CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT, PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES
businesswire | March 24, 2023
Under its sustainability program ‘reduce’, the global chemical company OQ Chemicals has reduced its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 10% at its Bay City, Texas production site in 2022, compared to the previous year's averages. To achieve this, the company carried out a dedicated boiler and flare improvement project to optimize the flow of vent gases from chemical production units and to further improve the combustion process. Project progress was tracked for 2022, and demonstrated improved production process stability and subsequently reduced emissions.
“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to addressing the urgent issue of climate change. OQ Chemicals has made a significant contribution to this global effort by reducing its emissions at Bay City by 10%. This success was made possible through the excellent collaboration of our dedicated teams from the Engineering and Operations departments. The project aimed to improve boiler controls, enabling increased consumption of vent gases for energy recovery and reduced flaring, and included equipment improvements in the utilities area,” said Kevin Hunt, OQ Chemicals Director of Maintenance and Technical at Bay City, Texas.
OQ Chemicals’ company-wide strategic program ‘reduce’ aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next years, with the ultimate goal of becoming climate neutral by mid-century. The boiler and flare improvement project falls under Scope 1, which encompasses direct emissions from production activities. With the reduce program, OQ Chemicals tackles all scopes of emissions, including indirect Scope 2 and all relevant Scope 3 emissions.
“Our ‘reduce’ program takes a comprehensive approach that will eventually cover all scopes of our greenhouse gas emissions, as we’re committed to reducing our carbon footprint across all aspects of our operations. While the ‘reduce’ program currently comprises over 200 projects and initiatives with short-, mid- and long-term goals, the success of the boiler and flare improvement project marks a significant milestone on the path of our sustainability approach,” commented OQ Chemicals CEO, Dr. Oliver Borgmeier.
About OQ Chemicals
OQ Chemicals is a global manufacturer of Oxo Intermediates and Oxo Performance Chemicals such as alcohols, polyols, carboxylic acids, specialty esters, and amines. These are used to produce high-quality coatings, lubricants, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, flavors and fragrances, printing inks, and plastics. OQ Chemicals employs more than 1,400 people worldwide and markets its chemicals in more than 60 countries. The company is part of OQ, an integrated energy company originating in Oman.
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CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT, MARKET OUTLOOK
Globenewswire | March 23, 2023
NOVA Chemicals Corporation announced sector-leading ESG ambitions to drive the circular economy for plastics, in line with its vision to become the leading sustainable polyethylene producer in North America.
By 2030, the company aims to
Set new industry standards for driving the transition to the plastics circular economy and solidifying the market for recycled polyethylene, with 30 per cent of its polyethylene sales[i] from recycled contet;
Be at the forefront of decarbonization by reducing its Scope 1 and 2 absoute CO2 emissions by 30 per cent[ii]; and
Become a Top 30 company in Canada.
Outlined in NOVA 2030: Our Roadmap to Sustainability Leadership, NOVA Chemicals has also shared its aspiration to reach net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050.
“NOVA’s Roadmap to Sustainability Leadership details a strong plan forward for the company to become the leader in sustainable polyethylene production while building on our commitments to developing innovative solutions for our customers, enabling the circular economy, and being a responsible steward of our environment,” stated Danny Dweik, CEO. “Plastic products play an essential role in our daily lives. With our renewed purpose of reshaping plastics for a better, more sustainable world, we have developed a clear pathway to become a catalyst for a low carbon, zero-plastic-waste future.”
To achieve these aspirations, NOVA Chemicals anticipates investing between USD$2-4 billion by 2030 to expand its sustainable product offerings, decarbonize assets, and build a state-of-the-art mechanical recycling business while exploring new advanced recycling technologies to create high-quality, high-performance recyclable and low carbon plastics.
Building on its proprietary, Advanced SCLAIRTECHTM technology, NOVA Chemicals will explore expanding its product portfolio to include the development of innovative, advanced materials. These new product offerings, which will include the company’s first ASTUTE™ polyolefin plastomers line, will better serve existing customers and provide more options for sustainability-focused end markets such as electric vehicles and renewables.
NOVA Chemicals has already begun growing its portfolio of recycled and recyclable polyethylene resins through its recently announced launch of SYNDIGO™ recycled polyethylene, a new portfolio of products made from circular polymers to encourage both waste and emissions reductions.
The company’s 2030 aspirations are shorter-term objectives that will help NOVA Chemicals reach its ultimate goal of achieving net-zero Scope 1 and 2 absolute CO2 emissions by 2050. NOVA Chemicals has developed a technical solutions-focused roadmap for decarbonizing its asset base by improving energy efficiencies, electrifying and acquiring renewable power, and exploring clean hydrogen as a low carbon fuel source and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage. The company will also continue to pursue new technologies to abate and eliminate emissions from its production processes, such as the development of its proprietary Low Emissions Ethylene Process technology.
The company has also announced a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Shell Energy for renewable power, marking the first of many opportunities to increase low carbon, renewable energy in its power portfolio.
Today’s announcement builds upon NOVA Chemicals’ long-standing commitment to developing innovative solutions for its customers while enabling the circular economy and preparing for and responding to a changing world. NOVA’s approach to managing its material ESG topics including Responsible Care® and its commitment to the environment, health, and safety, can be found in its annual ESG report.
About NOVA Chemicals Corporation
NOVA Chemicals aspires to be the leading sustainable polyethylene producer in North America. Our driving purpose is to reshape plastics for a better, more sustainable world by delivering innovative solutions that help make everyday life healthier and safer and acting as a catalyst for a low carbon, zero-plastic-waste future. NOVA Chemicals’ innovative and quality product offerings, value chain collaboration, and unique customer experience is what sets us apart; our customers use our products to create easy-to-recycle and recycled content films, packaging, and products.
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CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT
Cabot Corporation | March 06, 2023
Cabot Corporation has introduced E2C™ DX9660, an innovative solution that offers enhanced rubber durability and high abrasion resistance. This new product provides a 30% increase in abrasion resistance compared to traditional compounds, expanding Cabot's portfolio of E2C solutions for on-road commercial tire and industrial rubber product applications. Cabot has also completed its first-ever life cycle assessment (LCA) of an E2C solution in an on-road truck tire application, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
The rubber industry is under pressure to reduce environmental impact and increase sustainability benefits throughout the lifecycle of its products. This has resulted in global demand for solutions that increase raw material efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize end-of-life product waste. Cabot Corporation's E2C solutions offer pre-mixed composites that maximize the performance of primary raw materials, resulting in significant reductions in net emissions from end products. These solutions can also reduce Scope 2 GHG emissions during tire and rubber production.
Cabot's newly launched DX9660 product complements its E2C™ DX9640 solution. The DX9640 solution reduces energy loss, a significant factor in rolling resistance while providing excellent abrasion resistance. In a recent on-road tire test, the DX9640 decreased rolling resistance by more than 10% and increased tire tread durability by 12% compared to standard compounds. By reducing energy loss and increasing tire tread life, the DX9640 solution can help reduce fuel consumption in vehicle fleets, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing the amount of end-of-life tire waste.
Cabot Corporation's commitment to sustainability has led them to complete a life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impact of their E2C solutions in commercial tire treads. The assessment showed that their E2C DX9640 solution could significantly reduce emissions and environmental impacts. Key findings from the LCA include up to a 6% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through lower rolling resistance and an over 10% decrease in net emissions from tire production due to more excellent tire durability.
About Cabot Corporation
Cabot Corporation is a worldwide specialty chemicals and performance materials company based in Boston, Massachusetts. It offers a diverse range of products and solutions that cater to industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and healthcare. Cabot operates in more than 20 countries and employs over 3,000 people worldwide. Its focus is on creating value for stakeholders while reducing environmental impact. The company is committed to sustainability and invests in innovative solutions to drive long-term growth. It has a strong reputation for quality and innovation in its field and continues to expand its capabilities.
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