Paint and chemicals company AkzoNobel is moving away from fossil-sourced materials in its products, and using biomass alternatives.
First, the company took a detailed look at its product lines to identify the chemical components and processes involved. This highlighted the materials and businesses within the company's value chain that are most susceptible to fluctuations in oil and gas supply.
It then found biological substitutes.
The company has been building partnerships and hopes to get sufficient volumes to secure a future market. Solvay, from Belgium, and start-ups Solazyme and Zeachem, for instance.
It is negotiating deals that may reduce CO2 emissions across the company by up to 800 kilotonnes by 2020, it says.
As well as expanding the market for biomass and helping emerging businesses gain access to finance, the strategy will help secure AkzoNobel's raw material supply. Meanwhile, the company is ensuring that bio-based materials are sourced responsibly.
Lynn Beavis is part of the wordworks network
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