Asahi Kasei strengthens carbon footprint transparency for acrylonitrile production
Tongsuh Petrochemical, a wholly owned South Korean subsidiary of diversified global company Asahi Kasei, has obtained the “Reasonable Assurance” verification for the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) of acrylonitrile (AN) produced at its Ulsan manufacturing site.
Tongsuh Petrochemical’s factory in Ulsan, South Korea.
Acrylonitrile is an essential chemical intermediate used in a wide range of applications, including ABS resins, acrylamide, acrylic fibers, and carbon fiber precursor materials.
The audit was conducted by Socotec Certification Japan, which reviewed the methodology, source data, and reporting process used to calculate the fiscal 2025 PCF for acrylonitrile from raw material procurement through production.
The “Reasonable Assurance” verification confirms that the carbon footprint information meets a high level of verification and reliability and exceeds the requirements necessary for a “Limited Assurance.”
This verification provides a high level of assurance and meets the growing customer demand for independent and verified carbon footprint data.
Advancing low-carbon production
Tongsuh Petrochemical has advanced lower-carbon production over the past several years.
In 2021, the company obtained ISCC PLUS certification, a globally recognized sustainability certification scheme that supports traceability of bio-based and circular feedstocks. Since 2022, the company has been producing and marketing acrylonitrile based on biomass-derived propylene using a mass-balance approach.
Asahi Kasei has stated it will continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with acrylonitrile production through ongoing improvements in proprietary catalyst and manufacturing technologies. Furthermore, the company has expanded the utilization of biomass-based feedstocks.
Through these efforts, the company aims to further enhance the value it provides to customers by combining lower-carbon materials with highly reliable environmental data. Asahi Kasei seeks to strengthen its position as a global sustainability partner for industries pursuing decarbonization across their supply chains.
