Speciality chemicals producer, Solvay, has announced that its subsidiary, Advanced Biochemical Thailand Co., Ltd. (ABT), has received certification from the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) for the production of Epicerol, a bio-based building block for renewable chemicals and resins.

The certificate covers the manufacture of bio-based epichlorohydrin (ECH), using Solvay’s innovative technology, from vegetable glycerol derived from biodiesel and oleo chemical production.

Epicerol is 100 per cent bio-based epichlorohydrin (ECH) produced by an innovative technology from Solvay. Based on renewable glycerol, Epicerol is the most sustainable ECH in terms of CO2 emissions and process environmental performance. It is a chemical intermediate for a wide range of industries, including epoxy resins or coatings and composites, according to a press release.

Bruno VanParys, ABT vice president said, “We are extremely proud of this evaluation which is recognised by leading NGOs. RSB certification validates Epicerol as the leading bio-based ECH for customers because of its outstanding environmental attributes.”

ABT has been operating its world-class manufacturing unit using Solvay’s proprietary technology in Thailand since February 2012. It is the first bio-based chemical operator in Asia to obtain RSB certification.

Rolf Hogan, executive director of RSB said, “We are very pleased that ABT has chosen RSB to demonstrate the sustainability of their ECH process. This demonstrates that RSB is the partner of choice for biomaterials operators that are interested in true sustainability.”

The RSB is an independent and global multi-stakeholder coalition which works to promote the sustainability of biomaterials. RSB’s user-friendly certification scheme is the strongest and most trusted of its kind. It verifies that biomaterials are ethical, sustain-able and credibly-sourced. The certification is approved by RSB’s members, including leading NGOs and UN agencies. (GK)