Mass Balance | Eastman Circular Economy

Defining mass balance

Mass balance is an accepted and certified protocol that documents and tracks recycled content through complex manufacturing systems. It is used when sustainable inputs like recycled plastic are mixed with traditional inputs like fossil-fuel-based feedstock.

At Eastman, we utilize both sources to produce identical building blocks for materials. Due to their identical nature, it is impossible to trace the exact molecules to the end products. However, we can accurately record the amount of recycled plastic used in manufacturing and balance it with the certified recycled content in the final products.

How mass balance works:

1. Plastic waste is fed into Eastman’s molecular recycling technologies instead of fossil-fuel feedstock.
2. The plastic waste is broken down into building-block molecules, which are then introduced into the production systems. This results in a reduced need for molecules purchased or produced from fossil fuels.
3. The quantity and identity of the recycled molecules are recorded in an inventory that maintains an accurate count of each recycled molecule. It is important to note that these molecules are indistinguishable from the building blocks produced with fossil feedstock.
4. Since Eastman tracks the exact number of molecules required to produce each Eastman Renew product, the corresponding number of molecules is deducted from the inventory upon production.
5. In accordance with mass balance standards, Eastman is prohibited from selling more Renew products than it has created from recycling waste plastic.
6. Additional waste plastic is fed into the system to replenish the inventory.

The alternative to mass balance would be constructing a separate and redundant infrastructure. Duplicating the numerous reactors, purification columns, storage tanks, polymerization lines, and packaging and distribution systems would result in significant environmental impact and require decades to complete.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The article discusses the concept of mass balance, which is a protocol used to track recycled content in manufacturing systems. This aligns with SDG 12, which aims to promote responsible consumption and production.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The article mentions the alternative to mass balance, which would require building a separate and redundant infrastructure. This relates to SDG 9, which focuses on promoting sustainable industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse

The article discusses how mass balance is used to track and increase the use of recycled plastic in manufacturing processes. This aligns with the target of reducing waste generation through recycling and reuse.

Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes

The article mentions the environmental impact and time required to build a separate infrastructure for recycling. This highlights the importance of upgrading existing infrastructure to make it sustainable and adopting environmentally sound technologies and processes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies two indicators:

1. Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling rate, tons of material recycled
2. Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emissions per unit of value added in manufacturing industries

The first indicator measures the national recycling rate and the amount of material recycled, which can be used to track progress towards reducing waste generation through recycling. The second indicator measures CO2 emissions per unit of value added in manufacturing industries, which can be used to assess the sustainability and resource-use efficiency of industrial processes.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: eastman.com

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