The EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) is a flagship initiative under the European Green Deal. It is a comprehensive plan to boost innovation in chemicals and the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry, while ensuring that chemicals are suitable for a circular economy.
The TDMA supports the European Green Deal and Europe’s ambition to become climate neutral by 2050 and will participate fully to help make the European Green Deal a reality, in line with Cefic’s response to the CSS.
Greener production of chemicals
The CSS will seek a transition towards chemicals that are ‘safe and sustainable by design’ to help make Europe a global frontrunner and boost innovation. Chemicals are essential for the way we want to live our lives and are also the building blocks for our sustainable future. That is why the CSS aims to implement greener production processes. The European chemical industry is investing to decarbonise its industrial processes in close cooperation with the value chain. The industry is a driving force to achieve the European Green Deal.
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) plays an important role in this endeavour. TiO2 is an essential chemical, it is safe for human consumption and is a key ingredient in thousands of products we see and use every day. The TiO2 industry is reducing its carbon footprint by pioneering life cycle inventory methodology to calculate an industry average ‘cradle-to-gate’ carbon footprint that helps the industry monitor and measure its performance. The TDMA encourages its customers and suppliers to use this data to help them assess the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), including the carbon footprint, of their own products containing TiO2.
Safety, sustainability and the circular economy
The CSS also addresses the chemical content of products and waste to ensure that materials can be recycled safely. The strategy supports the EU Circular Economy Action Plan that emphasises the importance of sustainable product design. Up to 80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined at the design phase.
Arguably, sustainable products should be designed to be produced with the most effective materials possible to help ensure high performance using minimum resources. Materials should be durable to help extend product lifetime and to reduce waste, and products must be recyclable. The properties of TiO2 can enhance products helping to make them fit for the circular economy.
