Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP) has awarded the BASF facility in McIntosh, Alabama, a 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award for the site’s production of light stabilizers and work to enhance the durability of plastics and coatings for automotive and construction materials applications.

Through BASF’s site waste minimization program, the McIntosh team continuously evaluates all waste streams to identify opportunities to reduce the quantity and improve sustainability in the disposal. In 2020, the team proposed using the t-butanol (TBOH) waste stream as a comparable fuel for the hazardous waste boiler at the site. Team members from operations, technology, utilities, safety, analytical services, and logistics supported the project.

“We are honored to receive a PEP Environmental Stewardship Award,” said Marcus Pezent, Site Director for BASF in McIntosh. “At BASF McIntosh, we commit to being responsible stewards daily for our organization, employees, and the community by ensuring environmental safety.”

Throughout 2021, a total of 1.9 million pounds of recovered TBOH was transferred from light stabilizers to utilities as boiler fuel. This eliminated the shipment of 50 tanker truckloads of hazardous waste material for offsite disposal. Using the recovered TBOH as fuel on site, BASF’s McIntosh facility reduced Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from transportation by 35 metric tons of CO2 (based on the EDF Green Freight Handbook).

Climate protection is a key pillar of BASF’s sustainability efforts, and the McIntosh site aims to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and reduce its absolute CO2 emissions by 25 percent by 2030. To support these goals, the BASF team is continuously identifying projects to improve processes and minimize waste.

PEP presented the award to BASF during its annual meeting, supporting BASF’s significant environmental contribution through economic growth, environmental, health and social responsibility. This award honors BASF for its stewardship and aims to inspire more businesses to be environmentally conscious and responsible.

PEP is a coalition of business and education leaders who share the vision of applying science-based environmental best practices to business and community issues. Founded in 2000, the organization promotes business growth while preserving and enhancing the environment and quality of life along the Gulf Coast.