After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Bill Garmier returned to Ohio with nothing but starting a family farm on his mind. For years, his family would plant and harvest corn and soybeans, but when the market began to change Garmier knew he needed to find an additional source of revenue to sustain the business. In 1991, he established Renewable Lubricants, Inc. 

Located in Hartville, Ohio, Renewable Lubricants got its start as a research and development company. Its goal was to create bio-based products that replace conventional petroleum products that are damaging to the environment. 

Renewable Lubricants now produces over 250 environmentally responsible, biodegradable, food grade lubricants that are shipped through out the United States. They also hold more than 180 patents worldwide. Some of the products produced are for marine, train, and auto and diesel use. Additionally, the products produced are food grade, eliminating the use of unhealthy lubricants around food sources.

As an environmentally friendly company, they decided to do more by making energy improvements to their processes. That's when Bill's daughter, Jackie Garmier, reached out to Ohio Business Program Specialist Randy Monhemius to apply for a Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant to help them purchase solar panels.  

"Adding another level of sustainability was important to us." said Garmier. "The solar panel installation allows us to use green, clean, and sustainable energy in our daily operations."  

Renewable Lubricants received a $47,862 grant. With a contribution of $150,538, they are able to install a 79.2 kilowatt roof mounted solar array. The array replaces 65 percent of their energy consumption, and saves the company $10,611 per year. This is money they can invest back into the research and development of new bio-based products. 

"Renewable Lubricants now produces over 250 environmentally responsible, biodegradable, food grade lubricants that are shipped through out the United States."

Learn more about REAP or the BioPreferred Program.