Sasol Climate Change Report 2023 - Book - Page 40
INTRODUCTION
TRANSFORMING FOR RESILIENCE
GOVERNANCE
CLIMATE ADVOCACY AND POLICY
DATA AND ASSURANCE
CHEMICALS BUSINESS CONTINUED
NANJING GREENING ITS ELECTRICITY
OTHER CLIMATE-ACTION DEVELOPMENTS
Progressing ISCC PLUS certifications
FEATURE STORY
International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS supports
the circular and bio-economy by offering certification that promotes
environmentally, socially and economically sustainable production. Sasol
Chemicals9 German operations in Brunsbüttel and Marl and its site
in Augusta, Italy have been ISCC PLUS certified for their use of bio-based
and circular feedstocks on a mass balance basis to replace fossil-based
feedstocks.
Our Nanjing, China plant already receives 30% of its energy requirement from green sources. Shentu
Hongxing, VP Operations China, and Yaling Liang, Manager Technical Services China, explain how and why
Nanjing is greening its electricity supply.
This certification offers our customers assurance on the sustainability of
the Business9s feedstock input. Further expansion of the ISCC certification
approach is currently being evaluated in line with customer demand.
USING LCA TO UNDERSTAND VALUE CHAIN IMPACTS
More than half of all Sasol Chemicals European production sites have
completed lifecycle assessments (LCAs) to determine the carbon footprints
of their portfolios. This is used to conduct 8hotspot9 analyses for:
" supporting on-site scope 1 and 2 GHG reductions;
" identifying scope 3-related GHG reduction opportunities; and
" enabling engagement with interested suppliers and customers.
SHENTU HONGXING// VP Operations Nanjing
Sasol Chemicals continues to refine and update its LCA work and align with
international best practice such as the Together for Sustainability guidelines
for product carbon footprints in the chemicals industry.
YALING LIANG // Manager Technical Services
BRUNSBÜTTEL INVESTS IN THE FUTURE
What is the current relevance of renewable
energy in China?
What was the reason for purchasing part of your electricity
from renewable sources?
Shentu: Renewable energy is becoming
extremely important for China as the
government works to reduce the country9s
reliance on fossil fuels and transition to a
low-carbon economy. Investments in renewable
energy have grown dramatically in recent years,
establishing China as a global leader in
renewable energy.
Yaling: There are several reasons: First, the Chinese green electricity
market trading rules and system were improved. Second, we want
to contribute to Sasol9s climate change management approach.
Furthermore, green electricity is an emerging but still limited
market. This will allow us to develop long-term relationships with
green electricity suppliers.
What sustainability goals are Sasol
pursuing at the Nanjing plant?
Shentu: Although Sasol China makes a limited
contribution to the overall GHG reduction
targets of the Group, we are aiming to improve
energy efficiency. We have transformed our
operations as much as we can 3 for the
environment and to give our customers products
with low-carbon footprints.
Through a state-of-the-art new research, development and analytics centre
in Brunsbüttel, Germany, Sasol Chemicals is aiming to support the
development of new SAF opportunities.
The centre, which opened in April 2023, boasts:
" 7 000 m2 of floor space;
" 82 evaluation workstations;
" 140 modern workplaces; and
What type of renewable energy is used at the plant?
" 35 offices.
Yaling: Our current power supplier provides us with electricity from
wind, solar and hydropower plants. We received our first green
electricity in January 2023. The rest is sourced from coal.
Using advanced equipment and skilled staff, the centre aims to analyse up
to 200 000 samples a year. Work has already being carried out on FT
catalyst carriers, which plays a key role in the large-scale production of
green paraffin for aviation and other sustainable uses.
Are there plans to increase the amount of renewable energy
at the Nanjing site?
Yaling: Progress depends on several factors such as the availability
of green electricity in the market, authorisations, the additional cost
of green electricity procurement and the demand for low-carbon
products. In the long term, Sasol China aims to convert from 30% to
100% renewable energy.
SASOL CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT 2023
39
In addition, negotiations are underway for an 11 hectare solar park at
Brunsbüttel, to produce up to 15GWh per year of renewable electricity.
Once completed, the new park will be directly connected to the internal
grid. Solar power will be balanced by electricity from the adjacent
wind park.