Turning off the Tap for Fossil Carbon – Future Prospects for a Global Chemical and Derived Material Sector Based on Renewable Carbon

New study on the feedstock for global chemical and derived material sector and future prospects for the transition from fossil to renewable carbon sources

In a new study, total carbon embedded in products from the chemical and derived material sector is examined on a global scale. This includes product groups like plastics, rubbers, textile fibres, detergents and personal care solutions. For the first time ever, total global amount of embedded carbon is calculated, visualized and connected to the different feedstocks. Furthermore, end-user applications are investigated and depicted. A 2050 scenario is introduced, which outlines future prospects to transition from fossil to renewable carbon sources. Solutions for the highly interconnected chemical industry are illustrated together with supporting policy measures. This report aims to raise awareness of the need for, and the technical, industrial and political feasibility of, the biggest transformation of the chemical and derived material sector since the industrial revolution.

Authors

Ferdinand Kähler, Michael Carus, Olaf Porc and Christopher vom Berg

Date of publication

Apr 2021

Pages

34

Language

File type

PDF

Downloads

2,943