Changing gears: roadmap to net zero

Related theme: Sustainable Business Operations

Exploring options to become a net zero company is an admirable step. And a bold step if that company is a lubricant plant working with petroleum-based products. It is step that Petronas Lubricants International, a leading global lubricants manufacturer company for the automotive and industrial sector, is eager to take. The company initiated a study into achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Petronas Lubricants International contracted technicians to research three of its sites and asked TAUW to liaise with the engineers and draw up a report of the findings.  

Challenge

Leap of faith
The manufacturing sites we studied require high amounts of energy, mixing the chemicals to produce engine lubricants. Our consultants had to find sustainable alternatives that could supply the amount of energy needed.  A major challenge in that respect is that achieving net zero emissions means relying on technologies to produce energy sustainably – such as hydrogen – which are not commercially available at this time. It requires a leap of faith from both the client and TAUW to consider and develop these options.

The three trial sites were different in dimension and type of activity carried out which made it hard to replicate proposed solutions. Two sites were located in Italy while the third was in Belgium (in Italy Villastellone & Santena and in Belgium Hemiksem) .

A further complicating factor was that the sites would need to remain operational when emission-reducing measures were implemented. Several engineering partners in Italy and Belgium were involved in the study, coordinated by TAUW. Together we needed to build a roadmap with a sequence of interventions associated to CO2 reduction and capital expenditures.

Solutions

Strategic roadmap
TAUW formed an important link between the technical engineers and the specific needs of the client. We drafted a comprehensive report with site-appropriate measures, taking in account the technological  features of the plants, the administrative restraints and the possible national and European incentives. The report serves as a strategic roadmap, with a clearly structured timeline and actions. The report also addressed the legislative and licensing requirements.  

The recommended measures include energy-saving options such as piping insulation, condensers on the boilers, and some management techniques such as a system for energy management, the installation of new equipment such as new chillers and new compressors,  as well as climate-neutral energy production systems such as heat pumps and photovoltaic panels.  We advocated the use of new technologies such as on-site hydrogen generation, and we advised installing PV panels in the internal areas of the industrial site and on an abandoned area nearby in order to avoid the use of greenfield areas. 

Impact

Major investment, multiple benefits 
TAUW is able to make an impact because of our ability to rethink a production site. We are aware of enormous investment needed but we are also able to demonstrate the enormous benefits to the company, the economy and the environment.  

We were able to explain the bold steps necessary for the recommended measures. We clarified the rationale for certain choices. One significant step was the decision to generate electricity on site instead of relying on renewable fuel purchased elsewhere. Petronas Lubricants International has already begun work on installing a photovoltaic plant. It is building the maximum amount of solar panels that can be installed within its perimeter, thereby lowering emissions immediately.