Air agency lauds CXT’s improvements

CXT Inc. of Spokane Valley was honored with the 2011 Clean Air Award for reducing ozone-forming pollution from paints and solvents.

The award is given annually by the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency.

CXT, a subsidiary of L.B. Foster Co., makes concrete railroad ties and pre-fabricated concrete outdoor buildings. Last year, CXT replaced most of its solvent-based paints with water-based paints that contain low levels of ozone-forming compounds.

The company also replaced cleaning solvents with an environmentally friendly washing fluid. Together, the changes resulted in a 50 percent reduction in ozone-forming pollutants released by CXT.

CXT was able to make the changes during a year when business rose by 20 percent, said David Steiger, a vice president.

In addition, CXT reduced the use of heaters for curing concrete, using less natural gas and producing fewer carbon emissions.