CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines -- Texas Instruments (TI), Inc., announced that the US Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded its new assembly/test facility here a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, the first gold-certified facility in the Philippines.

"The LEED Gold certification is a validation of TI's commitment to environmental stewardship and to the health of the communities where it operates," Bing Viera, managing director of TI's operations in the Philippines, said. "The Clark facility was designed from the ground up to maximize manufacturing  capabilities and minimize environmental impact."

The newly constructed 780,000-square foot facility is located on the former Clark airbase in Pampanga.

TI has had a manufacturing presence in the Philippines for more than 30 years. It earned a LEED-NC silver certification on its Phase V expansion project in Baguio City last year. It was the Philippine's first LEED certified building.

TI began using USGBC LEED rating systems to guide improvements for construction and sustainability in the early 2000s when the company constructed the world's first LEED gold-certified semiconductor manufacturing facility, RFAB, in Richardson, Texas.

TI Clark site's sustainable design and construction features include:

-- A highly reflective roof to reduce heat gain. It is the first TI site to install a section of vegetative roofing. The 11,000 square foot roof area is covered with living plants to help reduce heat gain and slow water runoff.

-- Natural day lighting is used where possible, and efficient lights with sensors and controls take care of the balance of the lighting needs. TI utilizes a desiccant wheel air handling unit to provide dehumidified fresh air. Traditional chilled water cooling removes some moisture and cools the air while the desiccant wheel absorbs the remaining moisture.

-- More than 20 percent of the materials in the building were made from recycled content and 40  percent of all construction materials were locally produced.

-- Low-emitting materials such as paints, adhesives, sealants, and carpeting were used to minimize off-gassing and provide for better indoor air quality.

-- More than 96 percent of the construction waste was diverted from the landfill through reuse or recycling. A truck load of waste crating material was donated to the Philippines National Apiary Project, which turned the wood into working beehives for honey production. Construction waste was also donated to neighboring organizations, including a school, church, and local indigenous community group. (AMR)