Asahi Kasei Secures Independent Verification of Acrylonitrile Product Carbon Footprint

South Korean subsidiary Tongsuh Petrochemical obtains “Reasonable Assurance” verification for its fiscal 2025 acrylonitrile carbon footprint following an independent audit by Socotec Certification Japan.

Asahi Kasei has strengthened carbon footprint transparency for acrylonitrile (AN) production through independent third-party verification obtained by its wholly owned South Korean subsidiary, Tongsuh Petrochemical. The company received “Reasonable Assurance” verification for the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) of acrylonitrile manufactured at its Ulsan production site.

The verification followed an audit of the manufacturing facility, data, processes and documentation. It provides a high level of assurance regarding the reported carbon footprint and addresses growing customer demand for independently verified environmental data.

Independent Audit Covers Acrylonitrile Production Data

Socotec Certification Japan conducted the audit, reviewing the methodology, source data and reporting procedures used to calculate the fiscal 2025 carbon footprint of acrylonitrile. The assessment covered the production chain from raw material procurement through manufacturing.

Acrylonitrile is an important chemical intermediate used in several applications, including ABS resins, acrylamide, acrylic fibers and carbon fiber precursor materials.

The “Reasonable Assurance” verification confirms a high level of reliability for the carbon footprint information and exceeds the requirements associated with “Limited Assurance.”

Tongsuh Petrochemical Advances Lower-Carbon Production

Tongsuh Petrochemical has taken steps to advance lower-carbon acrylonitrile production in recent years.

In 2021, the company obtained ISCC PLUS certification, a globally recognised sustainability certification scheme supporting the traceability of bio-based and circular feedstocks.

Since 2022, Tongsuh Petrochemical has produced and marketed acrylonitrile using biomass-derived propylene through a mass-balance approach.

Asahi Kasei Continues Efforts to Reduce Production Emissions

Asahi Kasei has stated that it will continue working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with acrylonitrile production through improvements to its proprietary catalyst and manufacturing technologies.

The company has also expanded its use of biomass-based feedstocks. These efforts aim to combine lower-carbon materials with reliable environmental data, enhancing the value provided to customers.

Asahi Kasei seeks to strengthen its role as a global sustainability partner for industries pursuing decarbonisation across their supply chains.