Ascend Performance Materials has become the first integrated polyamide producer to decarbonize a substantial part of its operations, the company has announced.
Ascend says it has achieved net zero for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions at its seven compounding sites located in North America, Europe and Asia through a mix of process improvements, and renewable energy and carbon offsets. Annually, this achievement is equivalent to eliminating the emissions from 4,000 passenger vehicles.
At these sites, Ascend produces its range of engineered materials used in EVs, batteries, renewable energy systems and countless other applications.
The company has also earned ISCC+ certification for the use of bio-based materials. It can now use bio-based feedstocks to produce acrylonitrile, adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine and polyamide 66 on the basis of a mass-balanced approach. With this certification, Ascend’s PA66 polymer can now be made with up to 40% bio-based materials.
“These milestones are a big step toward ensuring that every pound of our product, whether made in Suzhou or Pensacola is made with the smallest environmental impact possible.” Phil McDivitt, Ascend’s president and CEO.
The present efforts are part of a larger commitment by Ascend to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2030, in support of the UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Development Goals. Toward that goal, the company has invested in emissions abatement technology at its Pensacola, Florida, nylon plant and cogeneration units at its Decatur, Alabama, adiponitrile plant. And 30% of the energy used at Ascend’s acrylonitrile plant in Alvin, Texas, is derived from a utility-scale solar farm through a power purchase agreement.
“Reducing our carbon footprint is a major part of our sustainability effort,” said Chris Johnson, Ascend’s director of sustainability. The company will be showcasing its sustainability efforts, including its low-carbon-footprint products, under its Advancing Together theme at K 2022 from 19-26 October in Hall 6 Stand A07.