New catalyst technology reduces CO2 emissions by 30%

A new independent life cycle assessment (LCA) has found that using a catalyst technology developed by UK-based Econic Technologies to produce polyols can significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to conventional manufacturing
.

The study, conducted by PRé Sustainability, demonstrated that Econic's catalyst technology can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30% when used in the production of polyurethane precursors, polyols
.
The catalyst enables carbon dioxide to react with a group of chemicals called epoxies, traditional building blocks of the polymer industry, to produce polymers with up to 50 percent carbon dioxide by weight
.

The study compares the cradle-to-gate environmental impact of the Econic polyol production process with conventional polyols, taking into account raw material production, raw material transportation, and polyol manufacturing
.
The research has been rigorously reviewed by experts in the field to ensure compliance with ISO 14040 and 14044 standards
.

The life cycle assessment found that for every ton of CO2 used as a feedstock, at least three tons of emissions could be avoided, largely due to a reduction in the need for energy-intensive traditional feedstocks
.
The world's annual consumption of polyols in polyurethane products is as high as 11 million tons
.
When this technology is used in the critical polyurethane industry, the amount of carbon dioxide it impacts is equivalent to saving 2.
5 million cars a year, or planting 189 million trees
.

Keith Wiggins, CEO of Econic Technologies, said: “As consumers drive demand for more sustainable products, along with regulatory reform and greater social responsibility, more and more manufacturers are decarbonizing their supply chains
.
This catalyst technology enables manufacturers to use carbon dioxide today to provide customers with more sustainable, higher performance and lower cost products
.
"

In addition to providing environmental benefits, the technology also improves the performance of the final product, according to the company
.
Flexible foams used in products such as mattresses and cushions typically last longer, while coatings and elastomers are also becoming more durable, extending the life of buildings, textiles and basic equipment
.

According to Professor Nilay Shah, Head of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, who, as an independent expert on low carbon process technologies, reviewed LCA before publication, LCA will plan to play a role in building confidence in the emerging carbon capture, use and storage sector (CCUS).
important role
.

"Econic was one of the early pioneers in the industry, so a positive LCA is not only a recognition of its catalyst, but of the effectiveness of CCUS as an industry
.
"