Resource efficiency: Solvay to unlock the circular economy
Preserve the resources of the planet
Our way of doing things is reaching its limits, If everyone on the planet consumed as much as the average person in the Western Hemisphere, two to four Earths would be needed to sustain them. We are today in a system where we take resources from the ground to make products, which we use, and, when we no longer want them, throw them away. Take-make-waste. We call this a linear economy. This economy does not stand the test of time. In a context of climate crisis and resource scarcity we need to operate a “Resource transition” by rethinking our economy in a way that it can benefit everyone within the limits of our planet.
Decoupling the use of virgin materials from business growth
At Solvay, we have a clear conviction that we must rethink and develop business models to disconnect our growth from the use of finite resources. We see the circular economy as being one priority to tackle the climate crisis.
We are working with peers, customers, associations to rethink collaboratively the way we make and use materials and products.
The circular economy is gaining momentum and represents a society movement at the crossroads of different SDGs: Climate Action, responsible consumption & production, Partnership for the goals, among others.
At Solvay, we know that we can create value for at least another 155 years, but only if it doesn’t come at the expense of our planet. Our partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation highlights the indispensable role that the circular economy plays in tackling the climate crisis. We need to rethink the life cycle of a product rather than look at what it does at a given point in time. We must re-discover, unlearn what we take for granted and relearn new practices, working together to demonstrate how businesses, financial institutions, and policymakers can build a thriving and resilient economy while playing an essential role for a cleaner future.
Solvay Chemistry & Materials as enablers for the circular business models
Solvay can build value to the circularity of its customers in 4 major ways:
- Bringing new functionalities: transform wastes from the strategic markets of Solvay into added value raw materials
- Enhancing technology: create value by increasing the quality of the recycled material through an improved process
- Eco-design: develop new products to be circular by design
- Services business models & market education
We are delighted to partner with Solvay. The chemicals industry lies at the heart of the global economy, so it holds great potential to spark system-level change in the move towards a restorative and regenerative circular economy
Contact
Isabelle Gubelmann Bonneau
