Borealis announces that it has carried out pilot audits at two production operations in Belgium to help test pellet loss prevention standards. The audits are the first to have been undertaken by a polyolefins producer for Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS), a global initiative dedicated to preventing pellet loss. This industry-led programme is currently establishing unified and equitable certification scheme for pellet handlers across the entire value chain. Successful pilot audits at Borealis are an important step in finalising the OCS certification programme, whose pan-European deployment is planned for 2022.
Preventing pellet loss by keeping pellets in the loop ensures that they do not end up in environments in which they do not belong, such as rivers and oceans, and from which they are difficult to extract. Valuable raw materials which are meant to be converted into useful products are in fact wasted when plastic pellets are released unintentionally during production, conversion, transportation, reclamation, or disposal. Because prevention is the most efficient way to combat pellet loss and the problem of microplastics, Borealis continues to intensify its efforts to achieve zero pellet loss in and around its operations.
Borealis was among the first signatories to the European OCS, which was rolled out in 2015 by PlasticsEurope, the pan-European association of plastics manufacturers. The OSC programme is founded on the premise that pellet containment can only be successful when the entire value chain makes an effort: from primary producers to converters, distributors, logistics partners, and recyclers.
In January of this year, PlasticsEurope, the pan-European association of plastics manufacturers and EuPC (European Plastics Converters), a leading trade association representing plastics converters, signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of a new certification system in which audits by accredited third parties are used to establish compliance with OCS requirements. Borealis was the first plastics producer to pilot the certification scheme. The pilot audits carried out at Borealis facilities in September mark the next step in establishing harmonised and equitable certification scheme for all members of the value chain. Finalisation of the certification programme is now underway, with deployment across Europe planned for 2022.
As part of its ongoing commitment to OCS, Borealis has implemented a range of on-site measures to prevent and address pellet loss should it occur, for example by installing retention measures like sieves, pellet separators, and skimmer ponds. A recent EUR 6 million investment in an innovative water filtering system at Borealis productions in Schwechat, Austria, uses a custom-built solution to reduce the risk of pellet loss. It is just one example of how Borealis works with university research institutions to identify and employ the best available technologies for pellet retention.
Borealis is also extending its awareness-raising activities on behalf of zero pellet loss, which are currently directed at its customers and distributors, to embrace other value chain partners such as compounders as well as container and silo cleaners.
“Our first priority as an industry must be to prevent plastics leaking into the environment. The only way to tackle this problem is for the plastics value chain to work together on a global scale to achieve zero pellet loss,” says Borealis CEO Thomas Gangl. “We believe that the Operation Clean Sweep® initiative offers one of the most effective and efficient solutions to the problem. As a virgin plastics producer and recycler, we are proud to be able to demonstrate our deep-seated commitment to this programme by contributing to the certification process.”
END
Media contact:
Virginia Wieser
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Brand & Reputation
Tel.: +43 1 22 400 772 (Vienna, Austria)
E-Mail: Virginia.Wieser@borealisgroup.com
Borealis is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced and circular polyolefin solutions and a European market leader in base chemicals, fertilizers and the mechanical recycling of plastics. We leverage our polymers expertise and decades of experience to offer value adding, innovative and circular material solutions for key industries. In re-inventing for more sustainable living, we build on our commitment to safety, our people and excellence as we accelerate the transformation to a circular economy and expand our geographical footprint.
With head offices in Vienna, Austria, Borealis employs 6,900 employees and operates in over 120 countries. In 2020, Borealis generated EUR 6.8 billion in sales revenue and a net profit of EUR 589 million. OMV, the Austria-based international oil and gas company, owns 75% of Borealis, while the remaining 25% is owned by a holding company of the Abu-Dhabi based Mubadala. We supply services and products to customers around the globe through Borealis and two important joint ventures: Borouge (with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or ADNOC, based in UAE); and Baystar™ (with TotalEnergies, based in the US).
Further information:
www.borealisgroup.com
www.borealiseverminds.com
www.opcleansweep.org
Thank you for understanding that we are only able to respond to media enquiries. For all other inquiries, please reach out to us via these contact forms.
Media representatives can reach our media desk during work days in Austria between 8:30 a.m. and 17:00 p.m. (CET) via email or telephone.
High-resolution images and videos are available for download in our media gallery.
Group Media Desk
+43 1 22 400 899 (Vienna, Austria)
