FLAVOURS & FRAGRANCES
Figure 2 – Mass balance approach
biobased option exists , materials must be physically segregated in the production process and throughout the entire supply chain . Unfortunately , in many cases the costs associated with biobased feedstocks and their separate supply and processing flows greatly exceed the cost of standard synthetic products .
A mass balance approach offers the possibility of creating a mixed production of renewable and fossil feedstocks that does not require new processing equipment and can be separated using a workable set of rules to ensure the traceability of renewable feedstock into new products ( Figure 2 ). Therefore , with mass balance it is possible to track the amount of circular and / or biobased content in the value chain and attribute it to the finished product , based on verifiable bookkeeping .
The mass balance approach is taking off in the F & F industry as it has been designed to trace the flow of materials through a complex value chain . To ensure total traceability and fully obtain the benefits of the approach along the entire value chain , F & F manufacturers will also need to be International Sustainability & Carbon Certification ( ISCC ) Pluscertified . Some players already are and we can see a major trend towards making it happen throughout the whole industry , in all regions .
The mass balance concept has become a globally acknowledged industry standard that provides a defined set of rules for tracking and tracing the content of circular and renewable feedstock in materials and end products . As a result , users of certified materials can claim a reduced carbon footprint for their formulations , and brand owners can document the enhanced sustainability toward consumers .
New certified grade
Solvay is active in the assessment of GHG impacts downstream and is working with suppliers around life-cycle analysis in line with the methodology of the chemical industry ’ s Together for Sustainability initiative . The company ’ s ingredient portfolio can consequently support
F & F customers in reaching their own sustainability targets .
Having been accredited with the mass balance accounting regime of ISCC Plus since the end of 2022 , Solvay has now launched Rhovanil MB , the world ’ s first ISCC Plus mass balance-certified range of highpurity vanillin .
This is a sustainable drop-in product that maintains the same quality as standard references , does not require homologation and is easy to implement without investments in storage and production . It can support the F & F industry ’ s sustainability goals to reduce carbon footprint by helping to grow circular business thanks to renewable feedstocks .
Since the renewable biobased feedstocks are blended with conventional feedstocks in the manufacturing process , there is no need to physically segregate the mass balance production . Solvay plans to continue expanding its mass balance offer to cover further ingredients of interest for the F & F industry and other markets .
The replacement of primary fossil resources by mass balancecertified renewable feedstock also aligns with the Solvay One Planet roadmap to continuously improve the sustainability of Solvay ’ s operations while also helping customers reduce their indirect emissions from their suppliers . ●
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Maud Joassard
EMEA MARKETING MANAGER
SOLVAY maud . joassard @ solvay . com www . solvay . com
Figure 3 – Solvay ’ s balance approach
38 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981