Nippon Shokubai Obtains ISCC PLUS for Superabsorbent Polymers Derived from Caustic Soda Produced from Renewable Energy -Contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact of disposable diapers-
- Management and Business
- Sustainability
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD. (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan, President: Yujiro Goto, hereinafter “Nippon Shokubai”), working to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, announces that it has obtained ISCC PLUS certification from the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification system (ISCC)*1 for superabsorbent polymers (SAP) made from caustic soda produced using electricity generated from renewable energy by its subsidiary Nippon Shokubai Europe N.V. (hereinafter NSE).
SAP commonly used in disposable diapers are mainly made from acrylic acid produced from propylene and caustic soda. In May 2021, NSE received ISCC PLUS certification (mass balance method*2) from ISCC for the production of SAP utilizing acrylic acid produced from biomass-derived propylene. It has now obtained ISCC PLUS certification for sustainable SAP made from caustic soda produced using electricity generated from renewable energy. Combining these certifications will contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions throughout the product life cycle. Furthermore, Nippon Shokubai will establish a system that can supply bio-based/sustainable SAP in response to client demand.
In addition to these ISCC PLUS-certified SAP, Nippon Shokubai is engaged in the research and development of sustainable SAP that contribute to the reduction of environmental impact, such as biodegradable SAP and recycled SAP from used disposable diapers. We will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by promoting these research and development activities.
Corporate outline of NSE
Company name: NIPPON SHOKUBAI EUROPE N.V.
Established: February 1999
Location: Antwerp, Belgium (headquarters and plant)
Representative: Tomiyuki Sawada, President
Capital: 243 million EURO (100% owned by Nippon Shokubai)
Business: Production and sales of acrylic acid and SAP
Number of employees: 191 (as of December 31, 2021)
*1) ISCC（International Sustainability and Carbon Certification): ISCC is one of the world’s largest certification organizations, and is widely recognized in Europe and other parts of the world. It has a track record of more than 4,000 certifications in over 100 countries for sustainable raw materials, such as biomass and waste plastics, and recyclable products.
*2) mass balance method: When biomass-derived raw materials and petroleum-derived raw materials are mixed, the ratio of the biomass-derived raw materials used is assigned as the biomass ratio of the specific end product. For example, if 30% of the propylene used in the production of acrylic acid and SAP is bio-based propylene and the rest is petroleum-based propylene, the mass balance method can be applied to allocate 30% of the bio-based propylene to SAP. Therefore, biomass-derived and petroleum-derived raw materials can be manufactured up to completion of the final product without distinguishing between them, and the extent of the contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions during the life cycle of the product can be shown.
About NIPPON SHOKUBAI Co., Ltd.: Since 1941, Nippon Shokubai has grown up its business with unique catalyst technology. Nippon Shokubai has supplied, for example, ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, automobile catalysts, process catalysts and so on. Among all, our global market share of superabsorbent polymers is the largest in the world now. Nippon Shokubai is a global chemical company operating under its corporate mission “TechnoAmenity-Providing affluence and comfort to people and society with our unique technology.”
【Contacts】
Corporate Communications Dept.,
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
TEL: +81-3-3506-7605 E-mail: shokubai@n.shokubai.co.jp
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https://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/company/aboutus.html#co02