Transformation concepts for companies in the plastics industry
The plastics processing industry is in the midst of a transformation to greenhouse gas neutrality. The Plastics Center SKZ has worked closely with several companies to create individual transformation concepts that present the status quo of the company's own greenhouse gas emissions, define reduction targets based on the current state of science and regulation, and develop action plans to reduce emissions.
The SKZ has worked closely with several companies to develop individual transformation concepts. (Photo: HappyBall3692 - stock.adobe.com)
SKZ supports companies on their way to greenhouse gas neutrality
Many companies in the plastics processing industry are aware of their social responsibility and also feel the regulatory pressure to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions. The EU, for example, has set itself the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990, which can be broken down to the individual sectors and even to the individual company.
A transformation concept is used to determine where a company stands today, what the Paris climate targets mean for a company and which implementation measures have the best cost-benefit ratio. SKZ has carried out these considerations on behalf of several companies in several steps:
Step 1: Creating a corporate carbon footprint
First of all, a corporate carbon footprint, i.e. a company's CO₂ balance (in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol), was determined, which, incidentally, will also become mandatory for many companies as part of the EU-initiated sustainability reporting requirement under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Both direct emissions (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from energy procurement (Scope 2) are taken into account. Emissions from the upstream and downstream supply chain (Scope 3) have also been included in the balance, as this is relevant with regard to a risk analysis. In addition, the emissions were precisely assigned to individual plants and processes in order to identify targeted options for action to reduce them.
Step 2: Setting reduction targets
Once the company's own emissions are known, reduction targets for the coming years must be set. To assess the extent to which these are sufficient to achieve the Paris climate targets, the calculations of the Science Based Targets Initiative can be used. There, companies can have their reduction targets checked and published, which creates authenticity and commitment.
Step 3: Measures to reduce emissions
On the basis of the status quo and the targets, concrete measures to reduce emissions are developed. This is done in close cooperation between company representatives and SKZ experts, in order to take into account the broad industry knowledge of the SKZ as well as the company-specific characteristics. These measures are evaluated in terms of their relevance for the company's own carbon footprint and their influenceability.
Overview of the status quo
Overall, the transformation concept offers a company an overview of the status quo and a path to greenhouse gas neutrality. “Creating the carbon footprint at the company level with the help of the SKZ, along with the action plan, has helped us to consistently pursue greenhouse gas neutrality,” says Sascha Klamp from the innovation management and application technology departments at Treffert GmbH & Co. KG.
“With the SKZ's transformation concept, we have received important impulses for our further development. The partnership was a decisive step for us in the direction of greenhouse gas neutrality,” adds Patrick Winkler from Konzelmann GmbH.
SKZ is also happy to support other companies in creating a transformation concept. With the help of BAFA Module 5 “Transformation Plans”, funding of up to 60% of the eligible costs is possible. The SKZ energy efficiency experts listed at BAFA can provide support here.
More about the SKZ research group Transformation of the plastics industry
