A successful ESG strategy holistically conceived and innovatively implemented
About the ESG strategy
For a sustainable future, they must be pursued equally and integratively. The UN's Sustainable Development Goals, the so-called SDGs, provide us with a helpful framework and we are publicly committed to achieving these goals.
In order to achieve the necessary ESG-related developments as well as the SDGs, innovation is needed in particular. Because only those who actively pursue new ideas and approaches and remain flexible can be successful in the long term. In the area of the environment, for example, we are continuously working to find sustainable alternatives to conventional products in our portfolio. This way, we ensure a portfolio with lower CO2 emissions and offer our customers high-performance alternatives for their applications. Today, we will introduce you to such an alternative in more detail: rice bran wax.
What is special about rice bran wax
Rice bran wax (Oryza Sativa Bran Wax) is produced during the production of rice oil, with the raw rice oil containing 4-6% wax. Raw rice bran wax is a brown material, while refined rice bran wax is a yellow, hard natural wax with a high melting point (77-82°C, similar to carnauba wax).
Refined rice bran wax is mainly used for cosmetic purposes, e.g. as a non-melting peeling wax as well as for creams, lotions, sun care products and mascara. Rice bran wax is well compatible with most vegetable and mineral waxes, vegetable oils, mineral oils and petrolates.
Where can rice bran wax be used?
Similar to montan waxes, rice bran wax can be chemically modified. In this form, it serves as a technical additive in the production of plastics, coatings, printing inks and other specialized applications. With the Licocare RBW (Rice Bran Wax) product range, Clariant International Ltd offers additives that are used as internal and external lubricants and dispersants and are based on sustainable products. Licocare RBW is a modified rice bran wax whose raw material is obtained from rice oil production. From a chemical point of view, RBW consists of fatty acid esters of higher fatty alcohols and has similar properties to the well-known montan wax esters.
Modified rice bran waxes are not inferior in their performance to their technically related montan waxes. During the extrusion of plastics, they improve their flow behavior and act as an internal release agent. They also support dispersion in pigmented systems. In addition, they can contribute to the achievement of sustainability goals and do not compete with food production.
Project selection for CO2 compensation
It is not only with innovative product alternatives that we make our contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Of course, SDG 13 – "Climate Protection Measures" was also in our focus when we selected the projects to offset our CO2 emissions. Needless to say, the ultimate goal must be the reduction of CO2 emissions and this is what we are continuously working on at TER Chemicals. At the same time, however, emissions cannot yet be completely avoided.
For this reason, we have also dealt intensively with the project selection for CO2 compensation this year and, despite the much-discussed effectiveness, have selected, among other things, the "20 MW Biomass Power Project at Godawari Power and Ispat Limited". This Gold Standard carbon offset project enables the operation of a 20 MW biomass plant in Siltara, Raipur. Biogenic residues, mainly based on used rice husks, are used as an energy source. It is important to us that natural raw materials are used in their entirety, so we are happy about the opportunity to support this innovative project.
If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Wiebke Blankemeyer
Sustainability Manager
Tel.: +49 40 300 501 8156
E-Mail: w.blankemeyer[at]terchemicals.com