POLAR ZERO

Polar Technology is part of an industry (refrigerant recycle, recovery and reclamation) that is an “iconic” industry when it comes to matters of the environment.  An industry that deals with the manufacturing, distribution and recycling of greenhouse gases, is going to be looked upon differently than other types of industry because its very composition is a potential hazard to the environment.  How gases are manufactured, recycled and destroyed are highly visible issues because mismanagement or one false step could have significant, if not catastrophic implications on the environment.

Polar Technology is different than most companies.  The ownership is committed, and has developed proprietary technology that, not only allows them to significantly compete in the industrial and greenhouse gas industry, but it allows the company to be a leader in environmental protection at the same time.  It is this merging of technology, business acumen and environmental responsibility that has created a unique position for Polar Technology in the refrigerant gas industry.

Polar Technology has worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish protocols for environmental impact and standards for the industry that are designed to meet the ever-increasing EPA minimum standards.  Polar has developed a Global Warming Potential (GWP) calculator that calculates the GWP of each recycled shipment of refrigerants and provides the customer with a report showing the positive impact on the environment.  It is this measure that will become the focal point of Polar ZERO.

Polar Technology has created a business platform that allows it to profitably market efficiencies in reclamation, recovery and recycling technology while providing unparalleled environmental benefits.  Specifically:

• High Yield Guarantee: Polar guarantees to recover a minimum of 95% of mixed gas returned in recycled cylinders.  This means less unrecoverable mixed gas that must be destroyed (reducing carbon footprint) while reducing mixed gas charge-backs to the consumer (lower customer costs = increased margins or profit potential).  Polar is the only company that provides this type of guarantee.  In addition, Polar has the technology to clean and re-certify recycled gas in to useable gas for future use.  This is important since the Government is requiring the stoppage of new gas manufacturing in 2009.  This is important since equipment and machinery will have to be retrofitted or replaced to accommodate the replacement gas.  Recycled gas will be the only source of this type of gas until conversions are made.  Polar, while positively impacting the environment will be in a great position to capitalize on the manufacturing curtailment of these particular refrigerants.
• Best Value Guarantee/No Hassle Guarantee: Polar has developed programs that encourage wholesalers and distributors to get into the system by eliminating any natural fears of “change” by creating a no-risk program for customers to try the HYG program and recognize the savings.
• Polar’s cylinder recertification program not only recycles mixed gas cylinders, but also provides a transportation and storage vehicle that makes mixed gas eminently recoverable.
• Cylinders are repaired, cleaned and painted.
• All valves are replaced and are in certified working order.
• Mixed-gas cylinders go through Polar’s 2KMVP process (2000 Micron Vacuuming Process) that removes all particles that could contaminate gas that is loaded into the cylinders.  This process also creates a perfect vacuum for maximum mixed gas capacity.

Furthermore, Polar, as a company, has applied the same philosophies of environmental responsibility to its own operations.  Polar Technology operates as a “zero carbon footprint” company.   Environmentally speaking, Polar Technology does not exist as an entity.  In fact, it is a Carbon-SYNC company – removing far more Carbon from the environment than it creates.
As a result of the operational efficiencies, technological advantages Polar has achieved and the environmental responsibility mantra of the company, Polar Technology wants to actively encourage its customers (and their customers) be mitigate their respective Carbon footprints on the environment. 

Polar ZERO is a program that creates awareness of the environmental impact of the industry while practicing a sound business model.  It is a program that encourages companies to “seek ZERO” in their businesses.  It is a program that celebrates the fact that a company can be environmentally responsible without sacrificing profits at the same time.  It is a program that recognizes the significant accomplishments of companies as they strive to become greater environmental stewards each year.

The Business and Governmental Environment
Polar Technology is a unique company in this category.  Many of the competitors are large organizations that do refrigerants as a part of the overall scope of their business model.  They are not as finely tuned-in to the environmental aspects of the business because their “machines” are bigger and their focus is diverted to covering massive capital costs.
Not only are they not as environmentally focused; they are not as singularly focused on the refrigerants side of their business.  In most cases, refrigerants are a by-product of their core business of chemical manufacturing, etc.

At the retail level, the business is distributor-driven.  Independent contractors do business with local distributors that carry the HVAC parts and supplies they need to work with their respective customers.  Most individuals are on a first-name basis…or, are at least easily recognizable when they enter the building.  Transactions are usually quick and the distributorships are usually rather cluttered.

This is not a market that tends to worry about the environment.  They live hand-to-mouth and a good day is one when the cash in their pockets is more at the end of the day than at the beginning of the day.

Additionally, environmental stewardship is becoming a “buzz” in legislative circles.  There are numerous pieces of legislation that specifically target this industry and set increasing minimum standards for environmental compliance.  While the industry is the “poster child” for issues of compliance (or non-compliance), in fact, it is one of the smaller contributors of environmental endangerment.

Ideally, the program will raise the profile of the industry with the EPA and government in general.  If the industry can become engaged in this process, perhaps it will lead others within the industry and throughout all industry to increase their stewardship.

The Audience & Desired Outcomes
Primary Customers of Polar Technology: The distributors and/or wholesalers that have contracts with Polar Technology who have branch offices.  This audience already understands the business-side of the Polar relationship. 
The Industry: This is a “pull” program to raise the awareness level of the industry of these issues in hopes that the entire industry will become leaders in environmental stewardship.
By increasing awareness throughout the industry, it is hoped that Polar’s customer base will increase as will the penetration of environmental stewardship.
Government: Use the program to showcase what the industry is doing to manage environmental stewardship in hopes that over-regulation and over-legislation will not become an issue and, hopefully prove that the industry can police itself.
Environmental Protection Agency:  Use the program to work to continue to the relationship with the EPA in furthering the monitoring programs within the industry.