Empowering environmental responsibility through sustainable packaging solutions
In January 2024 Hoover CS will be present at BBTC MENA, Bottom of the Barrel Technology Conference, in Bahrain, delivering a speech about the influence of packaging on SDG’s (Sustainable Development Goals). Can we frame this by identifying the top 5-6 SDGs for modern refineries, as recognised by Hoover CS?
Just like all companies, HCS identifies ways to tackle the SDGs within the scope in which we specialize, which are packaging and logistics. Our company focusses mainly on the following SDG’s:
- Clean water and sanitation
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Life below water
- Life on land
How does appropriate packaging influence each of these refinery SDGs?
🌏 Responsible consumption and production / Life below water / Life on land
We are seeing society moving away rapidly from single use packaging. Think about walking into your local supermarket in modern times vs 50 years ago. Where 50 years ago you may have walked out with half a dozen small plastic bags to carry your shopping in, these days you see folks walking into the supermarket with a big, empty, self-owned bag, and coming out with their shopping in that same bag. Non-re-usable packaging in stores is even sold these days, instead of given away for free. We are transitioning on a consumer level towards this, because as a society we do not want to see beaches covered in a few feet (Or more) of plastic. Nor do we want to feel ourselves responsible for the continuous usage of natural resources.
On an industrial level, however, this same logic is largely invisible or lacking. Regardless of the reason behind this, it is vital that we start making this same transition. Especially when taking into consideration the types of packaging which we are using in industrial applications, the resources required to manufacture these and the type of waste this generates.
Just as with the example of the re-usable bag which is used by the consumer at the supermarket, this can be achieved by implementing packaging which is part of a circular solution or is re-usable over longer periods of time. Better still, very frequently a circular solution will even be more cost effective than single use packaging solution directly. Additionally, utilization of a circular solution also carries the added benefit of being able to tailor make said solutions to provide other operational and cost benefits. So, when it is done correctly, it is truly a win-win-win, on all fronts.
All the above does not even touch the requirement of additional items to be able to use single use packaging modules, such as pallets and liners.
When matching packaging type to specific material type, the chances of spillages are reduced dramatically. If we look for example at the nature of spent refining catalysts used in residual upgrading, the material or very often wet or oily in nature. Having a packaging module with, for example, the option to siphon of the excess oil of liquid in a controlled manner will decrease the chance of spillage when needing to transport or empty the packaging module. Using a packaging module which lowers the number of movements and repacking on site reduces the risk of spillage. Using a packaging module with proper technical specifications and certifications, tailored to the material which it is packaging creates operational ease. Lowering risk of all HSE related incidents, including that of spillage.
🌱 Climate action
This is very easily explained. Manufacturing of packaging equipment takes energy. Energy generation generally causes carbon emissions. Continually manufacturing packaging equipment therefore continually consumes energy and therefore emits carbon. This may not be an immediately visible fact. However, when you backtrack up the production chain to, for example steel production, required for example drums, it became obvious that every drum bought carries with it a carbon footprint.
We currently have a packaging module in development which is “Nestable”, but still holds the rigid certification requirements allowing it to package hazardous materials such as spent refining catalysts. This nest ability allows the packaging module to effectively reduce the number of transports required to deliver said packaging module by a factor of 3. Proper design of packaging modules (With transportation in mind) allows for optimal utilization of each transport in term of weight and volume. Other options we are looking for are, for example, proper global asset tracking and management, which optimizes material flow and eliminates unnecessary transportation. Or collapsibility of packaging modules. If we can optimize 10% of freight effectivity, we cut away 100 freight movements for every original 1000 required. This may seem like a large number. But in terms of spent catalyst volumes associated with residual upgrading, this is far from fiction.
Recommended by LinkedIn
What is the message to the industry that Hoover CS would like to spread at BBTC 2024?
We are all looking very deeply into the activities taking place inside the reactors. How can we increase efficiency, conversion, lifecycles etc.? Yet, we often neglect to look in sufficient detail at the activities taking place around the unit during turnaround, of which packaging is a major contributing factor when it comes to catalyst change-out activities. Yet these aspects are crucial to a successful change-out to the SDGs which we all strive to achieve:
- Lowering reactor downtime
- Increased operational ease and cleanliness
- Decrease safety hazards and movements
- Decrease carbon footprint and usage of natural resources
- Decreased manpower required for operation
- Decreased amount of transportation required
- Decreased amount of storage required
- Nature of storage location can be way more liberal as tailored packaging modules can be weatherproof
The message to the industry would be to look at seemingly simple and linear aspects, such as packaging in a more comprehensive way. As there is a lot of value, directly and indirectly, to be gained by changing the way we look at packaging and logistics. "Commit To More Value with Less Waste".
Go from a wasteful, single-use packaging model… to one of reusability and circularity with Hoover CS. It is time to Lead by Impact.
🌱 Would you like to hear more?
Make sure you don't miss the chance to hear more about the impact of packaging on SDGs. Joey Berkhout, Business Development Manager, and the Hoover CS team will join us in Bahrain on 23-24 January 2024 at BBTC MENA.
Join us and gain valuable knowledge and perspectives on this crucial topic!"
💻 Learn more about the event: europetro.com/bbtcmena
Counting down the days until #BBTCMENA... See you soon!