Evonik has begun releasing life cycle assessment (LCA) information for its VESTAMID polyamide and TROGAMID transparent polyamide products as part of its High-Performance Polymers Plastics Database. This strategic initiative underscores the business line’s dedication to transparency and accountability to its customers, particularly concerning the circularity and sustainability of its offerings. Currently, LCA data is available for more than 100 products, with plans to expand this information for additional products in the future.

“Transparency is crucial for making informed decisions about sustainability, and we are committed to sharing this data with both our current and prospective customers. This information enables them to align with their own sustainability goals as well as those of their clients,” explains Dominic Stoerkle, head of Evonik’s Long Chain Polyamides product line within the High-Performance Polymers division. By providing these insights, we empower our customers to make responsible choices that support their sustainability ambitions.

A life cycle assessment (LCA) is a systematic approach used to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with every stage of a product's life cycle. This includes the extraction of raw materials, materials processing, product use, and eventual disposal. By analyzing these stages comprehensively, LCAs provide valuable insights into a product's overall sustainability and help identify opportunities for reducing its environmental footprint.

“At Evonik, our commitment to creating a more sustainable future is fundamental to our operations. We have set a goal to derive more than 50% of our sales by 2030 from our 'Next Generation Solutions.' These products and solutions are designed to have a sustainability profile that notably surpasses market standards,” explains Florian Hermes, director of sustainable business solutions within Evonik’s High Performance Polymers division. This objective underscores our focus on innovation that positively contributes to sustainability efforts.

“When it comes to sustainability, transparency and accountability to our customers are essential. For example, the life cycle assessment data reveals that our VESTAMID eCO LX9039 BBM100 has a carbon footprint of 2.7 kg CO2eq per kilogram of product, along with blue water consumption of 27 kg. This product is designed for applications like toothbrush filament manufacturing, allowing producers using our polyamide 12 to provide their customers with clear evidence of the advantages of using a material made with renewable energy and 100% biobased carbon through a mass-balanced approach,” states Hermes.