ACC awards Ashland for leadership in sustainability

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The American Chemistry Council (ACC) presented Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (Wilmington, DE) with a sustainability leadership award for environmental protection and circularity for its Benecel MX modified cellulose ingredient during its virtual annual meeting. The ingredient won because it is a sustainable texture solution for plant-based foods, namely warm alternatives such as vegetable burgers, meat substitutes, and meat-hybrid blends. It has thermally reversible gelling capability that helps products retain moisture. 

The award winners were selected and reviewed by the ACC judging panel based on a range of factors-from the level of innovation, the scope, and the reach of its impacts. The panel also takes into account how companies address the priorities outlined in ACC’s Sustainability Principles and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Ashland’s manufacturing site in Belgium also reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 10% and put an initiative in place to reduce its water usage as well. 

“The manufacturing processes for Benecel requires a significant amount of steam,” said Keith Silverman, senior vice president, global operations, quality and environmental, health and safety, Ashland, in a press release. “Instead of burning gas to generate steam onsite and adding an environmental burden, Ashland’s solvers worked with a neighboring facility that produces a large amount of surplus steam through its waste incinerator processes to create a steam network that has resulted in reduction of burned gas and fewer emissions to the environment.”

Chris Jahn, president and CEO of ACC, said in a press release, “The chemical industry plays a critical role in addressing and solving global sustainability challenges being faced by society. ACC is proud to recognize Ashland with the 2020 Sustainability Leadership award for their work to advance solutions to feed a growing global population, while also implementing innovative manufacturing processes that embrace circular practices.”