LEADING THE WAY IN DECARBONISATION

Reaching climate targets will depend on a number of different approaches and solutions working together. One example of this is capturing carbon for re-use. Carbon capture and utilization (CCU), is a key component of the decarbonisation puzzle and SABIC is leading the way.

In 2015, we opened the largest carbon capture and utilization (CCU) plant in the world, at United, a SABIC affiliate. It uses proprietary technology to capture 500,000 metric tons (MT) of CO₂ per year from the production of ethylene glycol that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere, converting it into feedstock for industrial processes. To put things in perspective, over 11 million trees would need to be planted to capture the equivalent amount.

Whilst carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an important topic and technology in the response to climate change, it involves capturing and storing CO₂ underground. Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) however, takes a more pro-active approach. It’s purified and then channelled through a network to other SABIC affiliates, where it‘s used to produce vital elements, such as urea for producing plentiful crop harvests, methanol for producing other common chemicals and liquefied CO₂, which is used widely in the food and drinks industry.

This opportunity to take the CO₂ formed as an inevitable by-product of the ethylene glycol process, creates greater value. Rather than just reducing CO₂ emissions, this compound can be transformed to a benefit, driving value where others only see a liability.

Given some of the challenges that CCS has come up against, including uncertainty over potential storage capacity and public resistance, we believe that all alternative and complementary technologies, including CCU, must be considered if we are to meet ambitious climate change targets in the most sustainable manner.