The Importance of
Decarbonization
Decarbonization is vital to protecting our planet and building a resilient global economy. By cutting emissions, we slow climate change, reduce extreme weather risks, and safeguard communities. At the same time, decarbonization fuels innovation, strengthens energy security, and creates new opportunities for sustainable growth. It’s one of the most powerful actions we can take to ensure a safer, healthier, and more stable future for all.
Key facts about global decarbonization
Current Emissions Are Very High
- Global GHG emissions reached an all-time high of around 55 Gt CO₂e in 2023.
- According to OECD analysis, to stay on a 1.5°C pathway, emissions need to drop by about 43% by 2030 (relative to 2019).
Source: OECD
Corporate momentum
- According to a report by ENGIE Impact, 98% of global companies (among those surveyed) are making progress against their decarbonization (net-zero) targets.
- This shows broad corporate buy-in: many big companies recognize decarbonization as not only an environmental responsibility, but a core business issue.
Source: Climate Action
BUILDING A WASTE-FREE FUTURE
Frequently asked questions
What is “decarbonization”?
Reducing emissions across all sectors of the economy is essential in combating climate change, since CO2 is a major greenhouse gas driving global warming.
Decarbonization can happen using a variety of strategies that include transitioning to renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, electrification in lieu of fossil-fuel powered systems, carbon capture and storage and other sustainable practices in a variety of industries such as agriculture, forestry, and land use.
What do you produce and who are your customers?
We produce circular chemicals from waste streams such as end-of-life plastics. These circular chemicals and gas products are plastic production precursors and are used by our customers to create the everyday essentials consumers rely on. Our proprietary technology breaks down the long hydrocarbon chains in plastics into shorter hydrocarbon fractions or into monomers using clean and efficient catalytic processes. Our process works at the molecular level and produces a stream of aromatic and olefin products, which can then be efficiently refined, extracted, and finished for our customers.
Our primary outputs are base chemicals, such as benzene, which can be used on a drop-in basis by our customers to meet their circularity and renewable content goals in their manufactured products.
Our circular chemicals are applicable across multiple sectors, including consumer products, health care, pharmaceuticals, and construction materials. Our products are high-quality and meet rigorous ASTM specifications and ISCC+ certification.
How is your process different from mechanical recycling?
Why do we need plastic?
Plastics have caused environmental challenges, but they’re also essential in our daily lives—from medical equipment to safer, lighter products that help reduce emissions. Instead of getting rid of plastic, we need a better way to manage it. By turning end-of-life plastics into new circular chemicals, we keep these materials in use, prevent waste buildup, and reduce the need for new petroleum.
We think there is a way to keep using this valuable material while eliminating the negative consequences. By taking end-of-life plastic and turning them into chemicals that can make plastic again and again, we eliminate the biggest problems with the old plastic industry: waste buildup and the need for endless drilling for new petroleum.
What is the Circular Economy?
How does Encina create a Circular Economy?
Encina takes materials that are considered waste and turns them into usable manufacturing materials. The result is that landfill use and incineration pollution are both are reduced. This solution complements traditional recycling by taking in waste that is not otherwise recyclable and creates a closed-loop system for a wider range of plastics.
Does circularity result in decarbonization?
Encina’s process is rare because it is creating circularity while also reducing carbon emissions. This is not always the case. For example, traditional chemical recycling methods and technologies contributed to circularity, but they had a higher carbon footprint than using virgin petroleum to create the same products. Encina’s solution helps our customers meet goals related to carbon reduction and the use of recycled content!
Where will you build your facilities?
We are currently in the developmental phase of engineering for the construction of our state-of-the-art circular manufacturing facility. Based on growing demand, we also have several global project locations under consideration for the future.
How do you store and transport your products?
We will store and transport our products with an acute focus on the safety of our staff and community. Our products are stored using conventional fixed roof or floating roof tanks and product storage spheres. Each storage tank/sphere will have its own safety control system. The storage facility will be designed with the appropriate temperature, pressure, and level control systems along with a dedicated liquid retention berm. There will also be a dedicated fire suppression system designed to meet NFPA (the National Fire Protection Association) guidelines. Products will be loaded from the storage facility onto railcars, utilizing robust standard safety and environmental systems.
What are the GHG impacts of your process?
Our process creates significantly fewer emissions than traditional fossil-based production and reduces the need for new petroleum. It also enables more types of plastic waste to be recycled, cutting down on landfill disposal and incineration. As with any industrial operation, some emissions are part of running the system, but higher efficiency processing and renewable power continue to bring that footprint down. Overall, the environmental benefits far exceed the emissions associated with the process.
Contact us to learn how Encina’s circular chemical solutions can reduce waste, lower carbon impacts, and support resilient manufacturing.