Chemelot unfolds concrete plans for a climate neutral chemistry site in 2050

Today, Chemelot (the biggest chemical site in the Netherlands, situated in Sittard-Geleen) unfolded her plans and ambitions for a climate neutral site in 2050 and offered this plan to the members of the Young Climate movement and the Climate and Energy Dome, the network of young professionals in energy- and climate issues. We chose this club because they play a big role in final execution and support for the energy transition. The plans are also offered to involved parliamentarians. The plans are also the base for the input of Chemelot for the Climate Agreement, which will be signed later this year.

Chemelot has worked hard to a concrete plan for a complete climate neutral site in 2050 with the parties SABIC, OCI Nitrogen, DSM, the Brightlands Chemelot Campus and governments. It is an ambitious plan in which the involvement and commitment of the government is necessary. At some terrains, techniques need to be developed, sometimes the legislation should be adapted or infrastructure should be created. Besides that, it’s necessary to develop robust financial arrangements to realize some things. Together with our plans and projects, we have made certain conditions that are necessary for realizing the drafted ambitions.

In the proposal, the directives for the plans of 2050 are presented with the associated conditions. Besides, there’s a concrete list of projects for a possible CO2 reduction of circa 50% in 2030. Chemelot has a clear vision to operate climate neutral in 2050, causing all products, that Chemelot makes, are also available in the future, but then sustainable. For this, Chemelot focuses on enhancing sustainable raw materials and energy. So it’s not only an energy transition but also an industry transition.

Five program lines will help to enhance sustainability:

1. Electrification based on green energy

2. Bio raw materials

3. Circularity

4. Process improvement and optimalization

5. Carbon Capture & Storage and Carbon Capture & Usage

In the current situation Chemelot gets two big fossil streams by pipeline; natural gas and naphtha. These are used as a raw material and as energy carrier. By enhancing these streams and switching to sustainable electricity for energy supply, we could preserve all plants at Chemelot. The degree of connection between plants offers unique chances, but coordination of these steps is key.

To make this vision worth, development of technology is necessary by using pilot projects and – on the long term – demo projects. With the combination of Campus and Industrial Park, Chemelot is particular suitable for technology-developments, also for other clusters.

On the road to 2050, several steps can be taken until 2030, mainly in the field of the two green raw materials and partial electrification. Besides, some steps are possible in energy efficiency, the reduction of N2O, CCU (input of CO2 as a raw material) and CCS (CO2 storage) as a temporary solution.

Chemelot developed these plans in close cooperation with the province of Limburg and will pursue working on practical translation and elaboration of these plans.

Interested in the flyer? Read here