ECO PRODUCT LINE

Under the VESTA eCO brand family we summarize our Crosslinkers solutions that enable reduced CO₂ emissions. More precisely we talk about VESTASOL® IP eCO, VESTAMIN® IPD eCO and VESTANAT® IPDI eCO. These solutions have a special focus on sustainability as the VESTA eCO grades are based on renewable raw materials and offer a lower carbon footprint.

It stands for our commitement to be more sustainable and provide our customers with solutions that enable a lower carbon footprint.

eCO = eliminating (fossil-based) CO₂  footprint

In the first step, we focus on Acetone. Acetone has the single biggest impact on the GWP of our Isophorone-based products. By swapping to renewable Acetone we are able to reduce the GWP of our Isophorone-based products.

At this time we are producing the VESTA eCO series in our production plants in Europe and the United States and can ship products from these sites to global locations. In the future, production in China would be possible as soon as there is sufficient demand.

The new VESTA eCO series serves as a drop-in solution that maintains the well-known performance of our products. All items containing renewable resources are 1:1 chemically identical to their conventional counterparts.

If you are already buying VESTASOL® IP, VESTAMIN® IPD or VESTANAT® IPDI from us you don’t need a sample as the eCO version is 1:1 chemically identical with the virgin fossil-based products you have already been using. The difference lies in the certified use of renewable Acetone. The eCO prodcuts offer you exactly the same processing, same formulation and properties and of course, the same superb quality you are used to with Evonik's VESTA products.

Currently, renewable Acetone is more expensive than conventional fossil-based Acetone, and the emerging market remains volatile and in development. As a result, the VESTA eCO series will incur an upcharge compared to the standard VESTA products you are currently purchasing.

The upcharge will vary based on the volumes you require and the commitment you are willing to make. Your sales manager will provide a tailored offer based on these factors.

While this price increase is unavoidable, it presents valuable opportunities, including:

• Access to increasingly sustainable markets
• Differentiation as a competitive advantage
• A positive impact on your company’s image

Investing in the VESTA eCO series not only aligns with sustainability goals but also positions your business for future growth.

Renewable Acetone is derived from carbon sources that avoid or replace the use of additional fossil carbon from the geosphere, resulting in a lower carbon footprint compared to standard Acetone.

Renewable acetone can be sourced from various feedstocks. The International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) distinguishes between bio, bio-circular, and circular feedstocks:

• Bio-based feedstocks are virgin agricultural raw materials, such as corn or straw.

• Bio-circular feedstocks refer to waste and residues of biological origin from agriculture, forestry, and related industries, including fisheries and aquaculture. This category also encompasses the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste, such as used cooking oil (UCO), tall oil, and food waste.

• Circular feedstocks (including technical-circular) are derived from the mechanical and/or chemical processing of recyclable materials of non-biological origin (fossil-based), such as mixed plastic waste, waste textiles, and end-of-life tires.

For more information, please refer to the ISCC PLUS System Document (v3.2, 19 December 2019).

Evonik only sources certified renewable Acetone via mass balance production. So, what applies to our VESTA eCO products also applies to the renewable Acetone we source. Currently, all mass balanced renewable acetone comes from reliable and approved long-term Acetone suppliers. They produce the mass balance renewable Acetone in their existing virgin fossil-based large scale production units. And in many cases, the actual entry point for the mass balance raw materials is already the cracker level. From steam cracker to Acetone is a long and complex process involving high temperature, high pressure and various distillation steps. Possible impurities in the renewable raw material will typically be purged during the production process in the same way as any impurities in the virgin fossil-based raw material.

At this time, the total amount of renewable raw materials via mass balance in the multi million tons basic chemical industry is still small, but growing. Due to the extreme high dilution effect it is given that there is no sample available that you can test or analyze. Our discussions with several suppliers regarding this concept have made it clear that they are aware of these concerns and are committed to providing detailed specifications for the mass-balanced products they will deliver to us in the future.

The Global Warming Potential (GWP) is not the only criterion we consider when selecting renewable Acetone.

We have committed to purchasing only ISCC PLUS certified renewable Acetone. The ISCC PLUS certification adheres to sustainability principles, including social responsibility, high ecological standards, and strict compliance.

We are actively discussing the details of the value chain with our suppliers, including the potential exclusion of certain feedstocks for renewable Acetone. This is an ongoing process within the emerging market for renewable Acetone.

Price is also an important factor in our decision-making.

Ultimately, we strive to make a well-balanced sourcing decision based on all available information.

The mass balance approach involves mixing virgin fossil and renewable raw materials into existing systems and production processes. The renewable amount is then allocated mathematically to specific products. The whole process is certified by an independent auditor to verify the use of renewable resources across all stages of production. Mass balance is a way to keep track of the renewable quantities throughout the process and to allocate them to specific products. It allows for large-scale production and enables cost-effective solutions.

The mass balance certification scheme is a well-established chain of custody approach in the chemical industry and used by many leading companies in the chemical industry. It provides drop-in solutions, using existing production plants. Therefore offering a cost effective and quick way towards a climate neutral industry.