Carbon stewardship as a guiding principle for the chemical industry

Most chemicals and plastics are inherently carbon-based. Thus, when it comes to transformation of the chemical and plastics industry, the term ‘defossilization’ is much more accurate than ‘decarbonization’. Instead of replacing carbon, we need to manage it: where it comes from and where it ends up. With that, the embedded carbon becomes a limited and thus valuable resource that needs someone to take care of: a carbon steward.

This white paper serves as a starting point for a more comprehensive dialogue and action-driven approach on carbon stewardship among industry, feedstock providers, policymakers, science and society. We present the opportunities, challenges and invention points for a chemical industry implementing carbon stewardship.

Download this whitepaper to learn about the challenges and enablers for the chemical industry as a carbon steward:

• Both circular and renewable carbon are needed to unlock the transition of the chemical industry to a net-zero system

• Collaboration with biomass producers and ensuring sourcing criteria will improve the sustainability performance of biobased polymers and chemicals

• Reducing end-of-life emissions is an underestimated pillar of a carbon neutral chemical industry

• A full cradle-to-grave life cycle analysis highlights the favourable climate impact of chemicals and plastics based on renewable carbon

• A common terminology will help to communicate the benefits of a transformed chemical industry

Neste and Systemiq invite companies along the plastics value chain to collaborate and to join us on this journey. Together, we can make a change. Together, we can become carbon stewards.