Brita Selects Sustainable Styrenics Solution From Ineos Styrolution

BRITA, INEOS Styrolution, and BASF have announced that BRITA has selected a range of INEOS Styrolution’s sustainable Terluran® ECO, Styrolution® PS ECO, and NAS^® ECO materials as materials of choice for its portfolio of water filter jugs. The materials include the recently introduced NAS ECO, a styrene methyl methacrylate (SMMA) material, which is the result of a cooperation between INEOS Styrolution and BASF. It is built on BASF’s production of styrene monomer derived from renewable feedstock based on the mass balance approach. INEOS Styrolution uses the material as feedstock in its production of new sustainable styrenics solutions.

BRITA, known as a leading brand in water filtration, is among the first customers to benefit from INEOS Styrolution’s new sustainable NAS ECO solution. Specifically, the material is used for the production of BRITA’s water filter jugs where it is applied for jug, funnel, and lid parts. By using the new materials, BRITA can significantly lower the CO2 footprint without changes in molding parameters and material performance. The new ECO materials do not cause any interference in BRITA’s production as it is indeed a true plug-in solution that does not require an adaption to BRITA’s production processes. Meike Rapp, Sustainability Manager for the BRITA Group says: “At BRITA, we constantly look for ways to make our products more sustainable. Hence, we are happy that the new ECO materials for our jugs help us achieve one of our key sustainability goals – to reduce our dependence on fossil-based plastics. They also contribute to further decreasing the carbon footprint of some of our key products and help us achieve our strategic goal of shaping sustainable solutions. That the materials are also ISCC plus certified is a great value-add in our consumer communication.”

NAS ECO with significantly reduced CO₂ footprint

BASF’s biomass balance (BMB) based styrene is used by INEOS Styrolution in the production of bio-attributed styrenics specialties, mainly transparent styrenics materials such as the company’s NAS^® ECO family of SMMA products and the Luran^® ECO family of SAN (styrene acrylonitrile copolymer) products. The BASF and INEOS Styrolution processes within the end-to-end mass balance-based production of the new solution portfolio are certified by ISCC plus. Udo Mühlhölzer, Business Development Manager/ Global Key Account Manager Electronics & Household EMEA, at INEOS Styrolution comments: “I am excited to be able to offer our customers sustainable styrenics solutions that help them to meet their sustainability goals – and ultimately help our environment.” 

Biomass balanced styrene

To produce styrene BMB, BASF replaces fossil resources like naphtha or natural gas with renewable feedstocks derived from organic waste or vegetable oils. It is one way to produce styrene via a mass balance approach. Mass balance is a chain-of-custody model that keeps track of the total amount (e.g., circular or other alternatives) of feedstock throughout the production process and ensures a proper allocation of the finished goods.

Raw material and plastic producers like INEOS Styrolution and BASF can thus offer products with a better environmental profile but the same properties as those manufactured from fossil feedstock. The allocation process via the mass balance approach as well as the products are certified by independent auditors. Read more about BASF’s Biomass balance approach (basf.com).

“The mass balance approach, be it based on waste biomass or chemically recycled plastics, helps us to leave fossil resources in the earth and enables a fast transition towards alternative feedstocks,” says Stefanie Kutscher, Head of Business Management Styrene at BASF’s Styrenics Business Europe. “This can only be achieved if the whole value chain takes part.” 

About BRITA

With total sales of 656 million euros in the business year 2021 and 2,321 employees worldwide (of which 1,263 are in Germany) the BRITA Group is one of the leading companies in drinking water optimization and individualization. Its long-established brand BRITA has a leading position in the global water filter market. The family-owned company based in Taunusstein near Wiesbaden is represented by 30 national and international subsidiaries and branches as well as shareholdings, distribution, and industrial partners in 69 countries on all five continents. It has production sites in Germany, the UK, Italy, and China. Founded in 1966, today the inventor of the household water filter jug develops, produces, and distributes a wide range of innovative drinking water optimization solutions for private (water filter jugs, on-tap systems, and BRITA Integrated Solutions for small and large electric appliances by renowned manufacturers) and commercial use (hotel sector, restaurants, catering and vending) plus mains-fed water dispensers for offices, schools, restaurants and the hygiene-sensitive care sector (hospitals, care homes). Since 2016 BRITA has been working with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) to protect the world’s oceans from plastic waste, and as such to protect whales and dolphins.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 111.000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care, and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €78.6 billion in 2021. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information is at www.basf.com.

About INEOS Styrolution

INEOS Styrolution is the leading global styrenics supplier, with a focus on styrene monomer, polystyrene, ABS Standard, and styrenic specialties. With world-class production facilities and more than 90 years of experience, INEOS Styrolution helps its customers succeed by offering solutions, designed to give them a competitive edge in their markets. At the same time, these innovative and sustainable best-in-class solutions help make the circular economy for styrenics a reality. The company provides styrenic applications for many everyday products across a broad range of industries, including automotive, electronics, household, construction, healthcare, packaging, and toys/sports/leisure. In 2021, sales were at 6 billion euros. INEOS Styrolution employs approximately 3,600 people and operates 20 production sites in ten countries.

More information: www.ineos-styrolution.com