Climate change and deterioration of the environment are critical threats for Europe and the world. To overcome these threats, in December 2019 the European Commission put forward the European Green Deal.
The deal is an ambitious package of measures ranging from cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in advanced research and innovation, to safeguarding Europe’s natural environment.
Its overarching aim is to make Europe’s economy highly sustainable and climate neutral, allowing a fair and inclusive transition for all.
As the European trade association for producers of diisocyanates and polyols – the main building blocks of polyurethanes – ISOPA has been contributing to achieving these goals by providing tangible solutions that are environmentally sustainable, contributing to economic growth and people’s wellbeing.
In terms of the environment, polyurethanes actively help fight climate change in a variety of ways:
- As effective insulators, they improve the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce the need for heating and cooling, thereby lowering carbon emissions.
- In vehicles, not only do they ensure comfort and safety, but also enhanced fuel efficiency, because they are lighter than alternative materials.
In line with the EU circular economy action plan, the polyurethanes industry is also constantly striving to improve the end-of-life phase of its products to achieve even greater sustainability. Existing projects demonstrate that recovery schemes reduce the volume of polyurethane waste going to landfill.
ISOPA is committed to these goals and to being an active partner to the EU in delivering the Green Deal. Our commitment to continuing to innovate to produce more sustainable materials and products will keep Europe competitive, our workforce dynamic and our advanced technologies at the forefront of global markets so that the EU can continue to lead and meet the challenges of the future.