Lubrizol, a specialty chemical company that produces engineered polymers for various industries, has announced that three more of its sites have achieved the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certification. This certification is a globally recognized standard for sustainable supply chains, which allows companies to track and attribute environmentally friendly raw materials along the entire value chain.
The three sites that have obtained this certification are Lubrizol Advanced Materials’ headquarters in Brecksville, Ohio, and the production plants in Avon Lake, Ohio, and Oevel, Belgium. These sites join the Lubrizol facility in Songjiang, China, which was certified in 2022. With this achievement, Lubrizol can offer its customers a wider range of sustainable solutions, especially for its ESTANE® TPU product line, which can be used in footwear, electronics, and industrial applications.
What is ISCC PLUS and why is it important?
ISCC PLUS is an international certification system that covers all kinds of biomass and bio-based materials, such as plastics, chemicals, and fuels. It is based on four principles: sustainability, traceability, greenhouse gas emissions, and social responsibility. ISCC PLUS ensures that the raw materials used in the production process are sourced from sustainable and ethical sources, and that the greenhouse gas emissions are reduced along the entire value chain. ISCC PLUS also requires transparent record-keeping and third-party audits to verify the compliance of the certified products.
ISCC PLUS is important because it helps companies to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and to meet the increasing demand from consumers and regulators for more eco-friendly products. By obtaining ISCC PLUS certification, companies can also benefit from improved market access, reduced risks, and enhanced reputation.
How does Lubrizol use ISCC PLUS to create sustainable solutions?
Lubrizol uses the mass balance approach to create sustainable solutions with ISCC PLUS certification. The mass balance approach is a method that allows companies to mix bio-based or renewable materials with fossil-based materials in the same production process, while keeping track of the amount and origin of each material. The mass balance approach does not require any changes in the production process or the final product properties, but it enables a gradual transition to more sustainable sources of raw materials.
Lubrizol applies the mass balance approach to its ESTANE® TPU product line, which is a versatile and high-performance polymer that can be used in various applications. By using bio-based or renewable materials in the production of ESTANE® TPU, Lubrizol can reduce the product carbon footprint (PCF) of its final products, which is a measure of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the product life cycle. Lubrizol also offers ESTANE® RNW TPU solutions, which are made from recycled materials and have a lower PCF than conventional TPU.
Lubrizol provides its customers with certificates and labels that indicate the amount and origin of the bio-based or renewable materials used in the production of the certified products. Lubrizol also supports its customers with technical and regulatory guidance to help them use the certified products in their own applications.
What are the benefits of Lubrizol’s sustainable solutions for customers and end-users?
Lubrizol’s sustainable solutions with ISCC PLUS certification offer several benefits for customers and end-users, such as:
- Performance: Lubrizol’s sustainable solutions have the same high-quality and performance as its conventional products, and can meet the specific requirements of different applications and markets.
- Innovation: Lubrizol’s sustainable solutions enable customers to create innovative products that differentiate themselves from the competition and appeal to the eco-conscious consumers.
- Sustainability: Lubrizol’s sustainable solutions help customers to reduce their environmental impact and to contribute to the global goals of climate change mitigation and circular economy.
- Trust: Lubrizol’s sustainable solutions are backed by a credible and transparent certification system that ensures the traceability and sustainability of the raw materials and the products.
What are Lubrizol’s future plans for sustainability?
Lubrizol is committed to advancing its sustainability journey and to creating positive impacts for the environment and society. Lubrizol has set ambitious targets for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and waste generation by 2030. Lubrizol is also working on expanding its portfolio of sustainable solutions, by increasing the use of alternative feedstocks, such as bio-based, renewable, and recycled materials, and by developing new products that enable circularity and resource efficiency. Lubrizol is collaborating with its partners and stakeholders to build alliances and to share best practices for sustainability.
Lubrizol’s vision is to be an essential ingredient in its customers’ success, and to help them create products that improve the quality of life for people around the world. Lubrizol’s sustainable solutions with ISCC PLUS certification are a key part of this vision, as they demonstrate Lubrizol’s science and innovation capabilities, and its dedication to sustainability.
