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.
Read More
CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT, PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES
M. HOLLAND | March 17, 2023
M. Holland Company, a leading international distributor of thermoplastic resins and ancillary materials, today announced a new partnership with Lavergne, a global manufacturer specializing in the formulation of customized compounded engineered resins, to distribute post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins. This partnership will allow M. Holland’s clients to access Lavergne’s certified PCR resins with increased supply chain security and pricing stability.
“Sustainability is a primary focus for the plastics industry, and the demand for PCR resins has accelerated in recent years,” said Samantha Stone, Global Sourcing Leader, Sustainability, at M. Holland. “Lavergne produces superior, renewed thermoplastic resins that we’re proud to offer our customers. Our partnership with Lavergne will help meet the demand for PCR resins for our clients in North America, where there is currently no viable solution. M. Holland’s customers should also benefit from more stable pricing because Lavergne’s portfolio is 100% recycled plastics and does not depend on shifting petroleum prices.”
PCR resins are a growing product segment that complements traditional petroleum-based resins. There is burgeoning demand for PCR resins to meet the needs of brand owners and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), many of whom have set aggressive sustainability goals. Demand is growing across several durable goods segments, including automotive, consumer electronics, home appliances, and office furniture and supplies. M. Holland’s customers can be confident in the quality of resins produced by Lavergne, which has 35 years of experience in the plastics industry.
“With a shared vision for sustainability, establishing a partnership with M. Holland was an easy decision,” said Benoit Bessette, Vice President, Strategy and Planning, at Lavergne. “We look forward to working with M. Holland and educating the market on the necessary transition to PCR resins by supplying trusted and cost-effective, sustainable materials, while drastically reducing their carbon footprint.”
Lavergne is an industry leader in the advancement of engineered thermoplastics focusing on designing, developing and manufacturing high-value sustainable resins using 100% PCR plastics. It has manufacturing sites in Montreal, Belgium, Vietnam and Haiti, providing supply chain security, high-quality certified materials and stable pricing for M. Holland’s customers.
ABOUT M. HOLLAND
M. Holland is a leading international distributor of thermoplastic resins, providing suppliers with the most strategic channels to market, offering clients innovative sourcing and supply chain solutions, delivering materials that empower sustainable innovation, and helping people lead rewarding careers. Since 1950, a deep commitment to personal relationships and innovation has formed the core of the company’s heritage, culture and vision. Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, M. Holland has over $1.5 billion in annual sales, partners with more than 4,000 customers annually, and serves over 70 countries across North America, LATAM, EMEA and Asia. M. Holland has offices located in the U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Netherlands.
Read More
CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT, PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES
PureCycle Technologies | March 21, 2023
PureCycle Technologies and Mitsui & Co. Ltd. announced a signed heads of agreement (HOA) to develop and operate a polypropylene (PP) recycling plant in Japan. Mitsui is a global trading and investment company with a diversified business portfolio based in Tokyo. In September of 2021, the two sides announced a signed memorandum of understanding.
The two sides are targeting completion of a plant in 2026. The first plant is designed to transform PP waste into an ultra-pure recycled resin and expected to have an annual capacity of 59,000 metric tons.
PureCycle CEO Dustin Olson said, "We need strong global partners like Mitsui to solve the global plastic waste crisis. This HOA is a major step forward in the process of bringing a true circular solution to Japan for polypropylene plastic waste. The final options for site locations are located between major population and industrial centers, so we can optimize supply chain activities for both feed and product. We believe this site will become a strategic sustainable supply location for critical Japanese industries like automotive, electronics, and consumer product companies."
PureCycle uses a patented technology that can remove virtually all contaminants, colors and odors from polypropylene plastic waste and transform it into an ultra-pure plastic resin that can be used multiple times.
Chief Operating Officer of the Performance Materials Business Unit at Mitsui Hiroshi Kakiuchi commented, "Mitsui has identified 'sustainability management and the evolution of ESG' as key areas of its Corporate Strategy. Through this new joint project with PureCycle, Mitsui aims to contribute to the overall reduction of plastic waste and the establishment of a circular economy in Japan. By securing plastic waste as the raw material, manufacturing recycled polypropylene resin, and expanding the applications of the material for consumer goods, food containers and automobile interiors, Mitsui aims to make a significant contribution to the creation of the more sustainable society."
This is the latest example of PureCycle's global-growth strategy. Earlier this year, the company announced the site of its first polypropylene recycling facility in Europe at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges' Next Gen District in Belgium. PureCycle's first PP recycling plant in Asia is planned to open in 2025 in South Korea.
About PureCycle Technologies
PureCycle Technologies LLC., a subsidiary of PureCycle Technologies, Inc., holds a global license for the only patented solvent-driven purification recycling technology, developed by The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), that is designed to transforms polypropylene plastic waste (designated as No. 5 plastic) into a continuously renewable resource. The unique purification process removes color, odor, and other impurities from No. 5 plastic waste resulting in an ultra-pure recycled (UPR) plastic that can be recycled and reused multiple times, changing our relationship with plastic.
Read More