weight in the car doors will also result in serious fuel economy improvements and carbon emission savings. Ford Motor Company will also work on with Dow Chemical on the carbon fibers project as well as partner with the University of Utah to develop a new process for producing titanium components that could dramatically improve how materials are used in manufacturing vehicles and aircraft. These projects represent a major investment in the solutions that will transform energy-intensive manufacturing technologies and materials used by industry here in the U.S.
You can see a full list of project descriptions by clicking here.
