Aluminium
As an ASI registered specialist, Melanie supports companies through the ASI (Aluminium Stewardship Initiative) certification process for both the Performance and Chain of Custody Standards.
We have assisted six ASI members to become compliant with the Performance Standard, resulting in successful audits for all companies that have reached that stage. We are currently helping a large consumer products company, which uses aluminium packaging, to become compliant with the Chain of Custody Standard.
BIO-BASED CHEMICALS
An consumer electronic products company, based in the US required a way of analysing new and existing regulations that would impact their supply chain for components and packaging made with raw materials from agricultural and forestry operations. We researched all relevant treaties and national laws in key countries and arranged them in a searchable format. We added features such as grouping according to theme, hyperlinks and a pivot table to facilitate rapid searching.
We worked with a large chemicals company to demonstrate the sustainability and traceability of their feedstock for a new bio-based intermediate. This included the development of feedstock purchasing and chain of custody procedures.
BIOFUELS
We provided written evidence-based communications to regulators on the sustainability credentials of biofuels for customers all over Europe. One paper described the greenhouse gas savings that could be achieved in Ireland from the use of locally produced waste animal fat for biodiesel. Another paper, written for a biofuels producer, detailed the alignment of the sustainability credentials of technical corn oil with the Swiss biofuels system.
A project proposal was developed to enable Swiss biofuels producers to prove the sustainability and origins of their biomass. The traceability, assurance model and auditing standard were key parts of the work. This proposal has been submitted to the national government for approval.
We acted on behalf of a biodiesel producer in the Netherlands to collect the energy and other inputs from a methanol producer, to be used for a calculation of the greenhouse gas savings of the product.
BIOPLASTICS
We are working with a large international petrochemicals company, which is examining options to add drop-in bioplastic to their product range. This involves a market assessment covering drivers, demand, and pricing plus analysis of feedstock options, co-processing and sustainability considerations.
We carried out technical and market research in Europe for a US provider of analysis, strategic consulting and advisory services to the petrochemical industry. This involved interviews with key industry contacts and data synthesis.
We advised a European company on the procurement of their feedstocks for the production of biopolymers. The work involved a review of sources of the feedstock, the origins of the material and the acceptability of the different sources to consumers and brand owners.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
An international conglomerate is carrying out an improvement programme for the airborne pollution abatement measures in their offices worldwide. We are providing the project management for the outdoor and indoor air monitoring to assess objectively the improvements in air quality after upgrading work.
We worked with a large UK scientific organisation to increase the impact and reach of their specialist monitoring technology and analysis services in the area of pollution and greenhouse gas monitoring, measurement and modelling. This involved project management and the development of proposals for new work.
LOW CARBON ECONOMY
We assisted a medium size UK manufacturing company, which supplies the aluminium smelting industry, to save energy and introduce a sustainable manufacturing policy. We carried out an analysis of energy consumption against process variables variables to provide the optimum operational conditions. We developed a sustainable procurement policy for use by company personnel. We also helped to promote their new sustainable product range via their website, promotional literature and social media.
As more transport becomes electrified, lighter weight materials will replace metals in automotive vehicles. A large petrochemicals company requested a prediction of changes in demand for a range of polymers over the next ten years. We worked with a specialist in electric transport to quantify demand under different scenarios for the uptake of electric passenger and heavy-duty transport.
We provided strategic advice to a multinational IT company in the US on the integration of private blockchain technology into sustainability schemes for commodities such as metals, timber, palm oil and sugar. We provided implementation options
RECYCLED PLASTICS
We developed and wrote a proposal to fund the piloting of a chemical recycling project for a consortium consisting of a polymer producer, consumer brands and a chemical recycling company. The work involved drawing out key messages to show alignment with European funding requirements, rewriting technical input and organising a coherent project work programme.
SUSTAINABILITY SCHEMES
We work with the market leading EU approved Voluntary Sustainability Scheme for biofuels, to provide communications, videos and stories. The aim is to engage a wider audience for their sustainability standards for food, feed and materials. The principles of the scheme and their implementation are brought to life, using a style that is factual but light, whilst referencing news items and unifying aspects of common experience.
We represented a niche Sustainability Scheme in Europe with responsibility for business development, sales, events, strategy, customer and stakeholder contacts.
Other projects in the area of water treatment can be viewed at
