The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) announced on Nov. 28 that its board of directors has approved the investment for the company’s Path2Zero facility at Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.
The facility will be an integrated integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives facility that is net-zero in carbon dioxide emissions – in terms of scope 1 (direct) and scope 2 (indirect from purchased energy). According to Dow, the project is the world’s first net-zero complex. To achieve net-zero status, Dow will use technology to convert off-gas to hydrogen that will then be used for the site’s furnaces. As well, carbon dioxide emissions will also be captured and stored “reducing existing emissions by approximately 1 million MTA of CO2e while abating all emissions from the addition of the site’s new capacity” according to Dow.
“The project serves as a leading example that industrial decarbonization is both possible and profitable,” said Jim Fitterling, Dow chair and CEO with the announcement. “The opportunity to decarbonize our assets while driving growth is central to Dow’s business strategy. All our stakeholders benefit from this investment – creating value for our customers and shareholders, new opportunities for our employees, economic growth for the community, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions for the environment.”
Construction is set to begin in 2024, with a first phase of production starting in 2027 and a phase two by 2029. The company said it chose Fort Saskatchewan for the project because “offers highly cost-competitive natural gas relative to other regions, as well as cost-advantaged ethane, a key feedstock for ethylene production.”
“This project will have a profound positive impact on our employees and the community, creating jobs and economic opportunity while positioning the region to be a leader in low emissions manufacturing. Our collaboration with government officials, the community of Fort Saskatchewan, our Indigenous neighbors, and the host of partner companies involved has been key to enabling this investment to move forward,” said Diego Ordonez, Dow Canada president with the announcement.
Dow operates in 31 countries around the world with sales of US $57 billion in 2022.
