Etna has prided itself in being environmentally aware since the Company started operations. One of the first changes that Etna implemented to be more environmentally aware was launching a new line of lubricants that allowed for copper tube drawing lubricants to be degreased thermally.Before the introduction of these lubricants that bright annealed, the copper tube drawing industry had to use costly vapor degreasers that created emission and disposal problems.

In 1968 Etna launched the Mechanical Products Division. The Mechanical Products Division developed and patented the Total Loss® Lubricant application system. This new application system allows the user to apply the perfect amount of lubricant to the drawing operation. Tool life improved, excess waste is reduced and lubricant usage is reduced.

Oil, being the precious non-renewable resource that it is, could now be re-used. Etna started reclaiming used drawing oil in 1970 for re-use by our customers prior to the 1973 oil embargo created by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC.) Etna customers of the reclaiming service will be able to beneficially re-use drawing oil and save on disposal costs.

The Specialty Chemical Division was created in 1983 to manufacture oil-free saturated polyester resins. These resins are used by the formulators of paints and coatings to produce products with reduced Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions.

In 2001, Etna started Etna-TEC, Ltd., a company that specializes in manufacturing in Multi-Functional Acrylates (MFA’s). MFAs are used in the formulation of coatings that are UV cured. Additionally, the company has a patent on a MFA that is used to create a zero VOC coating.

Etna is currently intensifying efforts to find a suitable renewable alternative to mineral base oils and chlorinated extreme pressure agents such as chlorinated paraffin’s.The Etna plant was built on a Greenfield site and has installed above ground tanks for bulk storage raw materials. The usage of above ground storage tanks which are surrounded by dykes greatly reduce the risk of environmental damage due to leaks or spills.