How Biomass-Balanced Polymers are Boosting Sustainability in Water-Intensive Industries

In an era of growing environmental awareness, biomass-balanced polymers offer water-intensive industries a more sustainable way to treat water and reduce carbon emissions. Developed from renewable feedstocks, these polymers provide a drop-in solution that allows industries to switch from fossil-based chemistries without disrupting their existing processes or compromising performance.

What are biomass-balanced polymers and what is their impact?

When a polymer is biomass-balanced, the majority of the fossil-based raw materials used in its production are replaced by renewable, mass-balanced feedstocks. These feedstocks – sourced from industrial side streams, agricultural residues, used cooking oil, and biogas – contribute to carbon reduction by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. The feedstocks used to produce Kemira’s biomass-balanced polymers are certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), ensuring a traceable chain of custody.

Since 2021, Kemira has launched a portfolio featuring over 100 products for key applications such as industrial and municipal wastewater treatment, sludge management, and drinking water treatment. By replacing fossil feedstocks with renewable alternatives, these polymers contribute to lowering the carbon footprint of water treatment operations while helping industries meet tightening environmental regulations.

Biomass-balanced polymers are gaining traction across Europe. By the end of 2024, these products will treat wastewater equivalent to a population of 4 million, proving that sustainable chemistry is a powerful tool in the fight against climate change, all while maintaining high performance in water management.