Biomass balance underscores larger challenges in implementing sustainable solutions

June 01, 2021 | Case Study

BASF has been one of the main chemical players gaining attention for the biomass balance approach, at least in recent years. The company uses some quantity of renewable resources like bio-naphtha or biogas along with standard petroleum-based inputs for chemicals and materials production. It then allocates a certain amount of renewable content to different portions of its output product mix. This approach allows BASF to reduce the carbon footprint of its products without needing to invest significant time and capital in new production routes. There is also no loss in product quality, as products are drop-in equivalents to the existing products on the market. The company has applied the approach to a wide portfolio, including superabsorbents, dispersions, plastics, and intermediates – many of which do not otherwise have a more sustainable replacement. Most recently, the company announced a partnership with Trinseo for producing more sustainable styrene.