A powerhouse duo on the green front

That assessment was echoed by Aman Desouza, director of innovation and sustainability at CertainTeed.

In recent years, the company has worked to develop more environmentally sensitive, higher-performing products to meet consumers' green demands. That effort yielded the new EnerGen solar system that CertainTeed will debut next week in Las Vegas.

The system consists of lightweight, thin-film photovoltaic laminates that integrate with roofing shingles, and its installation does not require asphalt-rooftop penetration, as traditional solar panels do.

Though expanding the company's line of sustainable products is important to CertainTeed, so is improving its commitment to operating more efficiently and at minimal impact to the environment, Desouza said. It has been working with a consultant, Sustainable Solutions Corp., of Royersford, to find ways to do so.

There is a degree of vindication in that, Desouza said, since Wal-Mart is making sustainability such a priority for itself and the companies it does business with.

"The more companies like Wal-Mart start doing things like that . . . the easier it becomes for everyone."

Contact staff writer Diane Mastrull at 215-854-2466 or dmastrull@phillynews.com.