Brightsite, the knowledge centre committed to achieving a sustainable, competitive chemical industry, today published the second edition of the Brightsite Transition Outlook. This comprehensive analysase provides insights into the raw material transition of the Dutch chemical sector and the challenges involved.
BTO 2023 shows that the transition to a climate-neutral industry will be accompanied by scarcity: scarcity of green energy, of green raw materials (carbon) and of industrial water. Whereas so far the energy transition has been the focus of attention, the raw material transition is now the central issue. Here, the BTO provides a (modelling) tool and tools to navigate through this scarcity and make optimal choices.
The Brightsite Transition Outlook presents the findings of a fictitious industrial complex CHEM-NL, which produces the total production volume of ethylene and ammonia in the Netherlands now and in 2050. The report outlines the route to net zero emissions in 2050 and highlights the issues and bottlenecks that need to be overcome to obtain sustainable feedstocks and energy sources.
According to Arnold Stokking, Managing Director, and RenĂ© Slaghek, Technology Manager of Brightsite, the feedstock transition for the chemical industry is an essential part of a broader societal system transition. “This transition affects society. Only by acting together: industry, governments and citizens, can this transition be a success,” they stress.
The Brightsite Transition Outlook offers key findings and recommendations for the chemical industry and policymakers. Some conclusions from the Outlook:
- The feedstock transition is leading to scarcity of available renewable raw materials, making efficient use essential. Here, the development of recycling and circularity of plastic waste is the highest priority.
- The use of renewable raw materials significantly increases the need for CO2-free energy, which calls for a rational approach to raw material selection and development.
- New technologies, such as electrification and gasification, and new raw materials also offer opportunities for the production of chemicals and new biopolymers.
- The sustainable use of water in the chemical industry is essential and should be integrated into the transition.
The Brightsite Transition Outlook is intended for companies, knowledge institutions, policy makers and supporting agencies that are jointly shaping the feedstock transition for chemistry. Based on scientific models and cases, the Outlook provides valuable insights for a sustainable and circular economy.
Because of the urgency of the topic, a Brightsite team led by Arnold Stokking will engage in discussions and gather insights from various regional industry tables over the coming months. Brightsite is picking this up in collaboration with Green Chemistry, New Economy (GCNE) , as from this multiregional platform we are working together to systematically monitor impact on greening chemistry.
Would you also like to exchange views with us? For appointments to this end, as well as for questions or other requests for information, please contact Noelle Brouns, at noelle.brouns@sitech.nl.