Palmyra, N.Y. -- Garlock Sealing Technologies has completed construction of a new facility for the production of its GYLON® restructured PTFE industrial gasketing products. The new facility, which also will serve to consolidate all shipping and receiving activity for the company’s Palmyra operations, will meet global demand for its GYLON products with the potential for significant expansion.

Begun in August 2007, the new plant represents the second major phase of a five-year, $30 million modernization program of Garlock’s 100-year-old industrial complex. The first phase, a new building for production of its Klozure dynamic oil seals, was completed in December 2006.

In addition to new capital equipment to improve both the quality of its products and the efficiency with which they are produced, the new GYLON facility incorporates a host of environmental features. These include a state-of-the art, closed-loop recovery system that allows the company to recycle and reuse process solvents and eliminate VOC emissions.

Among other conservation-minded features are closed-loop equipment that saves up to 20,000 gallons of water per day, use of non-treated water for production processes, separation of the storm water system and creation of green spaces to reduce runoff. Even the materials resulting from the demolition of old structures have been recycled or re-used on site to minimize waste.

The new facility is also a model of energy efficiency, featuring water-cooled chillers with ultrasonic humidification, reflective roofs to reduce heat loading and highly insulative exterior wall panels. In addition, on-demand water heaters serve isolated areas, and waste heat is recovered from exhaust ventilation systems and air compressors.