All of Borealis' polyolefin production sites have obtained Zero Plastic Pellet Loss (Operation Clean Sweep, abbreviated as OCS) certification.

This milestone was years in the making. The Austria-based plastic producer was one of the first companies to sign the OCS commitment when it was voluntarily introduced in Europe in 2014.

The coordinated European certification program has been in effect since October 2023. It establishes a unified process and procedures for controlling and recording pellet loss throughout the entire plastic supply chain.

Plastic pellets or plastic granules are small plastic particles before production, which can lead to water pollution and harm aquatic and marine life if not managed properly. The OCS program provides industry-specific guidelines and best practices to ensure the proper handling and containment of plastic pellets, ultimately minimizing the risk of environmental impact.

The certification program was developed under the guidance and oversight of a multi-stakeholder committee comprising policymakers, certification bodies, and industry, with additional input provided through public consultation. The program is in line with measures proposed by the European Commission in October 2023 aimed at reducing particulate plastic micro-pollution, which are among the first EU initiatives to address plastic micro-pollution at the source.

Borealis has integrated the OCS standard into its management system and has now implemented it in all of its polyolefin plants. Its Belgian production sites, Kallo and Antwerp, are among the first in the world to undergo pilot testing and receive full certification by the end of 2023.

"Our proactive zero-pellet-loss approach not only prepares us for upcoming regulations but also positions Borealis as a role model and driver of change in the European plastics value chain," says Wolfram Krenn, Borealis Executive Vice President of Operations. "I am extremely proud of our dedicated team who continue to reshape the fundamentals of sustainable living."