Dow launches new drive to recycle plastic waste

Firm eyes carbon neutrality by 2050, writes Lamonphet Apisitniran

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Dow showcased its innovative approach to transforming plastic waste into new products, emphasising the circularity concept. The sample product on display demonstrates Dow’s commitment to creating packaging solutions that are designed for recyclability and reuse, aiming for 100% circularity by 2035.

Dow, a US-based chemical company, is stepping up efforts to slow rising global temperatures by improving handling of plastic waste.

The company wants its business to support the international campaign against global warming by reducing a significant amount of carbon dioxide emissions and seeking partners to achieve a net-zero goal.

The UN has designated 2050 as the year when countries should make at least the best greenhouse gas emissions and absorption, meaning realistic plans are needed to reduce the gases by 45% over the next decade.

CIRCULAR PLASTICS

Dow is implementing solutions to recycle plastic waste to reduce the need for new production, which leaves a substantial carbon footprint.

The lifecycle of plastics involves massive use of energy in the form of natural gas and oil and turns them into crude, which is used in paint making, to polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, which is transformed into water bottles.

“We aim to reduce our net annual carbon emissions by 5 million metric tonnes, versus the 2020 baseline, by 2030. This requires a 15% reduction,” said Kodak Xiao, Asia-Pacific business sustainability lead of Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics. “The company wants to become carbon-neutral by 2050.”

On the path towards this goal, plastics recycling management will be central to the actions, which will strengthen Dow’s position as a global sustainable chemical company, said Mr Xiao.