Westlake Epoxy Joins B4 Consortium in Western North Brabant
Westlake Epoxy has joined the B4 Consortium in Western North Brabant, Netherlands, as part of an initiative to develop bio-based building blocks for the construction industry. The three-year project involves 11 partners led by TNO, focusing on converting tree and plant residues into sustainable construction materials. Westlake Epoxy will explore replacing fossil fuel-based feedstock with bio-based alternatives for epoxy resin production. The €4.4 million project aims to reduce CO2 emissions in construction by 50% by 2030 and 90% by 2050, targeting the replacement of fossil-based aromatics, which are present in 40% of products including paint, glue, and insulation materials.
Westlake Epoxy è entrata a far parte del Consorzio B4 nella parte occidentale del Brabante Settentrionale, nei Paesi Bassi, come parte di un'iniziativa per sviluppare blocchi da costruzione a base biologica per l'industria dell'edilizia. Il progetto triennale coinvolge 11 partner guidati da TNO, concentrandosi sulla conversione di residui di alberi e piante in materiali da costruzione sostenibili. Westlake Epoxy esplorerà la possibilità di sostituire le materie prime a base di combustibili fossili con alternative a base biologica per la produzione di resine epossidiche. Il progetto da 4,4 milioni di euro ha l'obiettivo di ridurre le emissioni di CO2 nell'edilizia del 50% entro il 2030 e del 90% entro il 2050, mirando alla sostituzione degli aromatici fossili, presenti nel 40% dei prodotti, tra cui vernice, colla e materiali isolanti.
Westlake Epoxy se ha unido al Consorcio B4 en el oeste de Brabante Septentrional, Países Bajos, como parte de una iniciativa para desarrollar bloques de construcción bio-basados para la industria de la construcción. El proyecto de tres años involucra a 11 socios liderados por TNO, con un enfoque en la conversión de residuos de árboles y plantas en materiales de construcción sostenibles. Westlake Epoxy explorará la sustitución de materias primas basadas en combustibles fósiles por alternativas bio-basadas para la producción de resinas epóxicas. El proyecto de 4,4 millones de euros tiene como objetivo reducir las emisiones de CO2 en la construcción en un 50% para 2030 y un 90% para 2050, buscando reemplazar los aromáticos fósiles, que están presentes en el 40% de los productos, incluyendo pintura, pegamento y materiales de aislamiento.
웨스트레이크 에폭시가 네덜란드 서부 브라반트 주의 B4 컨소시엄에 가입했습니다. 이는 건설 산업을 위한 바이오 기반 건축 블록 개발 이니셔티브의 일환입니다. 3년 프로젝트에는 TNO가 이끄는 11명의 파트너가 참여하며, 나무와 식물 잔여물을 지속 가능한 건축 자재로 전환하는 데 집중하고 있습니다. 웨스트레이크 에폭시는 에폭시 수지 생산을 위한 화석 연료 기반 원자재를 바이오 기반 대체물로 대체하는 방법을 모색할 것입니다. 440만 유로 규모의 이 프로젝트는 2030년까지 건설 분야의 CO2 배출량을 50%, 2050년까지 90% 줄이는 것을 목표로 하고 있으며, 이는 페인트, 접착제 및 단열재를 포함하여 40%의 제품에 포함된 화석 기반 방향족 화합물의 대체를 목표로 합니다.
Westlake Epoxy a rejoint le Consortium B4 dans l’ouest du Brabant-Nord, aux Pays-Bas, dans le cadre d’une initiative visant à développer des blocs de construction bio-sourcés pour l’industrie de la construction. Le projet de trois ans implique 11 partenaires dirigés par TNO, en se concentrant sur la conversion des résidus d’arbres et de plantes en matériaux de construction durables. Westlake Epoxy explorera la possibilité de remplacer les matières premières à base de combustibles fossiles par des alternatives bio-sourcées pour la production de résines époxy. Le projet de 4,4 millions d’euros vise à réduire les émissions de CO2 dans le bâtiment de 50 % d’ici 2030 et de 90 % d’ici 2050, ciblant le remplacement des aromatiques fossiles, présents dans 40 % des produits, y compris les peintures, les colles et les matériaux d'isolation.
Westlake Epoxy ist dem B4-Konsortium in Westbrabant, Niederlande, beigetreten, im Rahmen einer Initiative zur Entwicklung von bio-basierten Baustellen für die Bauindustrie. Das dreijährige Projekt umfasst 11 Partner unter der Leitung von TNO und konzentriert sich darauf, Baum- und Pflanzenreste in nachhaltige Baumaterialien umzuwandeln. Westlake Epoxy wird untersuchen, wie fossile Rohstoffe durch bio-basierte Alternativen für die Herstellung von Epoxidharzen ersetzt werden können. Das 4,4 Millionen Euro teure Projekt hat zum Ziel, die CO2-Emissionen im Bauwesen bis 2030 um 50% und bis 2050 um 90% zu reduzieren und zielt darauf ab, fossile Aromaten zu ersetzen, die in 40% der Produkte wie Farben, Klebstoffen und Dämmmaterialien enthalten sind.
- Project receives €4.4 million in funding from EU and government sources
- Strategic positioning in emerging bio-based materials market
- Potential for new revenue streams through sustainable product development
- None.
Insights
The B4 consortium represents a significant strategic initiative in sustainable chemistry, with Westlake Epoxy taking a key position in developing bio-based alternatives to fossil-based epoxy resins. The project's
The initiative aligns with aggressive construction sector targets to reduce CO2 emissions by
While promising for long-term sustainability goals, near-term financial impact on Westlake's operations appears The three-year research timeline suggests commercial applications are still several years away. Investors should view this as a strategic positioning move rather than an immediate revenue driver.
Region seeks to become hotspot for bio-based building blocks for the construction industry.
BERGEN OP ZOOM,
(Graphic: Business Wire)
From grass to glue, from sugar beet pulp to paint or from wood chips to insulation foam are examples of what the B4 project – Better Bio-based Building Blocks - envisions. These building blocks not only make products for the construction industry more sustainable, but also provide scratch resistance, flame retardancy or ultraviolet (UV) resistance. Besides these technological innovations, the partners in this B4 project also share knowledge with students, companies and governments to prepare them for and involve them in this raw materials transition. This will transform Western North Brabant, a province in the south of
The construction sector faces a huge challenge: to cut CO2 emissions by half by 2030 and
B4: Better Bio-based Building Blocks
The B4 project combines the entrepreneurship, knowledge and expertise of small and medium-sized companies (Relement, Impershield, Baril Coatings, Bodewes and Progression-Industry) and larger companies (Westlake Epoxy and Worlée) with the technologies and knowledge of TNO, VITO and Avans University of Applied Sciences. The partners want to show that bio-based aromatics can successfully replace fossil aromatics in at least six applications for the construction industry, such as coatings, composites, acrylic and epoxy resins. And that these non-fossil alternatives are not only more sustainable, but also commercially attractive.
Green Chemistry Campus as epicenter
The Green Chemistry Campus in Bergen op Zoom is the epicenter of this project. It is home to Shared Research Center Biorizon, an initiative of TNO and VITO that is working with partners on the technological development of bio-aromatics.
By the inclusion of all stakeholders a flywheel will be created that will make the transition to a climate-neutral economy a reality. Within the B4 project, the Campus therefore organizes many meetings and workshops for a broad audience. For SMEs who want to know what the opportunities are for their company, for students considering a career in bio-based chemistry, for employees in the chemical industry who want to know what will change for them when they start working with bio-based raw materials, and for governments who want to know what the opportunities of this raw material transition are for their organization.
West-North Brabant as bio-based hotspot
Helping regions that rely heavily on fossil-based industries with the transition to a climate-neutral economy in a just and equitable way; that is the goal of the European Union's Just Transition Fund. The B4 project aims to make Western North Brabant a hotspot for bio-based building blocks for the construction sector. West-North Brabant potentially has everything to realize this goal: residual agricultural products such as sugar beet pulp as green raw material, a chemical sector with a lot of knowledge and personnel and strong logistical connections. The B4 project partners want to offer sustainable economic prospects to the region by providing a new earnings model for the agricultural sector and creating additional jobs in the chemical industry.
The B4 project has a total budget of
Contact
For more information about the B4 project, please contact project leader Paul Könst at paul.konst@tno.nl or +31 (0)6 25 04 13 79.
About Westlake
Westlake Corporation (NYSE: WLK) is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance life every day. Headquartered in
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241024190335/en/
Dr. Oliver Mieden, Head of Communications & Public Affairs –
Westlake Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Carl-Zeiss-Ring 25, 85737 Ismaning,
Phone: +49 (0)89 96103-282, E-mail: oliver.mieden@westlakevinnolit.com
Mila Hierner, Global Marketing Communication Manager –
Westlake Epoxy Belgium BV, Avenue Jean Monnet 1, 1348 Ottignies Louvain-la-Neuve,
Office: +32 10 48 22 50, E-mail: mila.hierner@westlake.com
Source: Westlake Corporation
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