FERNDALE, Mich., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Gage Products Company, a global leader in the development of closed-loop recycling technology for automotive paint systems, has received two Environmental Leadership Awards (ELAs) from DaimlerChrysler.

Gage was recognized for a cost-saving solvent management program and a recycled engine-coolant process, both developed for use at DaimlerChrysler assembly plants in North America.

The Ferndale-based company's solvent management program received DaimlerChrysler's ELA Award for "Best Process" and its engine-coolant process won top honors for "Best Product." Gage was a winner in two of three major award categories.

Doug Orf, DaimlerChrysler's senior pollution prevention manager and director of the ELA awards program, noted that his company's environmental leadership program recognizes companies for extraordinary efforts to improve the environment. The program takes into account environmental impact, innovation in product development, cost savings and contributions to overall quality.

"We are extremely proud to have been recognized by DaimlerChrysler for our efforts to provide cost-saving, sustainable manufacturing solutions for the paint-related solvents used in their assembly processes," a Gage spokesperson notes.

"Gage is a leader in the development of paint recycling and remanufacturing processes," the spokesperson notes. "Solvent cleanup has become increasingly important not only within the auto industry, but also within the chemical, pharmaceutical and electronics industries as well."

Gage has carved out an important niche in the environmental quality arena by remanufacturing automotive paint solvents to original quality levels. Gage solvent management systems help automotive customers save costs and meet increasingly strict state and federal environmental standards.

A Gage spokesperson explains that Gage uses its own, unique recycling processes to purify paint solvents for reuse. The company currently provides solvent management programs at seven of DaimlerChrysler's North American assembly plants. He estimates that Gage's solvent management program alone has saved DaimlerChrysler more than $7.3 million since 1999.

"Earning an environmental leadership award for best process from an OEM such as DaimlerChrysler is especially meaningful to our company and our employees," the spokesperson notes. "It is gratifying to be recognized by one of our top customers as the best at what we do."

Gage's recycled engine-coolant program was developed in partnership with Valvoline and DaimlerChrysler to recycle coolant for use in new vehicles. Coolant, which contains ethylene glycol, is toxic to many plants and animals. Coolant disposal currently is unregulated and used coolants generally are not recycled into original quality products.

Today, however, used engine coolant recovered from dealership service departments, quick-change oil stores and service stations is shipped to Gage for recycling. Gage has installed a new processing facility expressly for glycol distillation. Since its program with DaimlerChrysler began several years ago, more than three million pounds of spent ethylene glycol have been recovered and "redistilled" for use as coolant in new-model cars. Gage now supplies recycled ethylene glycol for engine coolant used at most of DaimlerChrysler's assembly plants in North America.

This is the second year DaimlerChrysler has awarded the ELA to deserving suppliers. Award ceremonies alternate between Stuttgart, Germany, and Auburn Hills, MI. Gage received its awards at DaimlerChrysler's headquarters in Auburn Hills. Previously, Gage received DaimlerChrysler's CHEER (Chrysler Honors Environmental Excellence Recognition) award in 1997 and 1998 and was an ELA finalist in 2000.

Gage Products is a global company recognized as a pioneer in the field of sustainable manufacturing and solvent remanufacturing techniques. The company's products and services help customers reduce costs, while positively contributing to their environmental initiatives. Gage's major automotive customers include DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Nissan. Gage also has supplier alliances with a number of major paint suppliers and pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ferndale, MI since 1936, the company also has facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil and Mexico. Gage is a charter member of the Southeastern Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and a participant in Ford Motor Company's Project Heritage program.

CONTACT: Tom Murray of Gage Products Company, Phone: 248-691-6737, Email: tmurray@gageproducts.com ; or Media Contact: Larry Weis of AutoCom Associates, +1-248-647-8621, E-Mail: lweis@usautocom.com , for Gage Products Company