INOVYN has today announced a partnership with the Netherlands-based VT Group (Verenigde Tankrederij) to build Europe’s first bulk liquid chemical barge powered by hydrogen.   This is part of INOVYN’s ongoing strategy to develop green hydrogen and replace existing carbon-based sources of energy, feedstocks, and fuel.

The hydrogen-powered barge will transport vital raw materials for INOVYN between its sites at Antwerp and Jemeppe, Belgium.

The low carbon hydrogen to power the barge will be supplied by INOVYN as a co-product from its chemical manufacturing operations.VT Group will retrofit an existing barge with hydrogen technology, replacing the gas oil combustion technology that is fitted today. This will reduce annual CO₂ emissions by an estimated 1,000 tonnes. 

Comments Wouter Bleukx, Hydrogen Business Manager for INOVYN: “This is the latest example of INOVYN driving the decarbonization agenda as part of INEOS’s €2 billion investment program. Hydrogen-powered transport will play a critical role in Europe’s journey to net-zero and INOVYN is perfectly positioned to drive down emissions in the transport sector as we are already a producer of low-carbon hydrogen and have significant demand for transportation.”

VT Group will own and operate the new barge on behalf of INOVYN. Niels Groenewold, CEO of VT Group comments: “Our strong relationship with INOVYN has always enabled us to innovate. Being able to contribute to a net-zero operation is very valuable to us and is perfectly aligned with our company’s sustainability ambitions.”

INOVYN, through its parent company INEOS, is involved in multiple projects across Europe to develop green hydrogen and replace existing carbon-based sources of energy, feedstocks, and fuel. 

The group will work closely with national and European governments to facilitate hydrogen’s significant role in the new green economy, including this project.

Jokasafe® is the first European vinyl glove manufacturer to launch a new collection based on highly sustainable BIOVYN™ PVC.

On another side: Developed by INOVYN, Europe’s leading PVC producer, BIOVYN™ is a next-generation PVC made using 100% renewable feedstock. Since its global launch in late 2019, BIOVYN™ has been a proven game-changer for a wide range of industries, including textiles, to significantly reduce their carbon footprint.

Designed for demanding professional and industrial applications, all Jokasafe® products use high-quality European PVC and are extremely durable, offering superior protection against chemicals and mechanical abrasion as well as extreme weather conditions. As part of its sustainability strategy, Jokasafe® will launch its new glove collection in early 2022.

Comments Inna Jeschke, INOVYN: “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with Jokasafe to develop its new range.  BIOVYN™ PVC offers a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and, as a ‘drop in’ product, the improvement does not require any changes to Jokasafe’s existing production processes.”

About INOVYN

Part of INEOS, INOVYN is Europe’s leading producer of vinyl and in the top three worldwide. With an annual turnover of €3.1 billion, INOVYN has circa 4,200 employees and chemical manufacturing, sales, and marketing operations in 8 countries across Europe.

INOVYN’s portfolio consists of an extensive range of class-leading products arranged across General Purpose Vinyls; Specialty Vinyls; Organic Chlorine Derivatives; Chlor Alkali; Hydrogen and Vinyls Technologies. INOVYN’s annual commercial production volume is circa 10 million tonnes.