Syensqo, a spin-off from chemicals company Solvay, has achieved carbon neutrality at its polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) compounding operations in Kallo-Beveren, Belgium.
The facility is now running on 100% renewable energy, which covers the complete decarbonisation of the plant regarding direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) emissions under the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.
Scope 1 refers to direct emissions from in-house production processes, and Scope 2 to indirect emissions from purchased energy. Reaching net zero would require the plant to decarbonise Scope 3 emissions, which refer to all other indirect emissions in the value chain, such as raw material supplies, packaging, and transportation.
“Using renewable energy to power our compounding operations at Kallo-Beveren is a first step in Syensqo’s global commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040,” said Johan Van Vlierberghe, Kallo-Beveren site manager at Syensqo.
The mass balance PPS polymers produced at the ISCC Plus-certified Beveren facility belong to Solvay’s Ryton portfolio. The compounds are widely used in automotive, electrical, electronics, and appliances applications, where they meet especially high thermal and mechanical performance requirements. The material can replace metal and thermosets whilst also reducing fuel consumption and overall costs.
The use of renewable energy in compounding also reduces the overall carbon footprint of Ryton PPS compounds.