Assessment of site-specific greenhouse gas emissions of chemical producers: Case studies of propylene and toluene diisocyanate

The chemical industry accounts for 20% of global industrial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the plastics production is increasing worldwide by approx. 4% annually. To reduce GHG increase transparency in value chains despite secrets, we developed an approach to estimate product carbon footprint chemicals site-specifically without using classified data. new approach, applied two comparative case studies: propylene toluene diisocyanate (TDI) Germany. study analyses 23 crackers on 17 sites four TDI results indicate significant variations between productions (Cradle-to-Gate) that could not be quantified before. Among sites, product-specific range 0.95 1.51 kgCO2e/kg (reduction potential 37.1%) 3.17 3.62 12.4%). This indicates massive differences efficiency immense emission reduction manufacture plastic-intensive products (e.g. automotive sector) increased informed supplier selection procurement decision making. method transferable even higher worldwide.