German chemical maker BASF has launched a new project organization, called “Net Zero Accelerator,” to accelerate the implementation of its target to cut its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 25% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels and eventually become a climate-neutral company by 2050. CEO Martin Brudermüller said the new unit highlights BASF’s determination to move ahead with its transformation to a climate-neutral company.
The new unit will focus on company-wide activities relating to low-CO2 production technologies, renewable energies, and circular economy. The new project organization will be headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and will start initially with around 80 staff on January 1, 2022. Dr Lars Kissau will lead the new unit and will report directly to BASF’s board of directors. The Net Zero Accelerator will accelerate BASF’s existing and new projects to reduce carbon footprint.
These projects include BASF’s push in the circular economy such as ChemCycling and CO2-free technologies such as methane pyrolysis. BASF has also initiated various projects in renewable energy, including the acquisition of a 49.5% stake in the 1.5 GW Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm and the 25-year contract to purchase 186 MW of capacity from Ørsted’s proposed Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm in the German North Sea.
