New Balance is working with suppliers to lower VOC emissions among production processes. Where feasible, water-based chemistries are being used to eliminate VOCs at the source. Where water-based chemistry cannot be applied, end point controls are needed to reduce air pollution associated with solvent-based chemistries. 

In 2023, advanced VOC controls were installed at three major New Balance footwear assembly suppliers located in Zhaoqing, Guangdong; Yichun, Jiangxi, and Xinyang, Henan. These sites represent approximately 65% of New Balance’s footwear production capacity in China.

All three sites were equipped with Regenerative Catalytic Oxidizer (RCO) control units, which use regenerated active carbon absorption and catalytic combustion to achieve more than 90% VOC removal. This was a marked improvement from the original active carbon treatment that removed less than 50%. 

To optimize system performance and cover more factory area, suppliers also upgraded their VOC collection pipelines to cover chemical mixing rooms, stock-fitting, glue positions and additional scattered emission points. 

In 2023, three manufacturers averagely reduced an additional 91% VOC emissions compared to the previous systems. This is calculated according to potential VOC emission from chemical ingredients, collection efficiency, and actual removal rates reported in air pollution emission monitoring reports.