The global chemical industry has great potential for energy saving and emission reduction

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) stated that the US chemical industry has been at the forefront of the global energy efficiency journey. Since 1974, the American chemical industry has reduced the fuel and electricity consumption per unit of output by 53%. ACC President and CEO Carl Dooley said that in 2008, 56 energy-saving projects implemented by some US chemical companies could save 18.9 trillion British thermal units per year, while reducing CO2 emissions by 3.3 million tons per year.

According to the latest report of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), the total energy consumption of the EU remained basically unchanged from 1990 to 2005, but the production of chemicals during the period increased by 60%. This means that the energy intensity of the EU chemical industry is declining at an average annual rate of 3.6%.

According to ICCA, the energy consumption per unit of Japan’s chemical industry in 2006 was 82% lower than it was in 1990. The member companies of the Brazilian Chemical Industry Association ABIQUIM reduced the overall energy consumption by 25% during 2001-2007. In 2007, more than 50% of Brazilian chemical companies’ energy comes from renewable resources.