SABIC, Scientific Design (SD) and Linde Engineering, a subsidiary of Linde have inked a deal to explore collaboration opportunities to decarbonize the SD ethylene glycol process. The collaboration seeks to develop innovative solutions to reduce carbon footprint and achieve low-carbon emissions technology by offering SABIC’s innovative CO2 recovery and purification technology to SD licensed manufacturing glycol plants worldwide. The aim is to establish sustainable ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol production for carbon-neutral industries.
Bob Maughon, Executive Vice President, Technology and Innovation, CTO and CSO at SABIC stated, “At SABIC we have outlined a clear pathway toward carbon neutrality that necessitates the advancement of innovative technologies on a large scale, both within our existing asset base and in our future growth. Through embracing innovation and fostering collaboration, we are developing new technologies and processes to drive our journey toward carbon neutrality. Our carbon capture strategy and this new opportunity to collaborate with Linde Engineering, demonstrates the importance of leveraging our technological expertise to transform waste products into valuable resources demonstrating the Circular Carbon Economy framework”.
John van der Velden, Senior Vice President Global Sales and Technology, Linde Engineering commented, “I’m happy that SABIC and Linde Engineering will work together to decarbonize this major petrochemical building block. We have an established and long-standing history of collaboration between our two companies, which builds on the complementary strength and expertise of our organisations. By combining SABIC’s SD gas processing technology with Linde’s expertise in capturing and liquefying CO2, plus our strong track record in designing, executing and operating plants, we hope to find solutions that support a carbon neutral petrochemical industry”.
Atieh Abu Raqabah, SD CEO added, “We are excited to embark on this journey with SABIC and Linde Engineering, integrating SABIC’s CO2 capture and purification technology into our EO/EG production processes. It will enable us to capture and purify CO2 emissions generated during our EO/EG production processes, thereby mitigating the environmental impact. The strategic collaboration aligns with our steadfast commitment to sustainability and also positions SABIC Scientific Design as a leader in offering Zero Carbon Ready EO/ EG Technology”.
The collaboration will leverage SABIC’s proprietary CO2 technology, which has already demonstrated its effectiveness at the carbon capture and utilization (CCU) plant at SABIC affiliate, United. The technology has the capacity to recover and purify up to 5,00,000 metric tons (MT) of CO2 per year, which would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere during ethylene glycol production. The captured CO2 can be converted into valuable products such as urea, a vital agri-nutrient that enhances agricultural yields, methanol, a versatile building block for various chemicals, and liquefied CO2, widely used in the food and beverage industry.
The press release stated that in 2021, SABIC announced its carbon neutrality commitment; 20% reduction by 2030 Interim Scope 1&2 emissions target compared to 2018 and carbon neutral by 2050 in line with the Paris agreement goals. The company’s carbon neutrality roadmap comprises five critical pathways; energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and green/blue hydrogen.
