Clariant and OMV partner to boost renewable ethylene supply

Clariant, a specialty chemical company with a focus on sustainability, has entered into a partnership with OMV to enhance the supply of renewable ethylene in Europe. This collaboration aims to reduce the carbon footprint of ethylene oxide derivatives used across various industries, in response to increasing consumer demand for sustainable solutions.

This partnership allows Clariant to expand its bio-based ethylene oxide derivatives portfolio by utilising OMV’s renewable low-carbon footprint ethylene. The companies plan to remove fossil carbon from the supply chain, helping them and their customers meet sustainability goals.

Christian Vang, business president of Care Chemicals at Clariant, emphasised that this collaboration will help Clariant offer low-carbon footprint ethoxylates and strengthen its supply chain within Europe. Since 2022, Clariant has been successfully supplying its global customers with bio-based ethoxylates through its joint venture in India. Ethoxylates are a class of chemical compounds that result from the reaction of ethylene oxide with substrates, such as alcohols, acids, or phenols. Ethoxylates are used in the lubricant industry in emulsifiers, detergents and dispersants, anti-foaming agents or foam stabilisers, surface wetting agents and corrosion inhibitors.

Daniela Vlad, executive vice president of Chemicals at OMV, stated that this partnership supports OMV’s commitment to a circular economy, providing a more flexible and sustainable supply chain. The agreement includes exploring new strategies for sustainability, sharing research findings, and conducting joint Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies.

OMV has been expanding its renewable and circular production capabilities in its refineries in Germany and Austria. The company aims to achieve a 30% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions and a 20% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030, aligning with its Strategy 2030 goals.

Both Clariant and OMV are members of the UN Global Compact, underlining their commitment to corporate sustainability. The collaboration is expected to facilitate industry-wide CO2 reduction strategies throughout Europe.