Borealis Strategy 2030: Re-inventing Essentials for Sustainable Living

• Strategy and purpose affirm Borealis Group vision to be a global leader in advanced and sustainable chemicals and material solutions
• Sustainability at the centre of all activities, supporting OMV Group’s ambition for a net zero business by 2050
• Strong foundation supports continued geographic expansion with enhanced focus on Middle East and Asia, North America

Borealis announces the introduction of the Borealis Strategy 2030. At the core of this strategic evolution is sustainability, which is supported by the strong Borealis foundation of dedication to safety first, its people, innovation and technology, and performance excellence. This foundation powers continued geographic expansion and the ongoing transformation towards the circular economy. The strategy stipulates new and more ambitious sustainability targets with regard to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions, energy consumption, and the circular economy. Underlying the Borealis Strategy 2030 is an evolved purpose, “Re-inventing Essentials for Sustainable Living,” whose intent and spirit is shared across the OMV Group.

A strategic evolution centred on sustainability
The Borealis Strategy 2030 affirms that sustainability forms the core of all its current and future operations. The sustainability targets stipulated in the strategy cover GHG emissions, energy use, flaring, and circular economy products and solutions for Borealis Polyolefins and Hydrocarbons businesses.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Borealis aims to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2* emissions from 5.1 million tons (base year 2019) to less than 2 million tons by 2030. The emission reduction portfolio includes increased use of electricity from renewable sources throughout the decade and carbon capture projects which will come on stream in the second half of this decade. The reduction target also includes the announced divestment of the Borealis nitrogen business, which comprises fertilizers, technical nitrogen, and melamine.

Energy consumption
In 2021, around 25% of the electricity Borealis used in its own operations was derived from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. By 2025, the share of renewables in the electricity mix will increase to 40%. By 2030, 100% of the electricity used in its Polyolefins and Hydrocarbons operations shall be of renewable origin.

Circular economy products and solutions
Around 100 kilotons of products currently manufactured by Borealis in Europe are circular. These include recycled and renewable polymers and chemicals as well as renewable hydrocarbons. By 2025, Borealis targets a six-fold increase in the share of circular products and solutions, or 600 kilotons. By 2030, the volume of circular products and solutions is set to reach 1.8 million tons globally, turning today’s plastic waste into a valuable resource to be reused. Moving from a linear towards a circular economy will also significantly reduce the Borealis Group’s Scope 3** emissions.

Borealis Strategy 2030 driven by expansion and transformation – and powered by people
Geographic expansion and the transformation towards circular and value add materials are key pillars of the Borealis Strategy 2030. Both will be made possible thanks to the strong foundation of Borealis values, corporate culture, spirit of innovation and technology, and its people.

The Borealis Group’s aspiration to become a truly global player serving its customers around the world has already begun with its ongoing investments in global growth projects, including Borouge 4 (UAE), Baystar (US) and Kallo (Belgium). The Strategy 2030 emphasises the importance of serving the rapidly growing Asian market and expanding the Borealis Group footprint in North America. Additional strategic partnerships as well as mergers and acquisitions are planned. Organic growth opportunities in the form of newly established operational facilities are also under consideration.

As an industry pioneer in the transformation of the plastics economy from a linear to a circular one, Borealis accelerates the development towards becoming a fully customer-centric producer of advanced, sustainable material solutions in all business areas, from energy and infrastructure to consumer products, healthcare to mobility, and from pipes and fittings to advanced polymer solutions. The Borealis commitment to Value Creation through Innovation will continue to drive progress in the circular sphere. Borealis will build on the success of the proprietary and transformative Borcycle™ technology, which gives polyolefin-based, post-consumer waste a new life; and The Bornewables™, its portfolio of premium circular polyolefins based on renewable feedstocks.

The strong foundation of it all is the Borealis culture and values: above all, a dedication to safety and a commitment to putting its people first; the mind-set deeply rooted in innovation and technology which accelerates circularity, drives specialty growth, and creates more value in licensing and catalyst technology; and finally, the Borealis Group’s relentless focus on performance excellence.

“The Borealis Strategy 2030 is our roadmap to making life more sustainable for future generations. Our significantly expanding footprint in value-added and circular chemicals and material solutions is rooted in our dedication to innovation and customer focus,” says Borealis CEO Thomas Gangl. “Re-inventing essentials for sustainable living is our commitment to do our part to address global climate change and our guide for our own sustainable success in a carbon net-zero world.”

* Scope 1 are direct GHG emissions that occur at the source and are controlled by Borealis. Scope 2 are GHG emissions stemming from the generation of energy purchased by the company.

** Scope 3 are indirect GHG emissions that are a consequence of company activities but occur from sources outside or not controlled by the company.

New GIFA and METEC Indonesia from 2023: Messe Düsseldorf focuses on powerful growth market

High potential due to Indonesia’s dynamic economic growth
Comprehensive line-up for metallurgy and foundry industries
Key components of Messe Düsseldorf’s global expansion course

With the new events GIFA and METEC Indonesia new platforms are emerging for the upcoming Indonesian metallurgy and foundry industries. Messe Düsseldorf accompanies Indonesia’s strong economic growth, opens up an attractive market for international companies and strengthens the world’s leading trade fairs GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST to be held again as “The Bright World of Metals” at the home base Düsseldorf next year.

GIFA and METEC Indonesia will take place for the first time in Jakarta from 13 to 16 September 2023. They provide Indonesia’s metallurgy and foundry industry, which is experiencing a sustainable upswing, with a new professional marketplace while granting international industry players access to an attractive future market. The organisers behind the new trade fairs are Messe Düsseldorf Asia (MDA) in Singapore, the subsidiary of Messe Düsseldorf Group for the Southeast Asian market, and PT Pamerindo Indonesia, Indonesia’s leading trade fair organiser that forms part of Informa Markets, one of the world’s largest trade fair companies.

GIFA and METEC Indonesia consequently extend the portfolio “Metallurgy & Foundry Technologies” of Messe Düsseldorf, which pools the world’s No. 1 trade fairs GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST under the umbrella of “The Bright World of Metals”. Every four years it brings together the world market leaders in metallurgy and foundry technology in Düsseldorf. At the same time, globally distributed satellite events create important marketplaces for various regions of the world. The expansion focuses on growth markets: following METEC India (2004) as well as GIFA and METEC Southeast Asia, to be held in Thailand in October 2022 for the first time, GIFA and METEC Indonesia 2023 will prove the next milestones.

Growth markets in focus

Emphasizing the benefits for all parties involved, Wolfram N. Diener, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, says: “We go where we see the highest potential: Asia, Latin America and Africa. The demand for investment in industry and infrastructure is huge here – as is the need for professional trading and networking platforms to drive these projects. This pays off for the national industries, for the economic growth of the target markets and for our international customers with new business opportunities arising. In this way we remain a relevant partner for business and strengthen the leading position of Düsseldorf’s No. 1 trade fairs.”

Gernot Ringling, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf Asia, emphasizes the relevance of Indonesia in particular: “G20 member Indonesia is already the largest economy in Southeast Asia and the tenth largest worldwide. Forecasts show: The upward trend is continuing. Indonesia will steadily expand its position – forerunners are numerous infrastructure projects and large-scale industrial projects that are visible everywhere in the country. Trade fairs can participate in this success story and play an active role in shaping it.” The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 5.4% this year alone, rising to six per cent in 2023.

Extensive ranges

GIFA and METEC will cover a comprehensive spectrum of machines, plants and technologies ranging from additive manufacturing, foundry machines and processing plants to new technologies for user industries in various vertical markets – from the automotive industry, construction, the energy and gas sectors to users in metal works and steel mills.

They will be co-located with Mining Indonesia, which PT Pamerindo Indonesia will already organise for the 20th time in 2023. Southeast Asia’s largest international trade fair for mining equipment, minerals extraction and processing will offer the metal-working and foundry companies of GIFA and METEC Indonesia welcome synergies. Together the three trade fairs form an integrated business platform for the supply chain in the segments mining, metal working and casting.

Ian Roberts, Vice President of Informa Markets Asia, underscores the added value of this cooperation: “The co-location will open more opportunities for Indonesian foundry, metal works and casting sectors to grow. Furthermore, as the largest economy in Southeast Asia, the country offers new and wider business potentials especially with the government plan in making Indonesia a manufacturing hub for Southeast Asia.”

Strong industrial trade fairs

At the same time, Messe Düsseldorf further expands its strong position as an organiser of leading industrial trade fairs. Bernd Jablonowski, Executive Director Operative Trade Fair Business, underlines the relevance of this division: “Machinery, plant and equipment are our biggest field of expertise. We provide platforms for a wide variety of industries: for those wanting to be successful in their business – be it on an international scale or in targeted markets – Messe Düsseldorf is the place to be.” The “Bright World of Metals” is complemented in thematic terms by the “Wire, Tube & Flow Technologies” portfolio with the leading international trade fairs wire and Tube. These will reunite the international players from these industries in Düsseldorf from 20 to 24 June 2022. Concurrently held from 21 to 24 June will be METAV, the international trade fair for metal-working technologies, organised by VDW (Verein Deutscher Werkzeugmaschinenfabriken / German Machine Tool Builders’ Association). This enables the machine tool companies involved in these three trade fairs to benefit from their complementary ranges.

Add to this, VALVE WORLD EXPO, the international trade fair for industrial valves held in Düsseldorf from 29 November to 1 December. With all its satellite events these trade fairs form a world-wide and thematically complementing network now to be enriched by GIFA and METEC Indonesia; precisely at the perfect point in time, as Friedrich-Georg Kehrer, Global Portfolio Director at Messe Düsseldorf, explains: “Companies are re-organising their global sourcing and purchasing structures and business is going through a phase of recovery: with our leading international trade fairs and our versatile, international network of trade fairs we give companies a basis for sustainable and stable international business.”

Rising internationality

Messe Düsseldorf also grows in other sectors: after introducing two new trade fairs abroad in 2021 (ProWine São Paulo, ProWine Mumbai), seven new events in total are scheduled for 2022 (REHACARE SHANGHAI, MEDICAL FAIR BRASIL, COLOMBIAPLAST, CorruTec Asia, GIFA Southeast Asia, METEC Southeast ASIA, FoodAfrica Cairo). Until the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic the international activities have entailed a constantly growing attendance at the homebase Düsseldorf – and the international share has gone up particularly here. For companies exhibiting at the trade fairs it clearly exceeds 70% as a rule – before and after the pandemic.

The Perfect Productivity and Safety Duo: Lindner’s Komet Series 3 and Fire Prevention System (FPS)

The high-precision shredder series Komet is the gold-standard in secondary shredding, and presented itself at the IFAT 2022 in its even more productive and maintenance-friendly edition. The German TÜV-certified Lindner Fire Prevention System protects against potential sources of fire, primarily caused by rechargeable batteries that are still present in today’s material steam. The new Komet series and the Lindner FPS were on display in Hall B6, Stand 251/350.

For almost twenty years, Komet series shredders have been converting non-recyclable material into highly calorific alternative fuel worldwide. The engineering, robustness, precision, economy, and high throughput of the Komet series models have made them what they are today – the benchmark in secondary shredding. Yet over time, the demands on the waste and recycling industry have changed due to a lack of qualified workers, soaring energy costs, and a need for higher productivity. The new Komet Series 3 takes on these challenges and presented itself at IFAT 2022 with efficient solutions such as the automatic belt tensioning system, ATB for short, a dust-protected drive unit and new software. While new software features increase productivity, the ATB ensures constant and, therefore, optimal power transmission. In addition, compressed air protects the drive unit from contamination, which significantly reduces the maintenance required. An additional benefit: the adjustments to the control panel support intuitive two-handed operation. “We have integrated our customers’ wealth of experience – which was very important to us – into the product development,” explains Stefan Scheiflinger-Ehrenwerth, Head of Product Management at Lindner, “From our point of view, this is the best way to fulfil client needs.”

In addition to the Komet Series 3, Lindner featured the in-house developed FPS Fire Prevention System at IFAT 2022. Highly flammable rechargeable batteries and lithium-ion batteries can still find their way into the material flow. If these batteries are damaged during the shredding process, this can lead to a dangerous build- up of heat which, without an early detection system, is often only spotted in the depot chamber – with dramatic consequences. The TÜV-approved Lindner FPS provides a solution to this problem. Self-cleaning infrared sensors mounted on the discharge belt scan the temperature of the materials on the conveyor belt. If the temperature exceeds defined parameters, the infrared sensors activate the cooling nozzles, which eliminate the danger via a spray mist. In cases where extreme heat develops, the conveyor belt is switched off, and the potentially hazardous materials, mostly damaged batteries, can be removed manually. In addition to a terminal box that indicates the status of the FPS, the scope of delivery also includes a control cabinet that contains the software, the necessary ports, and, for maximum safety, a reserve water tank in case the water supply gets interrupted. Stefan Scheiflinger-Ehrenwerth: “Everything comes pre-assembled as plug & play – all fittings, water tank and hydraulics practically come in a protected control cabinet, as one is used to from Lindner. An ingeniously simple system that can also be implemented into already existing shredding solutions. The control cabinet can monitor up to two independent cooling lines and can be expanded as required using plug-in elements. The German TÜV confirms the FPS’s functionality and its conformity with the current European fire prevention standard.”

The Komet Series from Lindner
The benchmark in secondary shredding presented itself at IFAT 2022 with new features in terms of ease of maintenance and productivity.

The cutting unit of the Komet Series 3

Control panel with intuitive operation
The new control panel supports intuitive and self-explanatory operation

The cooling nozzles of the Lindner Fire Prevention System (FPS) during operation

The cooling nozzles of the Lindner Fire Prevention System (FPS) during operation

The infrared sensor of the Lindner FPS
scans the material at the discharge conveyor. If certain particles exceed a defined temperature, it sounds an alarm and the cooling nozzle starts immediately.

Potential hazards detection at an early stage
With the Lindner FPS, dangerous heat developments, such as those caused by rechargeable batteries or lithium-ion batteries, can be detected and extinguished in a timely manner.

Mondi teams up with EW Technology to launch new machine for paper pallet wrapping

• Mondi and EW Technology have partnered to create an innovative new paper wrapping machine.
• EW Technology’s mechanical engineering knowledge has been combined with Mondi’s paper packaging expertise to enable companies to wrap pallets in Advantage StretchWrap paper.
• New machine extends the possibilities for companies wanting to replace plastic pallet wrapping with a recyclable and renewable paper solution.

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has collaborated with Austrian mechanical engineering company EW Technology to launch a new machine for paper pallet wrapping that is more efficient and sustainable on small-to-medium production lines.

The two companies worked together to design the innovative machine, which fills a gap Mondi identified in the pallet wrapping market. Offering two settings, the machine can be fully automated to wrap up to 60 pallets every hour or semi-automated to wrap 10-15 pallets per hour.

The machine takes a full reel of Mondi’s Advantage StretchWrap paper, allowing customers to replace the multi-layer plastic which is currently the industry standard for pallet wrapping. Advantage StretchWrap is 100% virgin paper, created with renewable materials and fully recyclable in existing paper waste streams across Europe. It contains no plastic or coating, but still ensures excellent strength and tension absorption. Mondi commissioned an independent life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing the innovative paper pallet packaging to conventional plastic stretch film and proved that it performed better in several impact categories – most notably in climate change, with a 62% lower carbon footprint than virgin plastic stretch film.

From a user point of view there are further benefits. A full reel of Advantage StretchWrap can be applied to the new machine without any need to re-wind. The larger dimensions of the Advantage StretchWrap reel mean that a replacement reel is only needed every 400-600 pallets compared to 40-80 pallets for plastic wrapping, providing a more efficient solution.

Philipp Ertl, Co-founder, EW Technology, says: “Sustainable projects are close to our hearts and as a young team we are determined to make a positive contribution to the environment. By taking a collaborative approach with Mondi we were able to learn exactly what was needed and work together to deliver a unique new offering in paper wrapping technology for palletised goods – one that will benefit companies across many industries.”

Babicz Bartosz, Product Manager Advantage StretchWrap, Mondi adds: “We work with brands across various industries and recognised that companies seeking to be more sustainable and with smaller outputs require a customised machine for paper pallet wrapping. This machine will mean that customers can successfully and safely wrap their products in paper for transportation, work towards a more circular system and make a positive contribution to the environment.”

The world of design is currently undergoing a major transformation: in addition to functional and aesthetic aspects, the focus on the circular economy is becoming increasingly important. This development is also shaping this year’s Fuori Salone Milan at the Milan Design Week from June 6 to 12. Covestro is taking part in the world-renowned event for the first time and will be represented in “Superstudio Più,” which hosts an exhibition curated by Materially. There, material solutions will be presented that designers can use to contribute to aesthetics, functionality and sustainability, creating added value for their customers. An extensive CMF sample library (CMF stands for Color, Material, Finish) at the booth in Milan and in the digital area rounds out the offering of Covestro.

Covestro is using the trade show to target designers and CMF professionals and make its developments tangible. “Together with these important target groups, we are also developing scalable design solutions with a focus on circularity and higher volume production,” says Dr. Christopher Stillings, Head of Color & Design in the Engineering Plastics segment. “For inspiration and to start the dialogue, we offer them various aesthetics toolkits that explain the visual and tactile properties of our polycarbonates and other materials, and also introduce 24 trendy colors.” The six Color & Design Centers that the company operates worldwide are also located close to customers.

On the road to a circular economy

The vision of Covestro is to become fully circular, and to this end it offers its customers climate-neutral¹ polycarbonates and polyurethane raw materials, but also develops innovative recycling technologies and engages in the reuse of recycled post-consumer plastics.

New polycarbonate grades are carbon-neutral from cradle to factory gate¹, thanks to the use of renewable electricity for production processes at Covestro and the introduction of raw materials derived from mass-balanced biowaste and residual materials. The plastics offer equally good quality as their fossil-based counterparts and can be seamlessly integrated into customers’ existing production processes without compromising on quality.

Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) have proven to be versatile materials in a variety of applications, from electronic devices to sporting goods. Covestro aims to make the products more circular and is working with partners in the value chain to achieve this. The current range includes partially bio-based raw materials, mass-balanced as well as recycled TPUs.

Due to the good recyclability of TPU, Covestro is expanding its portfolio of recycled grades. Together with Dutch customer Fairphone, the company developed circular material solutions for its Fairphone 3 and 4 models based on fully and partially recycled TPU and polycarbonate grades. 

New trend reports for color, material and finish

On June 10, Covestro will unveil the second edition of its CMF (Color, Material, Finish) trend reports in collaboration with the renowned Shanghai Tongji University, Shanghai Jiaotong University and the Good Matter Design agency. The three trend reports for the automotive, electrical and electronics as well as healthcare industries look at global trends in consumer lifestyles. The trend studies show how the key themes for 2022 and 2023 can be translated into targeted CMF strategies and designs using Covestro products.

Perstorp makes major increase in production of Pro-Environment Polyols

Sustainable solutions provider and global leader within polyols Perstorp is taking a stand by converting a large majority of the polyols produced at their largest production plant in Perstorp, Sweden, to Pro-Environment products. By doing this, Perstorp will enable reduced greenhouse gas emissions for its polyol customers and downstream value chains.

Perstorp, a leading sustainability-driven global specialty chemicals company, is continuing their sustainability journey towards becoming finite material neutral and aligning with the Paris Agreement, by converting all base polyols produced at their Perstorp plant – Pentaerythritol (Penta), Neopentyl glycol (Neo) and Trimethylolpropane (TMP) – to Pro-Environment. From 2023, all fossil versions of the base polyols produced at the Perstorp plant will be replaced by Pro-Environment grades (Voxtar, Evyrone & Neeture) with partly renewable or recycled origin, based on a traceable mass-balance concept.

The Pro-Environment products are certified with ISCC PLUS, and are identical to the fossil-based versions, meaning that they are drop-in replacements. The products benefit customers and the value chain by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and by supporting the transition to renewable or recycled materials, in other words supporting the challenge of reaching climate neutrality.

“Phasing out the fossil base polyols produced at the site in Perstorp is a bold move, but we are convinced that this is the only way forward for us, as an industry, to align with the Paris Agreement and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” says Jan Secher, CEO of Perstorp Group. “As an upstream company in the chemical industry we can, and should, make a positive impact across multiple value-chains by offering products with a reduced carbon footprint.”

Perstorp introduced the first Pro-Environment polyol already 2010, and in 2017, Perstorp announced the long-term ambition to become Finite Material Neutral. Since late 2021, the company has set Science-based emission reduction targets aligned with the Paris agreement. The transition to Pro-Environment polyols will significantly reduce Perstorp’s usage of finite materials, and will also provide the market with products with a lower carbon footprint, hence contributing towards Perstorp, and its customers, reaching their Scope 3 reduction targets.

Arburg Trainees Win VDMA “Carbon Busters” Award

• VDMA promotes climate protection: “next generation reduces emissions “
• First prize: Arburg trainees win 3,000 euros for reducing the carbon footprint of coffee machines
• Clearly calculated: the reusable cup concept can save ten tonnes of CO2 emissions per year

A team of six trainees from Arburg won the VDMA “Carbon Busters” Award on 30 May 2022. The competition, which offered a first prize of 3,000 euros, was held by the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) as part of the Hannover Messe trade fair to honour the work of young climate protectors. The winning entry was an idea aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of coffee machines.

The jury’s decision was based on criteria including the team’s clearly formulated objectives, their comprehensive preparation of the project and their ability to put the idea into practice. “We are delighted that our concept for environmentally friendly coffee consumption has been so well received by the VDMA and, in particular, by Arburg,” said Tobias Helber, a first-year IT trainee, on behalf of the project team. Tobias, Denise Bohnet, Svenja Bross, Sonja Fritz, Mika Hauser and Jannik Muenstermann invested around 250 hours in the concept and have already put some of their ideas into practice at the company headquarters in Lossburg.

Replacing single-use cups in coffee machines
The Lossburg site has 24 table top machines and 33 large coffee machines which dispensed a total of 900,000 hot drinks in 2019 – 85 per cent of which were in single-use plastic cups. The calculations carried out by the project team showed that manufacturing one single-use cup produces 14 grams of CO2. In contrast, washing ten crockery cups produces just 11.8 grams of CO2. A survey indicated that the vast majority of staff would be willing to switch to crockery cups or a reusable solution. Consequently, the team hung up posters to encourage all users to avoid single-use coffee cups and many employees have since switched to porcelain cups when using the table top machines.

Small change – big impact
Another of the team’s ideas was to connect the coffee machines to Arburg’s internal network via WiFi-enabled sockets so they can easily be switched off at weekends and during company holidays. The trainees calculated the power consumption of the coffee machines during use, on standby and when starting up. The results were as follows: if all 57 machines were switched off at weekends and during shutdown periods, this would save the equivalent of 6,058 hours’ worth of power a year, which corresponds to 0.138 tonnes of CO2 savings per year.
A more substantial goal that is yet to be implemented is to establish a reusable cup system for the large coffee machines. The team worked out that the solution with the lowest carbon footprint would be to use Arburg’s injection moulding machines to manufacture reusable cups that are compatible with the large coffee machines and to stock the machines with them. Used cups could be returned to a collection point and then cleaned in a separate dishwashing area on site at Arburg. If all of these measures are implemented, it will be possible to save around ten tonnes of CO2 emissions per year in future.