Borealis has achieved Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) certification for all its polyolefin production sites.
The milestone was years in the making. The Austria-based plastic producer was one of the first companies to sign the OCS pledge when it was introduced to Europe on a voluntary basis in 2014.
The harmonised European certification scheme has been operational since October 2023. It has created harmonised processes and procedures for controlling and documenting pellet loss across the entire plastics supply chain.
Plastic pellets, or nurdles, are small pre-production plastic particles that, if improperly managed, can contribute to water pollution and harm aquatic and marine life. The OCS programme provides industry-specific guidelines and best practices to ensure the proper handling and containment of plastic pellets, ultimately minimising the risk of environmental impact.
The certification scheme was developed with guidance, and under the supervision, of a multi-stakeholder committee composed of policymakers, certification bodies, industry, and with additional recommendations provided through a public consultation. The scheme aligns with the measures proposed by the European Commission in October 2023 to reduce microplastic pollution from pellets - the first EU instruments designed to tackle microplastic pollution at source.
Borealis integrated the OCS standard into its management system and has now implemented it across all its polyolefin locations. Its Belgian production sites Kallo and Antwerp were amongst the first in the world to pilot-test and achieve full certification by the end of 2023.
“Our proactive approach to Zero Pellet Loss has not only prepared us for upcoming regulations, but has also positioned Borealis as a role model and driver of change in the European plastics value chain,” said Wolfram Krenn, Borealis executive vice president operations. “I am very proud of our dedicated team that continues to reinvent essentials for sustainable living.”