How has Arkema's strategy shifted over the years, especially given its focus on high-performance fluoropolymers back in 2018 when we last interviewed you?
Actually, our strategic direction has not really shifted; Arkema has consistently aimed to be an innovative specialty materials provider. Our focus has always been on delivering innovative solutions that enable our customers to realize their visions of a more sustainable world. Arkema’s commitment to sustainability starts internally with our belief in our people. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their background, can thrive and feel empowered to perform at their best. This focus on empowering our people is a foundational aspect of our sustainability efforts.
Could you elaborate on the use of castor oil in your production processes and its impact on sustainability?
We utilize castor oil as the primary feedstock in our monomer production in Singapore. This initiative is part of the 'SuCCESS Castor' program started nearly a decade ago in India, which aids farmers in growing castor sustainably. The program educates farmers on protective practices and leverages the natural growth conditions of castor in Gujarat, India, where it requires minimal additional water and grows in marginal lands less suitable for other crops.
Through the ‘SuCCESS Castor’ program, we have trained, certified, and helped over 7,000 farmers enhance their yield by 30-50%, significantly boosting their income. We have several partners in this program – most notably, BASF. This program not only supports more sustainable farming practices but also ensures that these practices are economically beneficial for the farmers, aligning with our goal to provide more sustainable solutions that offer tangible benefits to all stakeholders.
With the global biopolyamides market expected to grow annually by 14.5% through to 2032, how has Arkema's position in the biopolymers market changed since you opened Arkema’s largest global integrated biofactory in Singapore?
The new factory significantly enhances our production capabilities and global supply chain versatility, making Arkema more attractive to end-users and increasing our reliability as a supplier. Previously, our monomer production was limited to one facility in Marseille, France and polymer production sites in France, in the US and in China. The addition of the Singapore factory for monomer and polymer diversifies our production bases, mitigating risks like those experienced during COVID and other supply chain disruptions. The polymer market is expected to see significant growth in China and the Asia-Pacific region. Arkema is well-positioned to meet this increasing demand, especially with our expanded production capabilities in regions like Asia, which have been experiencing rapid growth.
Can you discuss the practical applications of Arkema's Amino 11 polymer products in industries like sports and consumer electronics?
Our products, particularly the Rilsan® Polyamide 11, are used extensively in the sports and consumer electronics sectors. For example, the Swiss sportswear company On Running uses polyamide 11 in some parts of their shoes, and they even launched the Cloudneo, a unique fully recyclable high-performance running shoe made exclusively with Polyamide 11. Continuing with this example, On Running adopts an advanced recycling process in collaboration with Arkema where used shoes are collected, crushed, and transformed into new polymer pellets. This mechanical recycling process is a part of our commitment to sustainability, ensuring that the materials used are not only high-performing but also recyclable, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.
How does Arkema balance consumer concerns about price with the environmental benefits of your products?
Consumers are increasingly ready to consider the environmental impact of their purchases. Arkema's Polyamide 11 is competitively priced compared to Polyamide 12, with only a marginal difference, making it an attractive alternative for environmentally conscious consumers. This balance of cost and sustainability appeals to consumers who are increasingly evaluating the carbon footprint of their purchases alongside price. This shift in consumer preferences is prompting industries to adopt more advanced materials. It is evident in sectors like cosmetic packaging and glass frames, where major brands are transitioning to biobased materials not solely for sustainability but also due to consumer demand for higher performing products.
What challenges does the industry face in making bioplastics commercially viable and scalable?
Simply put, the price of any material must be in balance with the value it brings. And more and more, consumers are valuing sustainability features like lower carbon footprint, responsibly farmed crop feedstocks that do not compete with food in the value chain and do not cause deforestation. The entire supply chain must stand up to rigorous standards.
Today’s consumer is cheering on advancements in these areas, and Arkema is pleased to play a leading role. Our sweet spot lies near the top of the polymer pyramid – i.e. advanced bio-circular materials. Higher volume shifts to more sustainable bioplastics will be driven by the commodity plastics sector. Arkema is not a major producer of commodity plastics.
As Arkema has expanded in Singapore, what advantages has this location offered, particularly for your biofactory and the broader APAC market?
Singapore’s strategic position as a logistics hub significantly benefits our operations, especially given that our raw materials, like castor oil, are sourced mainly from India and our products are distributed globally. The availability of skilled labor, coupled with excellent infrastructure and proximity to key markets and R&D facilities, makes Singapore an ideal location for our biofactory and supports our regional and global operations efficiently. Our collaborations with local institutions like A*STAR and NTU are pivotal in advancing technologies such as 3D printing and membrane technology for water and gas filtration. These partnerships not only enhance our product offerings but also keep us at the forefront of innovation in areas critical to both industrial applications and sustainability efforts.
Looking ahead to 2027, what innovations or developments in Arkema’s operations would you be excited to discuss?
By 2027, I anticipate significant advancements in our efforts to further reduce the carbon footprint of our polymers, aiming to drop below 1 kg of CO2 emissions per kg of polymer produced, compared to today's already impressive figures. Moreover, we aim to expand our sustainable solutions to customers, enhancing their ability to meet consumer demands for greener products. These initiatives will likely yield more real-life examples of sustainability that I would be eager to share. It’s a long and exciting journey!
