SABIC launches certified low carbon chemicals with CO2 footprint savings

The first product in the portfolio will be methanol from SABIC’s Chemicals business.

The methanol product in the new portfolio contains a lower carbon content than a traditional portfolio, with the same product specifications. Its lower carbon footprint is due to the raw material used for production: by-product CO₂ is captured from upstream processes (carbon capture and utilisation - CCU), providing a valuable source of carbon needed to manufacture the methanol, while reducing usage of traditional feedstocks. As the captured CO₂ is utilised as a raw material, the new product can enable Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) savings.

Certified low carbon methanol is being manufactured at SABIC’s Joint Ventures’ (JV) methanol production sites. It is typically used in maritime fuel, as resins for laminate flooring and furniture panels and acrylic sheets.

More certified low carbon products in SABIC’s global portfolios will be rolled out across the company’s worldwide asset base.

“It is evident that the petrochemical industry plays a pivotal role in shaping a resilient and sustainable future. With the increasing demand for innovative materials and sustainable practices, the industry stands at the forefront of transformative trends towards carbon neutrality and a circular carbon economy,” said Olivier Thorel, EVP Chemicals at SABIC.

SABIC worked together with independent third parties to drive the development of the new ISCC Carbon Footprint Certification (CFC) module and execute a pilot audit for the certification at SABIC’s JVs methanol production sites. CFC module has been developed for the certification of product carbon footprints for various products and value chains. The model will make it possible to link sustainability certifications and mass balancing along complex value chains.

“SABIC is advancing technologies to support its value chains in carbon footprint reduction, including electrification, hydrogen combustion, renewable energy, as well as carbon capture, utilisation and storage. High-concentrated CO₂ produced as a by-product can then be used as an alternative feedstock to make new products. This CCU project, which converts captured CO₂ into low carbon methanol and its derivatives, is a great enabler to reduce the embedded carbon emissions in the value chains of SABIC and its customers.”, said Dr. Fahad Al Sherehy, VP Corporate Sustainability at SABIC.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/30092024/sabic-launches-certified-low-carbon-chemicals-with-co2-footprint-savings/