Evonik’s site in Mobile, Alabama, has been awarded the ISCC PLUS sustainability certificate for its use of renewable acetone in the production of isophorone-based products. The accreditation of the site at Mobile allows Evonik to produce and market its renewable isophorone-based, VESTA eCO series in the USA for the first time. European production started in 2022 following the Herne, Germany Crosslinkers production site’s certification.

Using acetone made from renewable bio-circular materials derived from industrial waste like used cooking oils integrated with existing feedstocks, enables Evonik to provide the only renewable isophorone platform of isophorone, -diamine and -diisocyanate products on the market. By reducing its reliance on fossil-based acetone, Evonik is lowering the carbon footprint of its own production, while also supporting customers in the region to address their own sustainability, CO₂ reduction and environmental regulation demands. 

To achieve the ISCC PLUS certification, Evonik’s use of renewable feedstocks is independently certified using the mass balance accounting principle and external auditing. The process matches inputs with outputs from the production process by calculating and determining the share of renewable feedstock when both renewable, and fossil feedstocks are used. For example, the VESTANAT® IPDI eCO product contains 75% renewable carbon per mass balance, offering a significant reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP) and CO₂ footprint compared to its fossil-based counterparts. 

“This latest ISCC accreditation enables us to adopt large-scale production of our VESTA eCO series products in Mobile and provide our customers in the region with cost-effective and sustainable solutions,” said Christian Schmidt, Head of Evonik Crosslinkers business line. “Providing our customers with reliable information on carbon footprints to give them a clear picture of their reduction options is another step on our sustainability journey to achieve climate neutrality in the industries we support.”

The ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) is an independent third-party initiative and is considered the leading certification for sustainable, fully traceable, deforestation-free, and climate-friendly supply chains.

“From the renewable feedstocks and our production, to the consumers buying ISCC PLUS-certified products, we can keep track of each renewable molecule we use from the entire supply chain,” said John Duggan, Head of Evonik Crosslinkers business line, Americas. “So even as we mix the different feedstocks, we are able to reduce our total carbon footprint, and the ultimate goal is to utilize 100% renewable feedstocks to lower the carbon footprint further."

Evonik’s VESTA eCO grades are available under the well-known Crosslinkers brand families; VESTASOL® IP eCO (100% renewable carbon) for isophorone, VESTAMIN® IPD eCO (90% renewable carbon)  for isophorone diamine, and VESTANAT® IPDI eCO (75% renewable carbon) for isophorone diisocyanate. Due to their mechanical strength, durability, chemical resistance, excellent adhesion and low CO₂ emissions, they are designed to be used as sustainable raw materials in the production of paints, lacquers and binders for modern coating systems. They are also suitable for high-performance composite materials like rotor blades for wind turbines or in automotive interiors to produce higher quality instrument panels and trims as well as the latest chemical synthesis technologies.

Source: Evonik