Borealis Commits to Finnish Circular Economy Green Deal, Driving Sustainability in Plastics Production

Borealis Commits to Finnish Circular Economy Green Deal, Driving Sustainability in Plastics Production

(IN BRIEF) Borealis has joined the Finnish Environment Ministry’s Circular Economy Green Deal, committing to promoting a low-carbon, circular economy. The company plans to use 30 kilotons of Finnish plastic waste as raw material by 2035 and improve its energy efficiency by 360 GWh. Borealis’ efforts will support Finland’s sustainability goals by reducing reliance on virgin raw materials and enhancing local plastic recycling. The initiative aligns with the company’s long-term vision of carbon-neutral production and energy efficiency.

(PRESS RELEASE) VIENNA, 18-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Borealis has joined the Finnish Environment Ministry’s Circular Economy Green Deal (KGD), a significant step towards advancing Finland’s shift to a low-carbon, circular economy. The initiative, announced on September 12, 2024, is a voluntary commitment that encourages organizations to reduce their consumption of natural resources and adopt goals that promote a sustainable, circular economy.

As a pioneer in the Finnish plastics industry, Borealis is playing a leading role in the KGD program, which aims to promote the use of renewable raw materials, carbon-neutral production, and an efficient circular economy for plastics. This initiative is aligned with Borealis’ long-standing commitment to sustainability and its ™ mission to accelerate action on circularity.

Driving Change in Finland’s Plastics Industry

Borealis, which operates a large manufacturing site in Porvoo, is a key producer of polyethylene and polypropylene plastics. These materials are essential for many industries and are highly recyclable. In line with the KGD’s objectives, Borealis has set an ambitious target to use 30 metric kilotons of Finnish plastic waste as raw material by 2035. This initiative underscores Borealis’ focus on replacing virgin plastic materials with high-quality recycled plastics, without compromising on their durability and performance.

Jaakko Tuomainen, SPIRIT Development Program Manager at Borealis, highlights the importance of this initiative: “The Circular Economy Green Deal provides a much-needed long-term vision for sustainability. By focusing on circularity and renewable materials, Finland’s plastics industry will not only reduce its environmental impact but also create new business opportunities.”

Collaboration Across the Recycling Value Chain

Borealis recognizes that achieving a fully functional plastics recycling ecosystem requires collaboration. The company aims to partner with key operators involved in waste collection, sorting, and the processing of plastic waste. This will ensure that Finnish plastic waste is recycled within the country, reducing the need for exports and promoting a more localized circular economy.

“As a producer of plastic raw materials, Borealis is committed to developing solutions that enable the recycling of waste-based materials into high-quality plastics. We believe that keeping Finnish plastic waste in Finland for recycling is crucial,” adds Tuomainen.

Focus on Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Production

In addition to its circular economy goals, Borealis has made a firm commitment to improving energy efficiency as part of its second KGD pledge. The company aims to increase its energy efficiency by 360 GWh by 2035, using 2022 as the baseline. This effort is part of Borealis’ broader vision of achieving carbon-neutral production, an essential aspect of its sustainability strategy.

Satu Kosonen-Kaija, Managing Director of Borealis Polymers Oy, emphasizes the importance of this approach: “Energy efficiency is central to our sustainability efforts. By reducing energy consumption, we not only lower our environmental impact but also enhance our competitiveness. This aligns with Borealis’ mission of reinventing essentials for sustainable living.”

A Collaborative Path to a Circular Future

The Circular Economy Green Deal provides a clear framework for the future, where companies like Borealis can drive positive environmental impact through sustainable production practices. Borealis’ commitment to recycling, renewable materials, and energy efficiency highlights its leadership in the plastics industry and its contribution to Finland’s broader sustainability goals.

As Borealis continues to work towards its 2035 targets, the company is set to play a crucial role in shaping a greener future for the Finnish plastics industry. By collaborating with partners across the recycling value chain and prioritizing energy efficiency, Borealis is reinforcing its commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Media Contact:

Group Media Desk
+43 1 22 400 899 (Vienna, Austria)
media@borealisgroup.com

SOURCE: Borealis AG