Global warming, pollution of the environment and environmental sustainability have attracted significant global attention as scientists warn of irreversible damage to the climate and environment if drastic action is not taken promptly. Across the globe, more countries have heeded this call and are enacting legislations to limit carbon emissions and promote recycling and reduction of waste. In 2018, Singapore enacted the Carbon Pricing Act that paved the way for the introduction of Carbon Tax on 1st January 2019.
PCS, as an upstream essential chemicals company, produces essential chemicals that contribute to improvements in quality of life, and serving as key materials that support various industries and people’s lives. Over many years, PCS has improved its energy efficiency through cost effective projects to reduce carbon footprint. The last major improvement made was the revamping of three main compressors of No.1 Ethylene Plant in 2018.
Faced with the rapid development on the climate action front, PCS Management had organised the PCS Sustainability Team in February 2022 to consolidate the ongoing sustainability activities. The main objective of the team is to spearhead initiatives to help PCS becomes a low carbon essential chemicals’ producer.
The key strategies working towards producing low carbon essential chemicals are covered by initiatives under four categories, namely:
Category 1
Continue activities of the existing Structured Energy Management System (EnMS) required under the Energy Conservation Act (ECA) with existing energy efficiency drive via process optimisation, operations and maintenance activities and continue exploring improvements in energy efficiency of existing facilities via Energy Efficiency Opportunity Assessment (EEOA). For instance, regular dry ice blasting cleaning for furnaces/boilers, regular seawater headers/heat exchangers back-flushing, energy efficiency improvement projects etc.
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Category 2
Focus on carbon abatement and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies, to achieve significant reduction in carbon footprint and carbon intensity of the existing operating facilities.
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Category 3
Support Circular Economy such as green chemicals e.g. exploring feasibility to process circular naphtha derived from pyrolysis oil (from recycled plastic) etc.
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Category 4
Support solutions for renewable energy without ruling out adopting solar power and other possible innovative solutions etc.
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In line with Singapore’s pledge to reduce GHG emissions and target to achieve net zero emissions by or around mid-century, PCS shall put in its best endeavour constantly in order to achieve significant reduction in PCS carbon footprint and carbon intensity.