Plan centred on new tech, carbon pricing essential to hit Biden CO2 target – ACC

HOUSTON (ICIS)– The American Chemistry Council (ACC) stressed on Thursday the importance of policy to enable the reduction of carbon emissions after President Joe Biden’s pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% by 2030.

Biden made the announcement at the Leaders Summit.

The ACC has put forward a three-point plan centred around developing and deploying clean manufacturing technology, pricing carbon, and promoting the adoption of emission-reducing solutions, such as carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS).

“The proposals we’re putting forward are concrete steps that could help the Biden Administration advance its goals announced today,” said ACC President and CEO Chris Jahn.

Biden’s target calls for a steep and rapid decline of fossil fuels in likely all sectors of the American economy, including the manufacturing and chemical sector.

Chemical manufacturing represents 3-4% of all US green house gas (GHG) emissions, according to the ACC.

The chemical industry has already taken steps toward developing new technologies to capture and reduce emissions and improve process efficiency in the sector.

Recently, BASF, SABIC and Linde have signed an agreement to jointly develop electrically heated steam cracker furnaces.

Dow and Shell are also researching ways to electrify steam crackers to reduce CO2 emissions.

Longer term, plants could rely on hydrogen to generate heat.

“Our industry is committed to reducing emissions in the manufacture and use of our products, and we’re developing and implementing a host of exciting new technologies to do that,” said ACC Board Chair and Dow Chairman and CEO Jim Fitterling.

“Our teams understand the role our innovation will play in leading us to a low carbon economy and mitigating the impacts of climate change,” he added.

In addition, stricter emission standards could speed up the adoption of electrical vehicles (EV). These consume more plastics and chemicals than those powered by internal combustion engines.

Already, Dow and Celanese are anticipating larger demand for their products if electric vehicles become more common.

“Meeting climate goals will be impossible without a vibrant chemical industry and the energy-saving and renewable applications its products enable – from solar panels and wind turbines to electric and fuel-efficient vehicles, high-performance building materials, advanced batteries, and more,” said Jahn.

Additional reporting by Joseph Chang, Al Greenwood, Jonathan Lopez and Graeme Paterson

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