Hexpol advances sustainability at rubber compounding plant 

Malmo, Sweden – Hexpol Compounding has advanced sustainability targets at its rubber compounding plant in Lesian, Czech Republic, hitting a new milestone in terms of carbon-neutrality.

Preferred by Nature, a non-profit organisation working to support better land management and business practices, has certified the plant as carbon-neutral in two emissions categories, the Swedish compounder announced 12 Dec.

According to Hexpol, the Lesina plant was certified carbon neutral for scope 1 & 2 emissions based on 2021 data.

Vehicles at the facility, Hexpol explained, are being operated on cleaner energy and any unavoidable emission is offset with a “climate+ programme”, such as supporting to provide clean water access to families in Laos.

For scope 2 emissions, Hexpol said the unit is purchasing energy from renewable sources since 2018 and therefore had no emissions to report in that category.

“Our journey does not stop here. We are working on several different measures to lower our scope 3 emissions,” said Michael Jakubik, sales and marketing director of Lesina.

Among other targets, Jakubik said the Hexpol unit aims to develop products with a lower carbon footprint and optimise the resource usage throughout operations.

Earlier this year, Hexpol announced that natural rubber compounds produced at the Lesina plant were certified by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

With the PEFC mark, the Lesina unit is now part of a 'responsible supply-chain' that can provide certified natural rubber compounds to all interested customers.

Hexpol Rubber Compounding produces natural and synthetic rubber compounds, for industries such as automotive, engineering and construction. 

Other important customer segments are the transportation sector, the energy sector, the consumer sector and the cable and wire industry.

*Under greenhouse gas (GHG) protocol corporate standards, a company's GHGs are classified into three scopes.

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from company-owned and controlled resources.

Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heat, or cooling.

Scope 3 emissions are all indirect emissions which occur in the value chain of the company such as all purchased goods and services, logistics, transport, business travels, waste generation, etc.