Mass balance accounting approach
Manufacturers need independent verification of their sustainability claims. Mass balance accounting is an established approach that ensures the sources and processing of sustainable feedstocks are verified. Independent organisations certify this process, bringing transparency and credibility to sustainability claims.
What is mass balance?
Mass balance is a broadly accepted accounting approach that allows the manufacturing supply chain to mix sustainable materials with conventional materials using existing infrastructure. The mass balance approach is also cost-effective as it allows the mixing and co-processing of conventional and sustainable resources in the same facility rather than building new plants.
An independent third-party verification organisation tracks each step of the value chain, from the sourcing of sustainable resources to the co-processing of final products, certifying that a verified quantity of sustainable resources has displaced non-sustainable resources.
Key benefits:
Certifiable
Manufacturers can trust sustainability initiatives because they are governed by independent standards organisations.
Cost efficient
The mass balance approach uses existing infrastructure rather than building new plants. This provides the opportunity for companies to initiate sustainable offerings in a phased approach without investing in new infrastructure or processing facilities.
Quality
Products retain the same performance characteristics as their conventional counterparts and are equally strong, effective and durable.
Transparency
Each step in the value chain is certified to ensure sustainable resources are used and the chain is not broken at any point.
Efficiency
Enables faster transition to a lower carbon or circular economy.
Sustainable solutions include:
Bio-based solutions
Incorporate more bio-based feedstocks into your products to help meet consumer demand for sustainability.
Mass-balanced bio-based products retain the same physical and performance characteristics as those produced from conventional feedstocks, and the process is certified by an independent third-party organization providing transparency and assurance.
- Use existing infrastructure, manufacturing equipment/facilities and supply chains
- Provides scalable and customisable solutions based on your business goals
- Incorporate bio-based feedstock to reduce product carbon footprint
Lower carbon solutions
There are many ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your products.
Discover how lowering carbon emissions and utilising carbon-efficient technologies can benefit your business pathway to net-zero.
- An expanding and evolving portfolio of solutions to help address your needs
- More immediate, scalable, and cost-effective means to emission reduction compared to processing in separate facilities
- Combine our solutions with your other lower carbon choices to further reduce your product carbon footprint
Circular solutions
Incorporate more recycled content and transition towards a circular economy.
With the use of post-waste plastics, customers can reduce waste and help enable a circular economy.
- Product specifications, quality, and performance that rival conventional/virgin alternatives
- Certified circular feedstock provides transparency
- Suitable for use in regulated and sensitive product applications such as food grade and health care
The future of sustainability is now.
Businesses are facing increased pressure to stay in step with society and meet expectations around adopting sustainability initiatives. Forward-looking companies are adopting processes to verify the sustainable attributes of their products to credibly and transparently support sustainability initiatives.
Mass balance accounting is one way to ensure sustainability claims align with output and process efficiency throughout the supply chain.
Develop sustainable solutions together with Shell Chemicals
Shell Chemicals is dedicated to supplying customers with a range of sustainable, performance, intermediate and base chemicals that go into the end products people use every day. Learn how your business can accelerate progress towards a more sustainable future with Shell Chemicals.
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