Reducing our carbon footprint
At Solvay, we are actively working to reduce our carbon footprint to fight climate change. Our climate roadmap focuses on reducing direct and indirect emissions (Scope 1 and 2) and addressing Scope 3 emissions throughout our value chain.
DID YOU KNOW?
Solvay has divided by ~50% its CO2 emissions in the last 20 years.
Scope 1 & 2 Roadmap
To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions from our sites by 2030 (compared to 2021), we are implementing the following strategies:
- Energy Transition: Phasing coal out and substituting fossil fuels with renewable or low-carbon energy.
- Energy Efficiency: Reducing energy consumption per production unit.
Process Innovation: Reducing emissions from chemical processes.
Long-standing commitment to Climate
In 2024, our Paulina site achieved a 95% CO2 emissions reduction compared to 2005 levels (scope 1&2). They achieved this using a thermal process to destroy nitrous oxides from the adipic acid plant.
Phasing out coal and embracing lower-carbon energies
Soda ash production is energy-intensive and traditionally relies on coal. Phasing out coal is essential to achieve our carbon neutrality target.
Green River, Wyoming
We completed our largest GHG emissions reduction project to transform the U.S. Green River, Wyoming plant operations. The plant stopped using coal in early 2024, switching to natural gas. Scope 1 and 2 emissions have been reduced by 20% despite a 25% capacity increase.
Rheinberg, Germany
Since the end of 2024, Rheinberg is the first soda ash plant in the world primarily powered by renewable energy. We use locally sourced waste wood.
Dombasle, France
In Dombasle, Solvay is partnering with Veolia to completely phase out the use of coal for energy generation. The coal will be substituted by local refuse-derived fuel (RDF). By the end of 2025, after the completion of the project, the plant is expected to emit 240 kt/y less CO2 than in 2021.
Torrelavega, Spain
In 2025, Solvay took another decisive step to phase out coal at its soda ash and bicarbonate plants with a new energy transition project in Torrelavega, Spain, aiming to nearly halve CO2 emissions by 2027 and ensure the site’s long-term competitiveness. We have secured a long-term energy supply agreement with ENSO, which will invest in, construct, and operate a biomass cogeneration unit for the production of clean and competitive energy.
Devnya, Bulgaria
In Devnya, Bulgaria, we started at the end 2022 to substitute petcoke with sustainable biomass and we aim at growing the share of sustainable biomass in the site fuel mix. However, we believe that our target to totally phase out coal by 2030 is at risk as there is no possibility to access mid to long-term local reliable renewable sourcing. We keep on working with determination on all the options, including some requiring more time to be implemented.
Globally accelerating our switch to renewable energy sourcing
Collonges, France
We are installing an electric furnace for silicate production, which will reduce the site’s CO2 emissions by 20%.
Paulínia, Brazil
We are installing biomass-fired boilers, primarily fueled by sugarcane bagasse, to reduce the site’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40% annually by 2027.
Rosignano, Italy
We are partnering with the Sapio Group to build a green hydrogen plant, expected to be completed by mid-2026.
Voikkaa, Finland
This site has been running on 100% wind energy since the end of 2023.
Juarez, Mexico
In 2024, we installed a biodigester to produce biomethane from wastewater treatment plant slurries.
Qingdao, China
Our solar panel installation program includes a project at this Silica plant that began in 2024.
Innovating for more sustainable processes
We are reducing the emissions coming from the energy we consume with energy transition projects. To tackle emissions released by the chemical process, we are innovating, reinventing and upgrading processes across all our businesses.
e.Solvay process
Our e.Solvay process is the future of the industry. With this new process, we will reduce CO2 emissions by 50% to produce soda ash. It also cuts water and salt consumption by 20% and limestone usage by 30%. Furthermore, it will eliminate limestone residues. We are in the industrial piloting phase for this technology, at our Dombasle Plant in France.
Largest GHG emissions reduction project
In 2024, we implemented a breakthrough technology in the U.S. Green River, Wyoming plant: a regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) process. This is a great example of emissions control technology and the first of its kind for the trona mining industry.
Scope 3: Where collaboration is key
In 2024, Scope 3 emissions represented 68% of Solvay's total GHG emissions of 23.5 MT CO2 (Total Scope 1, 2 & 3). We are on track to achieve our target of reducing by 20% our focus 5 categories by 2030 vs 2021 baseline.
Collaborating with our peers
Since 2011, Solvay has been a founding and active member of Together for Sustainability (TfS), a global, procurement-driven initiative aimed at assessing and improving the sustainability performance of the chemical industry and its suppliers. Through this initiative, we engage our suppliers to reduce our Scope 3 upstream emissions.
Collaborating with our logistics partners
By partnering with our transportation providers, we can mitigate emissions associated with logistics. Our win-win partnerships include:
