English
Nederlands And why, when assessing “greenness”, numbers speak louder than words
Green business is also good business. But can you prove it? Customers don’t want marketing slogans. They want hard data. To provide it, Teijin Aramid has teamed up with downstream partner Pipelife. The two companies are working together on an Eco-Efficiency Analysis (EEA) that will quantify the environmental and economic impact of using Soluforce, a corrosionresistant Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipe (RTP), produced by Pipelife. Soluforce’s General Manager, John Newbert, explains why he is absolutely confident that the EEA will establish both the business case and environmental rationale for using the Pipelife products.
Corrosive crude
When oil and gas first gushes out of the ground, it is usually part of a highly corrosive chemical mixture. Yet the traditional material for transporting this mixture is steel – which is prone to corrosion. Soluforce was developed as a direct alternative, one that could not be eaten away by whatever was being transported. The pipe is made of high-density polyethylene thermoplastic reinforced with Twaron cords. It is used on four continents, both onshore and offshore, and can last up to 50 years. While cutting corrosion is the product’s headline benefit, John is quick to point out that it offers other advantages as well. “Using Soluforce pipes dramatically reduces leaks – which reduces both environmental damage and downtime. They also eliminate the need to use chemical corrosion inhibitors – which are both expensive and environmentally hazardous. Last but not least, they are quick to install, lightweight and re-usable.”
Demand for data
With such great claims for the benefits of using Soluforce, why conduct an EEA? “The Oil & Gas giants and their contractors are very keen to protect and improve their environmental safety records,” says John. “Plus, they are also highly risk-averse. Claims alone aren’t enough. They’re hungry for the level of transparency provided by an Eco-Efficiency Analysis. If we can measure all the pluses and minuses of producing, using and disposing of Soluforce, then we can give our customers the information they need in order to determine the most sustainable way for them to extract natural resources.”
A wide perspective
That information will be based on data from three sources: (1) the total quantity of greenhouse gases emitted in producing the end product and all its components (including sourcing the raw materials); (2) the amount of emissions that are saved while the end product is actually in use; and (3) the amount of emissions and savings made during disposal or recycling (See Aramid Vision May 2010, on our website, for more information). But the two companies don’t propose to gather all this information alone. “It would be impossible,” says John. “Rather, we’ll need help from everyone in the value chain, both upstream and downstream. Luckily for us, Teijin Aramid has just recently conducted several EEA pilots, which means they have plenty of valuable experience we can draw on together.” Teijin Aramid is also bringing external expertise to the table. During its own EEAs, Teijin Aramid was supported by AkzoNobel and chemical company BASF, which together
Value for the whole chain
John is certain that Soluforce will prove far greener than steel, and he’s looking forward to being able to share that proof. “Right now, we can tell our customers: ‘These tough, long-lasting pipes reduce leaks, which protects the environment, minimizes maintenance and cuts clean-up costs’. Once the EEA is completed, however, we will be able to put a figure next to those claims, and then back up those figures with hard data. That’s the true value of the EEA for us – and for our customers.”
“Luckily for us, Teijin Aramid has just recently conducted several EEA pilots, which means they have plenty of valuable experience we can draw on together.”
