Borealis has become one of the first plastics producers to have been granted Operation Clean Sweep certification, the company announced 11 Jan. After extensive third-party audits according to the Operation Clean Sweep standard in December 2023, two of its key sites in Belgium, Kallo and Antwerp, successfully achieved certification. Borealis said it aimed to have all of its polyolefin locations Operation Clean Sweep certified by the end of 2024.
The Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) harmonised European certification scheme, operational since February 2023 but officially launched in October of that year, 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 was among the first signatories to the European OCS initiative, which was rolled out in 2015 by Plastics Europe, the pan-European association of plastics manufacturers. The OCS programme is founded on the premise that pellet containment can only be successful when the entire value chain makes an effort: from primary producers to converters, distributors, logistics partners, and recyclers. At the end of 2021, the company subsequently also became the first to carry out successful pilot audits at the two production operations in Belgium to help test pellet loss prevention standards, In this way, Borealis substantially contributed to the development of the next evolution of the international OCS programme, the Operation Clean Sweep Standard, dedicated to preventing the loss of plastic pellets during manufacturing, transportation and final conversion processes.
Borealis has implemented all requirements to fully comply with the Operation Clean Sweep Standard and consequently put in place a comprehensive set of on-site measures aimed at preventing and responding to pellet spills. This proactive approach is designed to test and refine processes to ensure that the company’s operations meet the highest standards of pellet containment and prevent any unintentional release into the environment.
"Receiving the Operation Clean Sweep Certificate is a testament to our ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and emphasises our purpose of re-inventing essentials for sustainable living,” said Thomas Gangl, CEO at Borealis. “The Operation Clean Sweep Certificate serves as a benchmark for our ongoing efforts to build a prosperous and sustainable future for all.”