Viewpoint on RENEWABLE RAW MATERIALS

About the topic

The use of sustainably sourced renewable raw materials contributes to the EU Green Deal’s sustainability objectives on circularity and climate action as well as to reducing the European Union’s dependency on imported fossil resources. Thereby, the circular bioeconomy increases the resilience and competitiveness of the European industry and fosters innovation.

While the bioeconomy already generates a significant turnover in the EU today (814 bn EUR in 2019), further development of a supportive policy framework is needed to accelerate the transition of the chemical industry: by providing reliable investment conditions, supporting the use of sustainable renewable raw materials and allowing industrial customers as well as consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. Such information may include the distinction between biobased products and feedstock attributed via mass balance for production, both contributing to a reduced usage of fossil raw materials. 

What we offer

The use of renewable raw materials is part of BASF’s strategy to diversify its material basis. The objective is to reduce the uptake of fossil resources and to thereby consequently mitigate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by purchased feedstocks. In 2022, BASF purchased around 1.2 million metric tons of renewable raw materials based on vegetable oils, fats, grains, sugar, and wood. These renewable raw materials are used to produce ingredients for the detergents and cleaning industry, to source natural active ingredients for the cosmetics industry, for pharmaceuticals or to produce additives or plastics for automotive applications or electric cables, for example. These solutions enable significant reductions of a product’s carbon footprint. Furthermore, BASF offers certified compostable bioplastics used for e.g. organic waste collection or agricultural applications.

We commit to sourcing biomass sustainably. Today the major share of renewable raw materials used by BASF is thirdparty certified or waste based. For example, the Palm Commitment sets sustainability standards in the palm and palm kernel oil sourcing industry. In line with the Responsibly Active program we ensure the protection of biodiversity and empowerment of people along our value chains. Furthermore, BASF was the first chemical company offering Rainforest Alliance Certified personal care ingredients based on coconut oil and engaging in sustainable castor oil production. We continuously develop and adapt our sourcing criteria further to ensure the purchase of sustainably grown biomass, which does not negatively impact local food systems and ecosystems.

At BASF, we focus on scaling low-emission production concepts coupled with a sustainability-driven approach to raw material sourcing and supply. Therefore, we establish best practices in assuring the highest level of transparency by applying chain of custody approaches such as the mass balance method. The biomass balance approach allows us to substitute large quantities of fossil raw materials by continuously increasing the shares of renewable raw materials, such as bio-naphtha and/or biomethane, derived from organic waste, crops or vegetable oils feedstock.  Applying third party verification methods, these renewable content shares can be directly attributed to materials or products according to market demand.  Developing solutions for a circular bioeconomy allows us to further increase resource effiency and to shape new material cycles. The bio-derived solutions drive positive economic, social and environmental impact for our customers, partners, employees and communities. 

What we ask for

• Climate neutrality of the chemical industry cannot be achieved without a circular material approach and the use of renewable raw materials. The use of renewable feedstock, alongside recycling, reuse, and renewable energy in the production processes, constitutes an important lever to globally reduce fossil carbon usage directly and indirectly.
• The implementation of the principles of “cascading use” of biomass, will significantly increase the availability of high-quality feedstocks at a competitive cost. This means that the biomass share, which is not needed for food and feed, is first used to produce chemicals and materials instead of using this feedstock as energy source such as fuel. Moreover, recycling and the circular use of raw materials thereby contributes to improving resource efficiency.
• Creating a supportive policy framework setting positive incentives for the use of renewable raw materials would allow the timely conversion of chemical production plants away from fossil raw materials. It would also enable long-term ”net zero” production.
• As BASF we ensure social as much as environmental sustainability as a fundamental element of our production processes and of the value of our products. Therefore, we apply strict sustainability criteria for the material use of biomass. Harmonized sustainability criteria can further contribute to ensuring that local food security in sourcing areas is not at risk for the sake of defossilizing our industry.
• The future regulatory framework needs to acknowledge the mass balance method in regulations, directives, and incentive schemes to drive the uptake of recycled plastic and biomass for material use. Bio-based plastics and polymers are circular by design. They are manufactured using sustainably sourced biomass, are reusable, durable and recyclable (mechanical, chemical or organic recycling). Additionally, it is important to allow flexible rules within mass balance approaches in legislation to facilitate low-hurdle market entry for all players.
• The efficient use of renewable raw materials is part of the chemical industry’s transformation towards circular feedstocks. Organic waste that is improperly disposed of in landfills can create methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Recycling of organic waste promotes sustainable waste management practices, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves resources. Gasification technologies and anaerobic digestion accompanied by post-digestion composting can be used to process organic waste to alter its physico-chemical properties allowing it to be used again for the original or other material purposes. It is a powerful chemical tool to recycle organic carbon instead of incineration, thereby contributing to an additional material cycle. Furthermore, high quality compost can be used as a soil enhancer. 
• BASF supports the further development of the product environmental footprint (PEF) scheme to account for biogenic carbon uptake. Enabling this added value to be accounted for as well as clear and transparent communication about the environmental benefits of products achieved by using renewable raw materials and/or recycled feedstock, is a prerequisite for placing the products with reduced carbon footprint on the market. The use of the mass balance method should also be integrated to allow for harmonized allocation of sustainability benefits of renewable and circular feedstocks in highly efficient, integrated chemical production. All forms of carbon removals need to be considered in the EU’s carbon accounting framework. This need for methodological adaptation also applies to the ongoing GHG protocol update.

For further information, please contact dialog-plastics@basf.com.

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