SABIC, a global leader in the chemicals industry, has launched a pilot project with Circularise, a blockchain software provider, to evaluate the use of their technology in tracing the carbon footprint of specific material streams from end to end.

Generating and reporting Scope 3 emissions is notably complex and confronted by challenges with availability of reliable data. Accurate data on a company’s carbon footprint requires collaboration and data sharing across multiple value chain partners. Blockchain technology has emerged as a potentially efficient solution to improve the process that can bolster transparency and accountability while minimizing risk across supply chains.

SABIC’s project will employ Circularise’s technology to capture emissions across the value chain by deploying a consistent methodological and reporting framework accepted by the industry. Scope 1 and Scope 2 data captured at the material level can be used to generate Scope 3 CO2 emissions for the full value chain of targeted industries.

“This blockchain pilot project reaffirms SABIC’s dedication to accelerating the sustainable transformation of our industry through strategic partnerships and innovative new technologies,” said Waleed Al-Shalfan, Vice President of Polymers Technology & Innovation at SABIC. “Accurately mapping emissions, especially Scope 3 emissions, will allow SABIC and others to identify and minimize hot spots along the value chain, a critical tool in our pathways to decarbonization. We encourage other upstream and downstream partners to join and consider how this technology can unlock sustainable growth at every level moving forward.”

“We're proud to collaborate with SABIC in tackling the pivotal challenges of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions accounting, which encompass issues like information accessibility, confidentiality, and scalability of data sharing among suppliers,” said Mesbah Sabur, Founder of Circularise. “As part of this project, Circularise aims to pilot blockchain-powered digital product passports and help businesses to track product emissions on a large scale and over time, generating comprehensive product life cycle emission reports."

This project marks another way in which SABIC is leveraging innovative partnerships to reduce emissions and help meet its commitment of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

This collaboration with Circularise also marks SABIC’s second blockchain application project. Last year, SABIC launched a pilot project with Finboot, Plastic Energy, and Intraplás to evaluate the use of blockchain technology in supporting end-to-end digital traceability of circular feedstock in customer products.