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The oil crises of the 1970s sparked a series of energy-efficiency research initiatives and improvements within the business of chemistry that persist today. No other industry
group requires it members to track energy use and efficiency, while publicly reporting their collective progress. This mandatory member reporting of energy data began in 2003.
- Between 2007 and 2008, the energy efficiency of Responsible Care companies, in normalized BTUs per pound of production, improved by about 5.9%. Using 1992 as a baseline, energy efficiency of Responsible Care companies has improved by 25%.
- Since 1974, the US chemical industry has improved its energy efficiency by an outstanding 53 percent. Transforming raw materials into valuable products will always require energy, but the significant and continuing gains in conservation achieved by the chemistry industry have set a new standard for efficiency.
- The industry’s energy efficiency continually improves as companies invest in energy-savings projects. Moreover, continued investment in new capacity often incorporates the latest in process technologies, which generally are more energy-efficient. In addition, investment for modernization and improving operating efficiencies also lead to better energy efficiency. The industry’s energy efficiency may also change depending on the product mix. A large swing in the production of energy-intensive products can affect overall industry efficiency in the short-term (i.e., year to year). In the longer-term, evolution from energy-intensive commodity chemicals to specialties plays a role in improving energy efficiency.
- Another method in which the industry is advancing energy efficiency is through the use of combined heat and power (CHP), or cogeneration – the simultaneous generation of electricity and steam from a facility that is located at or near the manufacturing site. Since cogeneration facilities use fuel to produce both electricity and steam, they are much more efficient than the older stand alone electric utilities, which typically send large quantities of waste heat into the atmosphere. In addition, modern cogeneration facilities typically use natural gas as a fuel, emitting much less CO2 to the atmosphere than typical coal-fired utility units. Today, nearly a third of all cogeneration used in manufacturing is conducted by the business of chemistry.
- Chemistry is essential to energy efficiency throughout the U.S. economy. Modern materials – the products of chemistry – help Americans be more energy-efficient. Insulation and weatherization materials such as vinyl windows help keep homes warm or cool, according to the season. New automotive materials are making lighter-weight, more fuel-efficient cars. Refrigerators and other home appliances are also more energy-efficient due to materials based on chemistry innovations.
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Energy Intensity (BTUs Per Pound of Production)
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| Aggregated Responsible Care Company Data |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
Change (03'- 08') |
| Energy Efficiency Intensity (BTUs/Pound of Production) |
4,257.9 |
4,191.6 |
4,126.2 |
4,380.4 |
4,335.0 |
4,281.0 |
0.54% |
| Industrial Production Index for broader Business of Chemistry (2002=100) |
101.3 |
105.6 |
109.3 |
112.7 |
114.1 |
108.8 |
7.40% |
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Energy Intensity Trend (1992=100)
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| Aggregated Responsible Care Company Data |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
| Energy Intensity (BTUs/Pound of Production) |
100 |
95.9 |
87.8 |
85.6 |
84.1 |
80.9 |
79.9 |
79.4 |
80.6 |
81.1 |
75.9 |
71.9 |
72.4 |
76.0 |
75.9 |
80.9 |
75.0 |
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| Note: To assess the trends in ACC/RC members’ energy efficiency and CO2 emissions over time, ACC calculates the changes over successive two year periods, using as the sample the group of companies that responded in both years of any given two year period. The performance in successive two year periods is compounded to derive performance trends over the longer term. |
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