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ENVIRONMENT
Functional ecosystems are vital. Since 1959 Selenis is committed to taking business decisions that appreciate their value. We strive to protect the environment through operational excellence that protect our natural resources. This commitment is transmitted through our Code of Business Ethics that is disseminated to all employees, in which Selenis defines comprehensive principles to act on behalf of minimizing our environmental footprint across our value chain.
Selenisis focused on a “win-win” way of business-thinking, understanding the environmental impact of our products and our operations as producers of specialty polyesters. Under our environmental policy, Selenis defines our pledge to increase the value of goods and services using less resources and minimizing environmental impacts, while contributing to regulatory compliance..
This environmental management system is based on a strategy of eco-efficiency that demonstrates our efforts on steering towards a clean future.
Solar energy has the least negative impact on the environment, and it’s the energy source we are investing in to meet the objectives set out in the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement to decarbonise energy.In November 2021 we started to build our first solar park at our industrial site in Portugal, with the objective of rolling-out this strategy to our other production sites.
Our first solar park has an electrical power of 3.35 MWh and will be able to produce 5.65 GWh per year; reducing our CO2 emissions by 2,657 tonnes CO2 per year. This is equivalent to charging over 328 million smartphones. We will continue the project with a second phase to be developed over the next two years. We also hope to implement solar parks at the rest of our industrial sites.
Our solar park is a clear example of our commitment in achieving our goal of relying only on self-generated renewable energy sources in the long term. In 2021, the share of renewable sources in the national energy mix came down from 60% to 36%,due to climate change related conditions, such as less rain, and lower wind power, amongst others. This indicates that our plans to reach carbon neutrality through self-generated renewable energy sources, are in the right direction, whilst making us more sustainable and self-sufficient.
Selenis resins are designed to be recyclable and environmentally friendly. Recycling is an essential part of a circular economy, ensuring that resources are valued not wasted, or ending up in our natural environment.
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PET resins are 100% recyclable. This means that they can be recycled over and over again.
The total energy required to produce rPET resin is at least 75% lower than the total energy demand for virgin PET (which includes raw material feedstock energy).
The process and transport energy required to produce rPET is 40% lower than that of virgin PET resin.
Replacing use of virgin PET with rPET reduces greenhouse gas emissions by almost 60%.
Selenis’ eco-efficiency strategy stands on top of our mind in our decisions and innovative projects. We aim to design specialty polyesters that minimize environmental impact by using the minimum amount of resources possible.
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According to PETRA, life cycle studies of PET have consistently confirmed the environmental benefits of PET as a packaging material.
PET has a low carbon footprint. But if just 200,000 people each recycled one more PET bottle plastic per day, we would eliminate 1,150 tons of greenhouse gases.
PET is extremely lightweight, easy and efficient to transport, as well as shatterproof, which means major energy efficiency, allowing for more products to be delivered in less packaging and using less fuel for transport.
PET enjoys a very favorable sustainability profile in comparison to glass, aluminum, PVC and other container materials.
A benefit of PET in comparison to other materials is its lightweight. This is key to its energy efficiency, allowing for more product to be delivered in less packaging and using less fuel for transportation. Ongoing advances in light-weighting technology continue to improve energy efficiency even further.
PET is up to 90% less heavy than glass. Because of the outstanding material qualities, PET isn’t wasted during production processes and guarantees product safety, delivering several economic and environmental benefits.
At Selenis we want to help shape a better and more sustainable world. We play our part in rebuilding habitats and avoiding degradation, as well as balance environmental threats to protect the health of species, as we believe their health is directly connected to ours. Take a deeper look at how we are making a difference:
At Selenis we believe in nature-based solutions to solve climate change and that’s why we have reforestation programs in several areas. These programs are denominated offsetting as the planting of trees occur in different locations from where our company’s greenhouse gas emissions originate; offsetting the company’s greenhouse emissions elsewhere.
Trees have several environmental benefits. They combat climate change, clean the air, prevent water pollution and soil erosion, and provide a canopy and habitat for wildlife. However, trees go beyond their environmental positive impact:
Trees heal: studies have shown that patients with views of trees outside of their windows heal faster and with less complications. Additionally, exposure to trees and nature aids concentration by reducing mental fatigue.
Trees bring groups of people together as tree planting provide an opportunity for community involvement and empowerment that improves the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
Selenis is committed to:
Forest restoration in areas affected by natural disasters
Plantation of new trees to tackle climate crisis by drawing carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere
Maintenance and enhancement of natural ecosystems
At Selenis we believe in nature-based solutions to solve climate change. In a win-win initiative, we planted 4,000 trees in Portugal, bringing benefits to farmers and the local community. Farms become more efficient, more climate friendly, as trees absorb CO2, release oxygen and return carbon to the soil, as well as store water.
Selenis planted 1,000 trees in Costa Alegre, an area highly affected by hurricanes, having suffered 3 in the last 10 years. This initiative is in place in an effort to replace trees downed by the hurricanes, one of them being the strongest storm ever recorded, reaching a wind speed of 345 km/h.
