Fibrant the right material choice at the beginning of the process that enables them to meet their sustainability ambitions . In reference to halving the carbon footprint of EcoLactam ^® , the company is now able to pass the benefits of this lowered environmental impact onto its customers . “ Speaking to brand owners and textile fabric manufacturers and educating them on the positive ecologic impact Ecolactam ^® has on the production of Nylon based products , was a big eye-opener to them ,” Olaf explains . “ We showed them a graph detailing the emissions caused by each step of the process , starting at the beginning with oil . It was clear to see that the largest contributor to the product ’ s carbon footprint is resultant of the production of caprolactam and therefore this is where we can make the biggest impact . With the introduction of EcoLactam ^® , we can reduce the ecologic footprint of nylon based products with up to 70 percent compared to the same products produced with traditional technologies . This , in combination with our large production capacity , really makes a huge positive impact on the ecologic footprint . With this we are a clear example of how the chemical industry can positively contribute to a sustainable world .”

Excellent example

Fibrant ’ s base is now located at Chemelot : a unique chemical and materials community that promotes the growth of individual associated businesses through the open exchange of ideas – a flexible concept that allows a number of smaller organizations to operate together as if they are one larger entity . According to Olaf , it encourages a greater sense of collaboration : “ We are part of a highly integrated chemical site called Chemelot , there are around 60 plants surrounded by only one fence , with lots of different owners here and there . We share municipalities , utilities and our emergency response system too , with our own fire brigade . We have a very unique system in which when something is happening , all of the plants work together – despite our different owners and directions . One of our main contractors is called Sitech , who we rely on for maintenance , permits , the fire response team and the execution of our projects .”

Fibrant is setting an excellent example for not only chemical engineers , but all manufacturers looking towards a greener future . We don ’ t necessarily have to abandon the products that we currently rely on , sometimes it ’ s a just a case of reforming and adapting current processes , by incorporating or disbanding byproducts , using expertise to focus on one specific area or educating others in the right way forward . ■

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