Sustainability

Respectful Management of Resources

We recognised our responsibility towards humankind and the environment early on. Environmental Social Governance (ESG) is embedded in Sekisui Chemical’s fundamental strategy. In our everyday business, not only do economic targets count, but so too do uncompromising ecological and social aspects. This focus shapes our company, what we offer and what we do.

The safety of people and the environment is a prime concern of Sekisui Alveo. It shapes our company, the products and service we offer, and our forward thinking. We invest in outstanding products and are committed to the sustainable and responsible use of resources.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) and product carbon footprint (PCF)

In our efforts to realize sustainable management, we perform life cycle assessments (LCA) consistent with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 following different LCA phases. The modelling approach and the results go through extensive external quality assurance check. We calculate and document the product carbon footprint (PCF) using the cradle-to-gate scope as per ISO 14067 and we provide carbon footprint information for most of our foam products to our customers.

Our commitment to the future

100%

renewable electricity in all production sites

100%

less emissions of nitrogen oxides thanks to new catalyser system in Roermond

1.3 MW

of solar power installed in Roermond

1'500 m³

less water consumption per year thanks to new cooling system in Bad Sobernheim

Sourcing

We select our raw materials and suppliers under strict aspects of sustainability. Sekisui Alveo conducts regular assessments on various sustainability and regulatory issues and integrates the outcomes for future product improvements. These advantages are then passed on to our customers along the supply chain.

Full traceability of raw materials throughout the supply chain
Resource-conserving production methods
Use of renewable raw materials as well as biogenic waste and residual materials to reduce the use of fossil energy sources in accordance with ISCC PLUS standards
Use of local suppliers to shorten transport distances

Certified sustainability

To reduce the carbon footprint of the raw materials significantly, we work with our suppliers in saving the fossil feedstocks and replacing them with circular feedstocks during the manufacturing process of these raw materials. To enable this, Sekisui Alveo choose the certified sustainability approach (ISCC PLUS) to support the accelerated transition to Bioeconomy and Circular economy along the entire supply chain.

In simplified terms, the ISCC PLUS mass balance approach works like renewable electricity at the energy supplier – but for raw materials to produce polymers. Just as the energy supplier must ensure this by mixing renewable electricity in the energy supply chain, the polymer manufacturer must mix sustainable material flows to replace the fossil feedstock. Depending on the proportion of the sustainably produced material stream mixed and documented according to the principles of mass balance, the producers can sell the finished polymer with an ISCC PLUS certificate. The product itself does not differ from the polymers produced from a conventional feedstock. The product meets all the regulatory compliance as before and can be used for all applications. Certified polyolefin foams produced using these certified sustainable materials also do not need any requalification or recertification by customers.

ISCC PLUS

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Design

Our high-performance polyolefin foams are optimised for recyclability and demanding applications. We are constantly striving for smarter solutions reducing environmental impact for example in the following fields:

Mono-material concepts for improved recyclability
Same performance with reduced density to conserve resources
Light and stiff materials with enhanced surfaces
Sandwich core materials for lightweight applications

Manufacturing

We continuously monitor emissions from our production facilities to minimise environmental impact. We are steadily increasing our efficiency in production, reducing the use of energy and raw materials and thus our environmental footprint.

We constantly monitor manufacturing KPIs like waste, energy and water consumption. These figures allow us to define improvement projects and measure our progress.

We are steadily investing in our own energy production (heat recovery, solar). We use 100% renewable electricity from local suppliers for our foam production.

Our production plant in Bad Sobernheim has recently commissioned a new cooling system that reduces water consumption by over 50% and eliminated the need for various chemicals which were required in the old "open" cooling system.

All these measures reduce the carbon footprint of our products.

Logistics

We commit to local production in Europe. By optimizing our transport planning, we save hundreds of truck kilometres every year. To reduce CO2 emissions even further, we have trucks available with green fuel and high-volume trucks.

Use

Specific customer needs require individual solutions. Research and development are in our core DNA since more than 50 years. As a foam expert and solution provider, we help you to design sustainable strategies and applications.

Our foam saves resources in many end applications and offers various environmental advantages:

Halogen free flame retardant solutions
Lightweight solutions
Products in compliance with latest regulations
Low emissions
Thermal insulation
Impact protection
Durability, chemical inertness, stability
High performance at low area weight

Recycling

Sekisui Alveo pursues the goal of zero production waste. Besides the efficient usage of raw materials and energy, we promote the reuse, recycling and recovery of waste. For example, our Alveocel foam waste is reused in the company's own manufacturing process since a long time. Alveolit and Alveolen production waste can be repurposed into alternative products.