BASF sites across North America receive mass balance certifications

As part of BASF’s efforts to develop circular economy solutions, multiple sites across North America earned REDcert² and ISCC PLUS mass balance certifications.

To achieve our purpose of creating chemistry for a sustainable future, it is key that we undergo a transformation of our value chain and reduce dependency on fossil raw materials, driving a circular economy. The mass balance approach is one way that we are leading this transition.

Mass balance allows alternative and conventional feedstocks to be co-processed in BASF’s multiple value chains. The sustainable inputs, which replace fossil resources, can then be attributed to specific outputs. The mass-balanced outputs are drop-in solutions for our customers as they have identical properties and performance to the original products.

Biomass Balance and ChemCycling^® are two ways in which we at BASF utilize the mass balance approach. Fossil raw materials are replaced with either renewable feedstock in the Biomass Balance approach or pyrolysis oil from recycling of plastic waste in the ChemCycling^® process at the beginning of the value chain.

Learn more about the mass balance approach

The certification process

An important part of mass balance is the certification of the chain of custody. We work with two highly credible, globally recognized mass balance schemes, REDcert² and ISCC PLUS.

To successfully complete an audit, the certification body reviews the inputs, outputs and all production and warehouse sites. Key factors reviewed during the audit include:

• The amount of alternative feedstock required to produce a ton of certified product, considering input yield and conversion factors;
• Verification that the sustainable feedstock meets the scheme’s criteria;
• Validation that during the balancing period, the amount of alternative feedstock was booked to the certified product;
• Verification that the amount of sustainable outputs sold did not exceed the amount of sustainable inputs generated during the balancing period.

These certifications ensure that a defined amount of circular or bio-based feedstock is used in our production sites in place of fossil feedstocks and that they are correctly attributed to the certified products.  

Our Biomass Balanced products provide our customers products with a reduced carbon footprint. Our ChemCycled^® products are a solution for customers who want to make a contribution to plastics circularity by ensuring carbon is kept in the loop. As Paul Bropleh III, Sustainability Manager for BASF Care Chemicals, explains, “Mass balance ensures sustainability through transparency. Guidelines, certifications, and tools provided by organizations and industry initiatives support companies in implementing mass balance systems. While challenges exist, such as standardized methodologies and collaboration among stakeholders, the positive environmental and social impacts are driving its acceptance.”

Certified sites

Multiple BASF sites have completed the REDcert² and ISCC PLUS certification process, including the largest North American integrated manufacturing sites in Geismar, Louisiana and Freeport, Texas.

• Monaca, Pennsylvania: certified acrylates, particularly the Acronal MB® portfolio of architectural coatings, which was launched to the market in October 2023.
• McIntosh, Alabama: certified antioxidants for plastic additives.
• Port Arthur, Texas: certified olefins through the ChemCycling® project in North America.
• Freeport, Texas: certified acrylates and polyamides
• Geismar, Louisiana: certified isocyanates, butanediol and derivatives, surfactants, and amines 
• Wyandotte, Michigan: certified engineering plastics
• Sparta, Tennessee: certified engineering plastics
• Altamira, Mexico: certified engineering plastics

Currently, BASF has over 100 certified products in North America. These products are sold to different industries, such as automotive, furniture, apparel, personal care, construction and more.

The next steps for BASF

Mass balance brings BASF, our customers, and the planet one step closer to a circular economy, and it’s gaining ground across the industry.

By incorporating these approaches into our supply chain, we can take an active role in the transition of the chemical industry. Additionally, as we increase the consumption of renewable and recycled feedstocks, our consumption of fossil resources decreases.

“One of the biggest challenges in decarbonizing the chemical industry is that carbon itself is essential to produce chemicals. Mass balance allows us to begin shifting the source of carbon from fossil resources to renewable and circular materials. We, therefore, have a tremendous opportunity to make a positive impact – for our customers and the planet,” reflects Jordan Keller, Senior Manager of Biomass Balance Solutions for North America. 

Published on June 12, 2024 by Mariana Licio.

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