Sabic achieves significant emissions reductions

A reduction of 7% in water and energy use is recorded in the 2014 sustainability report of the Riyadh-based Sabic group, the world’s second largest diversified chemicals company and the largest in the Middle East.

During the year Sabic became the first chemicals company to use low-emission gas vessels for cargo. It built two ships powered by liquefied natural gas to transport liquefied ethylene gas from its plant in Teesside in north-east England to its works in northern Europe.

This development cut emissions of nitrogen oxides by more than 85%, sulphur oxides and soot particles by nearly 100%, and carbon dioxide by 20%.

Another achievement listed in the report is an 84% reduction in the amount of fossil fuels needed to manufacture feedstock made with waste fats and oils thanks to the use of low-density polymers known as polyolefins.

In this market the company calculates it has saved up to 4kg of carbon dioxide for every kilogram of goods produced.

Sabic, which posted a 2014 net profit of 23.3bn ryals ($6.2bn, £3.9bn, €5.5bn) from operations in more than 50 countries with 40,000 employees, has forged relationships with universities worldwide and says it is adding to its internal resources by building and expanding technology centres and attracting and training talented scientists.

The company points out that it has been accredited for its employment practices for the second consecutive year by the Top Employers Institute, a global certifying body headquartered in Amsterdam.

A fact sheet issued with the report states: “Sustainability is deeply embedded in the fabric of our business – from emissions for product development, business milestones and overall strategy.

“It guides our practices, technology development and outlook to the point where it has become part of our DNA.”

Bert Groothuis, the company’s director of corporate sustainability in Europe, said: “Sustainability is an endless journey for Sabic that brings improvement to the business and value to our many stakeholders. Innovation, creating sustainability solutions and engaging our stakeholders in this journey, are key for us.”