The company achieved this reduction by using renewable or low carbon energy sources and by making several energy efficiency improvements in its production sites.
According to Arkema, it represents an improvement of around 70% relative to traditional polyamide resins using fossil-based raw materials and conventional energy sources.
Derived from renewable castor seeds, Rilsan polyamide 11 is segregated bio-based. Furthermore, the amino 11 monomer and the downstream polymers are produced using a proportion of low carbon and renewable energy – both in terms of electricity and combustible fuels.
Arkema thus recently announced a biomethane supply agreement with Engie in France, and carried out several energy efficiency improvements in its polyamide 11 chain production sites over the last year.
Erwoan Pezron, senior vice president at Arkema’s High Performance Polymers, said: “This is an important step for our customers and the markets we serve. The lower carbon footprint we announce today applies to our entire global production, not just a particular set of grades or a certain location. This allows our customers to deliver on their commitment to decarbonize and to develop more sustainable products at scale. Furthermore, we have a strong action plan in place to further decarbonize this range, with a 2030 target to reduce the carbon footprint by a further 50%. Our objective is to continue to offer our customers high-performance materials with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the market.”
