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Select SDGs to find out how we are taking action in support of the UN Substinable Development Goals
In order to reach a low carbon footprint, resource efficiency and a competitive economy, companies must transition to a more circular economy. A circular economy is a system where the value of products, materials and resources is maintained in the economy for as long as possible. Simultaneously, this transition will save energy and reduce the generation of waste as well as the rate of raw materials used. This change is part of global efforts toward sustainable development.
Target: Increasing circular economy & water savings impact by additional 3% recycling of waste streams per year
In order to minimize the environmental impact at the end of its products’ lives, ICL has embraced the ‘Integrated Industry’ approach. According to this approach, the industrial production process should shift from a linear process, in which resources and capital pass through the production chain and eventually become waste, to a circular process where waste can serve as input for other production processes.
As ICL develops more sustainable products from varied waste streams, there are also intense efforts to integrate its own products and by-products into circular processes. ICL’s highly-integrated value chains use advanced processes which utilize by-products and waste products to enable the cost-efficient conversion of raw materials into higher value-added products.
In the past year ICL’s RD&I has managed to prove that what was previously thought of as a by-product with no use can become a viable product. “MagiK” is a new product that was developed from a byproduct stream that is created as part of magnesium’s production process.
In its Phosphate Solutions division, ICL is working to find new sources of phosphorus, a necessary mineral for healthy plants, from sources other than phosphate rock, such as ash from sewage sludge, as well as, by using by-products from production processes as possible viable products.
Our latest circular economy innovation is Pearl® Technology; recycled phosphorus that helps close the phosphorus cycle, reduces losses to the aquatic environment and preserves the primary and finite resources of rock phosphate to produce conventional fertilizers. Pearl® is sustainably recovered from high P water streams, including industrial, mining, food processing, livestock and municipal, utilizing a unique process which allows recovery of a pure struvite granule. Struvite proved to be an asset in plant health and growth, and is incorporated in ICL’s premium CRF range for turf, Sierrablen Plus.
Read MoreIn the Industrial Products division, ICL is focused on retrieving bromine from various waste streams. Furthermore, it is reviewing how its new generation of flame retardants function as part of a circular economy.
In Israel, facilities under the Industrial Products division have been involved in circular economy initiatives regarding energy circularity. One of ICL plants began buying the by-product steam of a power station located near the plant. In another, hydrogen that is emitted as a by-product from its own production process is now used as a fuel in an emissions reduction facility.
ICL is also developing a new hydro-process for precious metals recovery, designed for the recycling industry.
As part of its sustainability vision for 2030, ICL has set a target of increasing circular economy & water savings impact by additional 3% recycling of waste streams per year. This KPI includes both internal re-use within ICL sites, and external re-usage of wastes by external partners. The organization has now begun to measure all existing global projects and progress will be detailed in ICL’s 2021 Sustainability Report.
ICL-IP has created an internal ICL Circular Economy (CE) forum in order to exchange information and ideas regarding potential projects, dialogue with customers and recycling projects. Representatives from ICL’s companies in Asia, Europe, Israel and the USA have partnered together to map Circular Economy opportunities both within and outside of ICL.
As ICL expands its vision of the circular economy and resources, it is looking for advantageous partnerships to propel it forward. As a result, the Company has joined the Center for Resource Recovery and Recycling, CR3.
CR3 is committed to become a cooperative research center focused on sustainable stewardship of the earth’s resources. Its focus is to help industry to create a sustainable future. CR3 helps to advance technologies that recover, recycle and reuse materials throughout the manufacturing process. This creates opportunities to reduce energy costs and increase profitability, while protecting natural resources.
The European Commission has adopted a new policy objective which aims to achieve a sustainable, low carbon, resource efficient and competitive economy. The Circular Economy Package includes a comprehensive commitment to eco-design, the development of strategic approaches for plastics and chemicals, a major initiative to fund innovative projects under the umbrella of the EU’s Horizon 2020 research program, and targeted action in areas such as plastics, food waste, construction, critical raw materials, industrial and mining waste, consumption and public procurement.
