Leverkusen, Germany – Covestro and Lanxess are co-operating to make the energy-intensive production of basic chemicals more climate-friendly. Under this co-operation, Lanxess will procure chlorine, caustic soda, and hydrogen, from Covestro’s ISCC PLUS-certified plants in Leverkusen and Krefeld-Uerdingen. As of today, one-third of the product supplied to Lanxess from Covestro’s North-Rhine Westphalia plants will be produced using certificated hydro-electric power.
Chlorine, caustic soda and hydrogen are basic building blocks for many products in the chemical industry – with chlorine being fundamental to the production of most isocyanates. But production of these chemicals is a highly energy-intensive process.
Covestro CTO, Dr Klaus Schäfer, said: "Covestro is pursuing the goal of completely converting its production to electricity from renewable sources on its path to operational climate neutrality in 2035. A particular focus is on the energy-intensive production of basic raw materials. In cooperation with Lanxess, we use energy in our electrolysis plants in North Rhine-Westphalia on a pro-rata basis, which enables us to reduce our reported emissions by up to 120kt of CO2 per year.
Dr Hubert Fink, from Lanxess’s management board, said: "The joint project with Covestro is an important building block in making our entire value chain climate-neutral. By sourcing raw materials for these products with a significantly reduced carbon footprint, we will be able to reduce our reported indirect emissions."
Under its Net Zero Value Chain initiative, Lanxess plans to eliminate Scope 3 emissions – including indirect emissions from purchased materials, logistics, and disposal – within its upstream and downstream supply chain by 2050. And it has a more ambitious timescale for reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions, with the aim to be climate neutral by 2040.
Fink said: "With this programme, we are taking the next step towards a climate-neutral product portfolio and also supporting our customers, who are increasingly looking for sustainable solutions.”
Covestro’s Leverkusen and Krefeld-Uerdingen plants are already ISCC PLUS certified for the production of chlorine. Additionally, the company plans to certify its Dormagen site in the near future.
