Redox partner DSM further explains the idea behind their new bio- and recycled –based plastics portfolio to be released by 2030. Read the full article by Shruti Singhal, President DSM Engineering Plastics, below.
For centuries, historians and archaeologists have named periods of human history by the technologies and materials that made the greatest impact on society – the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age. And our current age? Well, for me, that question can be answered with one word: plastics. More than any other material, plastic supports, shapes and enables the world around us – from the cars we drive to the computer or mobile device you are using to read this article on.
Now it’s time for a new age: an age where bio- and recycled-based plastics become increasingly common and sustainable, and where our continued quality of life does not need to harm our planet. With our world facing key challenges – including climate change, natural resource depletion and plastic waste pollution – customers and end consumers around the world instinctively understand that change is necessary and that tomorrow needs to be the cause of today.[1]
A greener and safer horizon
In view of these developments, I’m very proud that DSM is taking the next step in our sustainability journey in engineering plastics. We recently announced our ambitious plans to introduce bio- and recycled-based alternatives for our entire portfolio, which will be completed by 2030 at the latest. In this way, we are offering our customers the chance to choose a sustainable future – a future where they can improve their environmental impact without compromising their products or processes.
But – showing that we don’t just talk the walk, but also walk the walk – we will step up our efforts to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions. In line with DSM’s wider sustainability targets, DSM Engineering Plastics will reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2030 compared to 2016. Additionally, we will increase our proportion of purchased renewable energy from 63% to 75+%. And, of course, we will also continue driving our zero safety incidents culture – after all, our future is all about our people.
Together, we can make difference
I hope that our new sustainability targets will help chart a path to a brighter future not only for ourselves, but for our industry as a whole. By working together with our partners across the value chain – whether that’s our suppliers, customers or even competitors – we can help implement positive change throughout our industry and maximize impact around the world by driving the transition to a bio-based and circular economy.
The sustainability need is there, the consumer demand is there, the technology is there. Now we just need to make it happen! So, come with us, and let’s welcome in the age of bio- and recycled-based plastics.
[1] For example, it is estimated that renewable- or recycled-based materials will account for an estimated +15% market share in engineering plastics by 2030.
S, Singhal, 2019, ‘Welcome to the age of bio- and recycled-based plastics’, DSM Innovation Insights, December edition, viewed 17th December, <https://www.dsm.com/markets/engineering-plastics/en/blog/the-age-bio-and-recycled-based-plastics.html?utm_source=dep-newsletter&utm_medium=subscriber&utm_campaign=innovation-insights-2019-q4-december-week49-global>.
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