Sustainability Studies
Decarbonisation Study
To better understand the contribution of silicones and silanes to the Green Deal, we commissioned a study analysing the individual role of silicones in achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions in certain products throughout their lifecycle. Its aim is to show the potential contribution of the silicone industry with respect to reaching a net-zero carbon society.
EU Decarbonisation
Study:
Silicones and
the EU Green Deal
Overall, every application in the study shows an emissions savings potential compared to alternatives without silicones, indicating the importance of the industry to support decarbonisation and the clear link between silicones and the EU Green Deal.
Methodology and results
The study is based on the methodology of a previous study on GHG-emissions and impacts of silicones, silanes, and siloxanes commissioned by the Global Silicone Council (GSC) in 2012. For each singular case study, the benefits of using silicone in the products were calculated on the basis of net benefits and benefit/impact ratios, dividing benefits by the impacts of production, covering the entire life cycle.
The results of this study confirmed the conclusions of the 2012 study: selected silicone-containing applications show CO2 savings potential throughout their lifecycle in comparison with their non-silicone alternatives.
In particular, applications in the energy industry and mobility sector were found to significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of the European economy.
The biggest potential towards future savings and a significant contribution to reducing CO2eq emissions in the EU lies in applications such as batteries/energy storage and LEDs. Out of all applications, the future GHG benefits for batteries are the highest. In addition, the mobility sector also shows great potential due to the share of electromobility in the passenger car market, which is expected to increase to 90% by 2050, leading to an almost complete substitution of fossil fuels and decrease
of emissions in the private mobility sector.
The relevant Greenhouse gas emission data for each application/cluster
(Compared to 2030, kg CO2 eq/KG)
Benefits of silicone applications, in numbers
| № | Name of Case Study | Net benefit of silicone product | Absolute EU GHG net benefits |
| Kg CO2/kg | 1.000t CO2eq | ||
| 1 | Automotive Bonding | -220,3 | -829 |
| 2 | Batteries/Energy Storage | -1.832,2 | -51.957 |
| 3 | Chlorosilane for Solar Grade Silicon | -6,8 | -2.835 |
| 4 | Energy Efficient Lighting — LEDs | -6.244,0 | -17.488 |
| 5 | Engine Performance, Rubber in Motor Construction | -423,5 | -8.759 |
| 6 | Green Tyres | -130,1 | -5.205 |
| 7 | Industrial Applications in Pulp Industry | -20,5 | -460 |
| 8 | Industrial Applications in Pulp Industry, Anti-foaming in Pulp Production | -289,6 | -3.145 |
| 9 | PU Additives for Thermal Insulation in Appliances | -35,9 | -210 |
| 10 | Sealants Windows IG unit | -61,8 | -2.012 |
| 11 | Wind Turbines | -650,1 | -3.514 |
| Total | -9.914,8 | -96.414 |
| № | Name of Case Study | Net benefit of silicone product | Absolute EU GHG net benefits |
| Kg CO2eq/kg | 1.000t CO2eq | ||
| 1 | Automotive Bonding | -219,6 | -1.112 |
| 2 | Batteries/Energy Storage | -333,0 | -24.888 |
| 3 | Chlorosilane for Solar Grade Silicon | 0,3 | 163 |
| 4 | Energy Efficient Lighting — LEDs | -1.126,9 | -7.106 |
| 5 | Engine Performance,Rubber in Motor Construction | -44,00 | -1.217 |
| 6 | Green Tyres | -19,5 | -1.107 |
| 7 | High Quality Sealants & Adhesives | -9,6 | -434 |
| 8 | Industrial Applications in Pulp Industry, Anti-foaming in Pulp Production | -297,9 | -3.560 |
| 9 | PU Additives for Thermal Insulation in Appliances | -10,3 | -114 |
| 10 | Sealants Windows IG unit | -6,0 | -393 |
| 11 | Wind Turbines | -203,7 | -2.813 |
| Total | -2.270,3 | -42.580 |
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