Arkema: A Catalyst for Green Transformation
Danny Foong
General Manager, High Performance Polymers
Arkema
How does Arkema’s new plant in Singapore, the world’s largest integrated bio-factory for high performance polymers, embody circular economy principles?
Arkema’s new plant in Singapore embodies circular economy principles from beginning to end, from the construction of the plant to the flagship product – Rilsan® polyamide 11. It will be the world’s largest integrated bio-factory dedicated to advanced bio-circular polymers using only renewable castor oil as its primary feedstock.
Rilsan® polyamide 11 is an advanced bio-circular material derived from renewable castor beans, with sustainability embedded across every single stage of the product’s value chain. It is one of the most sustainable manufacturing materials that can be used to produce widely used products such as running shoes, medical products, and automotive parts. As such, it plays a critical role in greening manufacturing lines, as any product made using Rilsan® polyamide 11 becomes more sustainable.
Upstream: The castor seed is a renewable crop that does not compete with food needs and does not cause eforestation. In addition, the supply is backed by a sustainable and social cultivation programme (Pragati Sustainable Castor Initiative) to help farmers increase crop yield through good agricultural practices, adoption of good waste management practices and effective use of water resources.
Downstream: Virtucycle®, Arkema’s virtuous recycle programme allows customers to partner with Arkema in post-industrial and post-consumer recycling projects.
The plant itself was designed using immersive simulation tools, enabling us to model installations entirely in 3D paperless modes. 3D plant modelling also enables identification of areas for improvement to reduce wastage during construction.
As for plant operations, we have worked hard to minimise its environmental impact through an optimised supply chain, use of low-CO₂-emission heat source, high energy efficiency, and the use of the best available technologies to minimise air missions and water intensity. This ensures that the new plant meets the highest industrial standards in terms of safety, environment and energy.
How does the new Singapore plant contribute to meeting the strong demand for polyamide 11 in Asia and enhance the company’s global supply chain flexibility?
Over the past five years, we have witnessed double-digit year-on-year growth in demand for advanced bio-circular materials from our customers in Asia. This is driven by their desire for both high performance materials and sustainable solutions for their businesses. Previously, our site at Marseille, France was the only one that manufactures amino 11, supplying a global network of polymerisation facilities. To better meet the growing demand in Asia, we wanted to bring our expertise and innovation in creating sustainable materials to the region. This is also in line with Arkema’s strategy to supply the region from within the region.
With the new Singapore plant, our global capacity for Rilsan® polyamide 11 will increase by 50%, which will help bridge the gap between demand and supply here in Asia, particularly in fast-growing sectors such as new energy vehicles, 3D printing as well as consumer goods, electronics, sports and lifestyle markets.
