Society Key objective:
To reduce by 20% the direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions related to our production by 2020 (base 2006)
In contrast, the energy-from-biomass project in Tavaux has been suspended, as the partner could not guarantee a competitive supply of biomass. A new project is under study.
Waste management and recycling Solvay is concentrating its efforts on reducing industrial waste, especially waste classified as hazardous. The objective is to reduce waste to a minimum, to BAT1 levels where these exist, and with a long-term objective of zero waste, in particular through recycling.
1. “Best Available Techniques“ Best available techniques from an environmental perspective. See the assurance report by Ernst & Young on pp. 6-7 of the complementary document: ‘Sustainability indicators 2010’ on the website: www.solvay.com/ EN/Lit/Literature.aspx
Solvay Annual Report 2010
Regarding product end-of-use waste, the VINYLOOP® plant at Ferrara, Italy (PVC recycling) has since early 2010 included technical equipment for recycling textile-coated tarpaulins (TEXILOOP®). In addition, SolVin, through its customers, is seeking to promote the development of highadded-value recycled products. The markets for the SOLVAIR®NEUTREC® flue-gas cleaning range continue to grow in the US, Europe and Asia with initial applications in Africa. In 2010, the first installation using the NOVOSOL® sediment treatment process was inaugurated in Belgium.
The three thrusts of this policy, which is exercised through the Ernest Solvay Fund, were redefined in 2010: 1. Support for scientific research: such as the International Institutes for Physics and Chemistry of the Université libre de Bruxelles, founded by Ernest Solvay, support of the Nobel Week held in Brussels in May and continued support of SolVin explorations of biodiversity, this time in Mozambique and Madagascar. 2. Support for science and technology education and training: For example for a training program for German teachers on fuel cell technology, and the ‘science bus’ XperiLAB.be®, co-funded by Solvay for the Royal Institute of Natural Sciences of Belgium, which will visit Belgian schools. 3. Targeted support to humanitarian and development actions: We can mention here the citizen aid by the staff of Solvay Shared Services (Brazil) to disadvantaged young people in Guarituba and a partnership with the city of Curitiba to provide clothing and auxiliary heaters for the elderly. Also a program to support reconstruction in Haiti by Solvay America (USD 100 000) and the shipment of 300 refurbished computers to the same country, the continuation of the Coral project in Thailand using PVC structures for establishing of new corals, or again the Earth Home Cultural Center, which is helping tsunami victims in the province of Phang-Nga (Thailand).
Energy consumption relative to production activities Development since 2006 on a constant scope basis 100%
100
Percentage
50
Over the next three years, savings in primary energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions as a result of projects decided or budgeted in 2011 should reach 6.5% and 9%, compared with the 2006 reference year and on a constant scope basis, putting Solvay on track to achieve the objectives it has set itself for 2020.
Corporate citizenship and philanthropy initiatives specified
100%
101.3%
104.7% 98.7% (201.6 10 3 terajoules)
90
80 80% of 2006 reference level
70
60 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2020 objective
Energy in primary fuels (coal, gas, oil, etc.) + purchased energy (steam, electricity)
% change as compared to 2006 (reference year); corrected each year for changes in the Group’s scope and in production volumes (further details in the complementary ‘Sustainability indicators 2010’ document on the website: www.solvay.com/EN/Lit/Literature.aspx)
Greenhouse gas emissions related to manufacturing activities Development since 2006 on a constant scope basis Direct and indirect CO2 equivalent emissions (Kyoto – Scope 1+2) 109.1%
100
Percentage
Energy and greenhouse gases
100%
97.7% 98.2%
95.3% (15.2 10 6 tons CO 2 equivalent)
90
80 80% of 2006 reference level
70
60 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2020 objective
Greenhouse gases according to the Kyoto definition (CO2, N2O, CH4, SF6, PFCs, HFCs).
Hazardous and non-hazardous waste generation 1 000 tons Total Total hazardous non-hazardous waste waste 2007
71.99
4 098.5
2008
57.01
4 116.3
2009
58.73
3 816.9
2010
59.56
3 658.2
Non-hazardous waste is composed largely of mineral inert waste, hazardous waste is that defined as such by national legislation.