ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – Emerald Kalama Chemical BV, a business group of Emerald Performance Materials, together with partners Rotterdam-based grid manager Stedin and energy supplier AVR, has completed a key project in the new energy cooperative supporting the Rotterdam Climate Initiative. The construction of a two-km high-pressure steam grid delivers the first part of a steam grid in the Rotterdam Botlek, which has now begun to supply the company with high-pressure steam generated from waste rather than fossil fuel. The steam network is estimated to reduce the CO₂ emissions up to 400,000 tons per year when fully implemented, according to Stedin. Emerald expects to have a reduction of 40,000 tons in CO₂ reduction as a result of joining the steam grid.

The start-up of the energy cooperative was marked by a behind-the-scenes tour with local VIPs. The tour included demonstrations at each part of the process:  the generation of steam from waste by AVR, the design and construction of the steam grid by Stedin, and the benefits from a sustainability and operations standpoint by major consumers, such as Emerald Kalama Chemical. The highlights were featured on a video from NOS, the Dutch Broadcasting Association. An English translation of this behind-the-scenes tour is available at http://www.emeraldmaterials.com/CMS/emerald/STEAM550.MP4.

The overall Rotterdam Climate Initiative seeks a 50 percent reduction of carbon-based emissions by 2025, as compared to its 1990 baseline. Many companies operate in the Rotterdam Botlek because of its strategic access to the largest port in Europe. The grid relies on distributing steam from one plant to other plants nearby, rather than the current practice of having each plant produce its own steam from fossil fuel. Emerald Kalama Chemical is the first steam consumer to sign on to the steam grid.

Emerald signed 15-year agreements with both Stedin and AVR. In addition to significant CO₂ reductions, the steam condensate from Emerald’s operation will be returned to the network and will be used by AVR for heating homes in the region.