Global Commitment 2021 Signatory Report

Borealis is a leading provider of polyolefins and base chemicals. Our solutions address challenges in the areas of climate, energy, food, health, water and sanitation, and the mechanical recycling of polyolefins. We create ever more value by developing new approaches, technologies and products.

Africa: Southern Africa

America: Central America, Northern America, South America

Asia: Eastern Asia, South-eastern Asia, Western Asia

Europe: Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe

Post-consumer recycled content: 1.9% (100% from mechanical recycling; 0% from chemical recycling)

Pre-consumer recycled content: 0%

See endnotes for more information on quantitative data

During 2020, Borealis:

– initiated a closed-loop pilot in Belgium to test the advantages of a double-closed loop reuse and recycling system;

– launched five circular grades, including recyclates and compounds with recycling content as for example, together with MENSHEN, a new packaging closure with post-consumer recycled resin;

– pioneered digital watermarks for smart packaging recycling;

– had five European polyolefin production locations in Austria, Belgium, Finland and Sweden ISCC PLUS certified;

– commercialised The Bornewables portfolio of circular premium polyolefins made with renewable raw materials;

– ran a blockchain pilot to enable the traceability of plastics; and

– secured a EUR 250 million European Investment Bank loan to support Borealis’ research, development and innovation programme in the circular economy sphere.

Borealis remains fully committed to advancing the development of a broader and more circular offering. The Group will continue to expand its range of circular solutions, based on a growing range of technologies. As true circularity can only be implemented in a joint effort, Borealis will develop these solutions in close collaboration with partners across the value chain. Furthermore, Borealis is engaged in several innovative projects with a longer-term horizon, which might usher in the circular economy of tomorrow. One example is the cooperation with Lafarge Zementwerke, OMV and VERBUND, where the partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the joint planning and construction of a full-scale plant by 2030 to capture CO2 and process it into synthetic fuels, plastics or other chemicals. The project has the potential to significantly reduce emissions from cement production and establish CO2 as a valuable raw material for Borealis to manufacture value-added plastics.

Borealis is helping establish circular infrastructure in Southeast Asia by way of Project STOP. Borealis and the partners in Project STOP have earmarked nearly EUR 14 million for investment to the year 2025 for circular economy solutions that address the issue of marine plastic pollution. Since the project launch (in 2017), it has, e.g., created 168 new full-time jobs; provided waste collection services to around 133,580 people and collected ~8,100 tonnes of waste (~1,118 tonnes of plastic).

In 2020, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Borealis successfully closed a benchmark financing agreement that supports Borealis’ research, development and innovation programme in the circular economy sphere. The EIB will provide a EUR 250 million loan supporting Borealis’ multi-year investment programme in the area of plastics circularity, in line with its objectives to support innovation, climate action and sustainability.

Many polyolefin applications do not accept recycled content (i.e., wires, cables, food contact). Figures would look very different, if questions would only address the applications where recyclates can be used.