Mass balance standard/Standards and certification schemes related to the mass balance approach
With mass balance methods, the transition can be promoted in the process industry. Greater awareness and understanding of the mass balance concept when it comes to the production of chemicals, materials and fuels from renewable and/or recycled raw materials is therefore needed. This is achieved by mapping and assessing the status of existing standards and certifications in the field, which were then tested in case studies.
Using mass balance standards can be a cost-effective way to gradually transition to greener chemistry. There are already established mass balance concepts in society within, for example, green electricity, bio-based fuels, FSC labeling of forests, etc. Going directly from 100% fossil to 100% renewable/recycled raw material in the current production of materials and chemicals is for several reasons an unreasonable step to take, and we need to enable a gradual transition instead.
With the mass balance concept, a certain volume of renewable or recycled raw material is taken in, via a certified system, mixed with fossil raw material. The same amount of renewable or recycled product is then sold via a certified system. Working according to the mass balance concept is a way of gradually transitioning to renewable raw materials, and the advantages are, for example, that you do not need to make extensive new investments or lower the productivity of existing production facilities to start the transition. The transition is initiated and accelerated to a more sustainable production of materials and chemicals by being able to use existing processes, factories and infrastructures.
Through an increased understanding of and relevant use of the mass balance concept, the project is expected to facilitate the transition to materials and chemicals based on renewable or recycled raw materials. This enables the use of existing infrastructure and equipment instead of building separate facilities for bio-based/recycled raw materials.
The project's goal is to provide a clear picture of existing standards and certifications that are currently used for mass balance standards in the chemical industry. This information must be communicated to important stakeholders, such as authorities, companies, procuring organisations, NGOs and consumers.
Period
2019-06-01 – 2020-02-28
Participating Parties
Chalmers Industriteknik, BASF, Borealis, Hållbar Kemi 2030, IVL, Nouryon and Perstorp
Total budget
SEK 496,000
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