Steps Toward a Sustainable Future: Green Transformation Moves from Kraton and Covestro

Sustainability and circular economy initiatives are gaining increasing importance in the global chemical industry. Kraton Corporation and Covestro have announced new investments that strengthen their commitments in this area.

Kraton is beginning ISCC PLUS certified renewable production at its Belpre facility in the United States, while Covestro has begun operating four production facilities in the United States entirely on renewable energy. These developments are regarded as critical steps toward achieving low-carbon production targets in the industry.

Kraton Transitions to ISCC PLUS Certified Renewable Production in the United States
Kraton Corporation, a globally significant player in bio-based specialty polymers and high-value biological products, has crossed a new threshold on its sustainability journey. The company announced that its Belpre production facility in Ohio has obtained ISCC PLUS certification and has reached capacity to produce 100% renewable-content Styrenic Block Copolymers (SBC).

This certification underscores Kraton's commitment to the circular economy, adding a second facility to the one it certified in Berre, France in 2021. The company's CirKular+ ReNew Series consists of ISCC PLUS certified polymers produced from renewable butadiene, styrene and isoprene. This enables customers to access renewable products with lower carbon footprints compared to fossil-based alternatives by using the mass balance approach.

Kraton Vice President of Global Strategic Marketing and Product Management Pedro Lopes made the following statement on the matter:
"The ISCC PLUS certification of our Belpre facility once again proves our commitment to the circular economy. This development increases our capacity to provide sustainable and innovative solutions to our customers, while helping them reduce their carbon footprints and increase the use of renewable materials through local ISCC PLUS supply options."

International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) uses mass balance methodology to track bio-based and recycled raw materials. This system provides companies and consumers with the ability to numerically evaluate whether materials and products comply with sustainability criteria. Since launching its CirKular+ product series in 2020, Kraton has continued to develop innovative solutions for the circular economy and plastic recycling. These products offer customers significant advantages in transitioning to renewable materials, improving product performance and reducing carbon footprint.

Covestro Operates Four Production Facilities in the United States on Renewable Electricity
Covestro, one of the world's leading high-tech polymer manufacturers, has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable energy use.

The company announced that its facilities in Channelview (Texas), South Deerfield (Massachusetts), New Martinsville (West Virginia) and Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) in the United States now operate entirely on renewable energy. This achievement was realized through a virtual Power Purchase Agreement (vPPA) that Covestro concluded with Ørsted, a Denmark-based renewable energy company. The agreement provides Covestro with an annual renewable energy capacity of 90 MW while contributing to the prevention of approximately 90,000 tons of CO₂ emissions.

This development is viewed as an important turning point in Covestro's transition to low-carbon production. The company recently reinforced its commitment to sustainable growth through low double-digit million euro investments at various facilities in the United States.

Pioneer Steps in Transition to Low-Carbon Production
The moves undertaken by Kraton and Covestro hold an important place in the chemical industry's sustainability-focused transformation process.

Investments ranging from polymers produced from renewable raw materials to facilities operating entirely on renewable energy are accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.