Page 159 - CW E-Magazine (22-10-2024)

News from Abroad

DRIVING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
Solvay completes its largest GHG emissions reduction

project at US site

Belgium’s Solvay has announced
the official inauguration of its regenera-
tive thermal oxidation (RTO) process at
its Green River, Wyoming (US) plant,
marking a key milestone in the Group’s
global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.

This innovative emissions control
technology, the first of its kind in the trona
mining industry, enhances Solvay’s long-
term competitiveness while contributing
to a group-wide goal of lowering emis-
sions. It will contribute to reducing GHG
emissions at the Green River plant by up
to 20% annually and support achieving a
4% reduction in emissions at Group level
by 2025. “This system strengthens Green Solvay’s Soda Ash & Derivatives, added, one of Solvay’s seven soda ash facilities
River’s position as a US benchmark for “Our best-in-class competitiveness, car- worldwide, is a key supplier to essential
sustainable soda ash production and bon footprint and logistic capabilities will industries, providing soda ash to manu-
marks a key step in reducing our global allow us to support our customers’ grow- facture detergents, glass, solar panels and
carbon footprint. Achieving carbon neu- ing needs for sustainable soda ash and lithium carbonate used in EV batteries and
trality requires ambition and dedication, sodium bicarbonate and further position us bicarbonate used in a wide range of appli-
and I’m proud of our teams for driving as the supplier of reference in the US and cations including food, feed, cosmetics,
us closer to our 2030 climate goals while export markets.” The Green River plant, pharmaceuticals, and air pollution control.
growing the site’s capacity,” said BUSINESS RESTRUCTURING
Mr. Philippe Kehren, Solvay’s CEO.
Kemira plans new operating model

This development is part of a broader
sustainable growth strategy at the Green and organisation
River site to meet growing demand for
soda ash, while minimising its carbon foot- Finnish chemicals company Kemira employees in Finland, of whom around
print. The expansion of soda ash produc- announced in August plans for a new 280 are in manufacturing. Negotiations
tion capacity by 600 kilotons is currently operating model and organization to en- will start on October 14, 2024 and are
underway and is expected to be completed able profitable growth and sustainability expected to take six weeks. During the
by early 2025. Alongside the increase transformation. The planned changes aim negotiations, the planned changes and
in production capacity, the site aims to to increase customer centricity, strategic their reasons, impacts and alternatives
achieve an annual 20% reduction in total focus, speed of delivery and accelerate will be discussed. “The planned changes
GHG emissions by 2025, driven by the growth and shareholder value creation. may lead to the reduction of a maximum
recent coal phase-out and the integration of of 40 employees. Other potential impacts
regenerative thermal oxidation. Additio- As part of these plans, Kemira has include changes in the employment terms
nally, global export capacity is planned at initiated change negotiations that will and job roles. The possible redundancies
the Port of Vancouver USA by early 2026. cover all other Kemira employees in Finland will affect research and development and
except those in the manufacturing organi- other roles outside of manufacturing,”
Mr. Etienne Galan, President of sation. Kemira has approximately 800 the company said in a statement.

Chemical Weekly October 22, 2024 159

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