Why do some gasses cause climate change while others don’t? What is limiting battery life in electric vehicles? How can our buildings become more sustainable? 

The answer to all of these questions lies in the field of chemistry. Anna Berggren, Vice President Sustainability at Perstorp Group, says that the chemical industry has struggled with an unfairly bad reputation: 

“Many people are aware of the negative aspects of the chemical industry like that some chemicals are harmful and they are fossil dependent. However, few people are aware of the many ways that chemicals are beneficial and even essential to our societies and the ongoing transition of our societies. For example, more effective wind power or future development of electric vehicles would not be possible without chemistry.”

Berggren says that the chemicals industry may have a reputation to repair, but it is already taking strides in making industries more sustainable – though there remain some obstacles to overcome: 

“The chemical industry is facing several large challenges and the transition towards a circular society and achieving climate neutrality are two areas of great importance, as well as making sure that our products are safe and sustainable and are contributing to driving the transition of our society.”

Perstorp Group, founded 140 years ago in Sweden, manufactures specialty chemicals for a range of applications across the three major segments of resins and coatings, engineered fluids and animal nutrition. 

Jan Secher, President & CEO at Perstorp Group says that the company’s drive for sustainability can trace its roots back to the company’s foundation in the woods of southern Sweden: 

“That’s our heritage, and very much still reflecting our DNA in the roots of that environment. We manufacture specialty chemicals to make sustainable products and solutions that we as end consumers can enjoy and take advantage of.”

This sustainability drive has resulted in Project Air which aims to significantly reduce Perstorp’s carbon emissions in tandem with enabling the supply of sustainable raw material for a large variety of end products. Simon Fröjd, Specialist Process Simulation & Design at Perstorp Group explains: 

“Project Air will be based on existing technologies, but combined in a new way that will be a game changer for the chemical industry. Instead of relying on fossil-based feedstock, we will make our production system circular. We’ll produce sustainable methanol by using carbon dioxide and other residue streams as raw material. It is the first of a kind process that will combine carbon capture and utilization with gasification of residues. Also it includes a world scale electrolyzer to produce hydrogen from renewable electricity and purified waste water.” 

Anna Berggren says that the project promises to be a game changer for the whole industry:

“Project Air will contribute to value change in society by enabling more sustainable chemical products. And it will demonstrate a shift of the chemical industry from fossil dependence and towards more circular production methods. The project will reduce about 500,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually by producing more sustainable methanol for chemical production.”

What do these approaches look like in practice? Elsa Fahlén, Innovation Leader Representative at The City of Gothenburg, says that practical applications of sustainable technology are being deployed in flagship building projects that are used to highlight the benefits of this new approach:

“In 2017 we were given the challenge from our politicians to build a preschool as fossil-free as possible and fossil-free in every step. We asked for partners to join us in this journey because we wanted to challenge the industries related to the construction industry, including the chemical industry in the transition to more climate neutral solutions. We found that we both have environmental goals that we share, and we were also part of the same research and development project about glue and paint.”

Perstorp contributed by developing a new resin used in the wood coating with a lower fossil content. Fahlén adds that new use cases are emerging:

“We have many existing buildings that need refurbishment and repainting, not only in our building stock, but also in Sweden and in other countries. In our collaboration, we have represented a potential user of this wood coating.”

For Jan Secher, the future is clear:

“The reason why we have the mission to be a sustainable solutions provider is very simple. We know that we can make a difference directly to our next customer, but given that we are quite high up in the value chain, it’s important that we enable what our customers can do for you and me as end users. It’s extremely powerful and very motivating.”