This site provides examples and a road map to our future strategies.

Sidney Roberts
Vice President and General Manager, Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. dba Sheldahl

Joe Skelton
Vice President and General Manager, Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc.

Safety Policy Statement

Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. is committed to the overall safety and health of our employees, the public, and our customers: we operate facilities and produce products only when we can do so safely. Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. will comply with all government health and safety regulations. We believe that every injury, exposure, and environmental incident is preventable, and that safety excellence requires the personal commitment of each employee. Continuous improvement to reach safety excellence is integral to our business success and a necessary factor in achieving our vision.

Environmental Policy Statement

Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. is committed to compliance with applicable government regulations. Where feasible, Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. will eliminate, reduce, recycle or reuse, at the source of generation, all materials that result in the generation or release of hazardous pollutants. An effective environmental program will provide customers with products that have reduced environmental impact, contribute to profitability and demonstrate our position as a responsible corporate citizen.

Copper Recycling

Large amounts of copper are used by Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. to manufacture flexible interconnects, and efforts have always been made to recycle this copper bearing material. These efforts occur in three main areas;

i) The excess circuit board laminate, (copper content of between 30 and 60%) is recycled and used as a substitute for copper ore during the manufacture of copper metal.

ii) Copper that is not used to carry electrical current on the circuit is selectively removed by an alkaline solution during the manufacturing process. This dissolved copper is extracted and reused in wood preservatives and animal feed supplements.

iii) Copper bearing sludge, generated in the course of the water treatment processes, has value to two external markets; in copper metal manufacture and copper salt production.

Solid Waste Recycling

Solid wastes, including plastics, paper and cardboard, are all recycled whenever an outlet can be found.

Water Treatment Technologies

In 1981, Sheldahl installed an ion exchange system, which removed copper and lead from wastewater before being discharged to the local Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW). Upgrades made in 1989 included the installation of a computer control system and ultrasonic tank sensors. Plumbing changes allowed segregation of lead and copper rinses, which facilitated the recycling of these metals. In 1993, Sheldahl installed technology which removed all organic substances and chlorine from non-contact cooling water and this has allowed Sheldahl to reuse this water as process water. Measures were taken which reduced the fresh water usage by approximately one third in 1994.

Novaclad®

Novaclad is a proprietary adhesiveless flexible copper laminate developed by Sheldahl. It reduces the impact on the environment as it eliminates the need for adhesives, the corresponding solvents, and uses much less copper with the additive production process.

Methylene Chloride and Trichloroethylene Elimination

These solvents are listed as carcinogens by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In 1988, Sheldahl established an Air Emissions Reduction Team with the objective of eliminating trichloroethylene and methylene chloride in the laminations process. This was achieved in 1995 with the help of Sheldahl's bargaining unit employees. Methylene chloride and trichloroethylene have been replaced by non-chlorinated organic solvents. Emissions from these solvents are reduced using the best available pollution control technology.

Mercury Elimination

Mercury was used to provide a conductive material in electric circuits. As a pollution prevention effort, Sheldahl developed a new design for its manufacturing equipment that eliminated mercury and replaced it with a mechanical electric contact.

Reduction of Glycol Ethers

Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. has instituted a strategy to changeover from glycol ether solvent-based inks to ultraviolet cure materials. This, combined with the elimination of the use of the removal agent, butyl cellosolve, has resulted in a 90% reduction of glycol ethers. Overall solvent reduction has been the objective of a 'Solvent Use Reduction Team'.

Elimination of Ozone Depleting Chemicals

Restrictions regarding the use of ozone depleting chemicals were imposed by the US Clean Air Act of 1990. Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. no longer uses ozone depleting chemicals found in cleaning solvents and has a long term strategy to replaced refrigerant systems containing choloroflourocarbons (CFCs).

Elimination of Formaldehyde

Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. now uses carbon/graphite deposits in copper plating to eliminate the use of formaldehyde.

Lead Reduction

Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. has projects in place to reduce or eliminate the use of tin/lead solder in the manufacture of flexible interconnects. Alternative organic materials are evaluated, and where possible, recommended. Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. has also invested in tin electroplating to form a protective layer for chemical etching of copper.

Bulk Chemical Transfers

Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. has made investments in storage facilities and transfer equipment to minimize the potential for environmental release of flammable solvents and corrosive materials. In addition, training and procedures have been implemented to assure only trained personnel perform these duties.

Community Outreach Programs

Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. strives to be a regular participant in outreach activities at all levels. At a local level, it has liaisons with the Northfield City Council Environmental Quality Commission, in-line with the Community Right-To-Know Law. At a state level, Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. is a member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Environmental Policy Committee. It is also a member of the National Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits (IPC) Environmental, Health and Safety Committee. Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. has been recognized and rewarded for its pollution prevention initiatives and its contribution towards the protection of Minnesota's environment, the health and safety of its citizens.

Future of Environmental, Health and Safety Programs

The activities of the past have demonstrated our path to continuous improvement. Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. dba Sheldahl is currently staged for significant sales growth in the world market. The principles and policies that have brought Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc. to this juncture will continue to be implemented with the same level of commitment and resources. The lessons that have been learned in wastewater treatment and pollution prevention are being applied across the organization.

Questions?
Contact sheldahl.info@sheldahl.com for additional information.