Borealis announces that two of its key sites in Belgium, Kallo and Antwerp, have been certified by Operation Clean Sweep®, an international initiative aimed at preventing pellet loss. After extensive third-party audits according to the Operation Clean Sweep® Standard in December 2023, both locations achieved the Operation Clean Sweep® Certificate, a unified and equitable certification scheme for pellet handlers across the entire value chain. This recognition comes after contributing to the development of the Operation Clean Sweep® Standard via a successful pilot audit in 2021 and underscores the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible business practices.
The Operation Clean Sweep® Standard is the next evolution of an international program dedicated to preventing the loss of plastic pellets during manufacturing, transportation and final conversion processes. Plastic pellets, also known as nurdles, are small pre-production plastic particles that, if improperly managed, can contribute to water pollution and harm aquatic/marine life. The program provides industry-specific guidelines and best practices to ensure the proper handling and containment of plastic pellets, ultimately minimizing the risk of environmental impact.
As part of its unwavering commitment to Operation Clean Sweep®, Borealis has implemented all requirements to fully comply with the Operation Clean Sweep® Standard and consequently put in place a comprehensive set of on-site measures aimed at preventing and responding to pellet spills, should they occur. Notable initiatives include the installation of big and small preventive measures to keep pellets in their designated systems as well as retention measures such as screens, pellet separators, and skimmers at various operating sites. These measures are consistent with the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and ensure that plastic pellets are contained within the facilities. Borealis’ proactive approach is designed to test and refine processes to ensure that the company’s operations meet the highest standards of pellet containment and prevent any unintentional release into the environment. Borealis aims to have all of its polyolefin locations Operation Clean Sweep® certified by the end of 2024.
"Receiving the Operation Clean Sweep® Certificate is a testament to our ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and emphasizes our purpose of re-inventing essentials for sustainable living. By actively participating in initiatives such as Operation Clean Sweep®, Borealis continues to research and implement innovative solutions to reduce its environmental footprint across all its operations. The Operation Clean Sweep® Certificate serves as a benchmark for our ongoing efforts to build a prosperous and sustainable future for all," says Thomas Gangl, Borealis CEO.
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About Borealis
Borealis is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced and sustainable polyolefin solutions. In Europe, Borealis is also an innovative leader in polyolefins recycling and a major producer of base chemicals. We leverage our polymer expertise and decades of experience to offer value-adding, innovative and circular material solutions for key industries such as consumer products, energy, healthcare, infrastructure and mobility.
With operations in over 120 countries and head offices in Vienna, Austria, Borealis employs around 6,000 people. In 2022, we generated a net profit of EUR 2.1 billion. OMV, the Austria-based international energy, fuels & feedstock and chemicals & materials company, owns 75% of our shares. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), owns the remaining 25%.
In re-inventing essentials for sustainable living, we build on our commitment to safety, our people, innovation and technology, and performance excellence. We are accelerating the transformation to a circular economy of polyolefins and expanding our geographical footprint to better serve our customers around the globe. Our operations are augmented by two important joint ventures: Borouge (with ADNOC, headquartered in the UAE); and Baystar™ (with TotalEnergies, based in the US).
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