Why be energy efficient?
With energy contributing significantly to operational costs in the chemicals and plastics sector, investment in energy efficiency can make a significant difference to the bottom line.
Capturing and reusing heat generated in the production process, combined with equipment upgrades and process innovation, are examples of how a higher level of energy efficiency can improve profitability and market competitiveness.
Opportunities
There are several energy efficiency strategies to reduce costs in the chemical and plastics sector. These include the following:
Optimise the use of existing equipment
A range of technologies are used in the chemicals and plastics manufacturing sector including motors, pumps and fans, air compressors,...Maintain existing equipment
A large proportion of energy used by chemical companies is related to the operation of furnaces and boilers. The efficient...Improve heat and power recovery
The use of heat recovery is very common in the chemicals industry. Many of the processes used in the industry...Implement process innovation and equipment upgrade
Energy analysis and best practice case studies demonstrate that significant savings can be achieved through innovations in chemical manufacturing processes...Design chemical and plastic products to enable energy efficiency
More than 85% of the outputs from the Australian chemicals and plastics sector are inputs to other sectors in the...
Case studies
- Chemical Bandwidth Study - Exergy Analysis 2006
- US Department of Energy
- PDF 818 KB
This study by the U.S Department of Energy provides valuable insights into potential targets for the development and adoption of advanced, energy efficient technologies in chemicals manufacture. Bandwidth analysis seeks to quantify the differences between current energy consumption levels, state of the art energy use and practical and theoretical minimums at a process level.
- Emerging Energy-Efficient Technologies in Industry: Case Studies of Selected Technologies 2004 (Opens in a new window)
- US Department of Energy
- PDF 500 KB
This report by Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories in the US focuses on the long-term potential for energy efficiency improvement in the US industrial sector. It does this by focusing on five emerging technologies—near net shape casting, membranes, gasification, motor systems and advanced cogeneration.
Key resources
- Significant Opportunities Register – Chemicals Manufacturing (Opens in a new window)
- Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
- PDF 165 KB
- Excel 126 KB
- Website
This register records significant opportunities which have been identified by chemical manufacturers registered with the Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) program. Companies involved in the program must publically report every year on the number of cost-effective opportunities they have identified with a four-year payback or less. This reporting includes providing descriptions of three significant opportunities which have been identified as part of their energy efficiency assessments.
- Eight Step Guide to Supply Chain Sustainability 2012
- Plastics and Chemicals Association of Australia
This interactive resource is designed to help organisations engage with their supply chain partners. The guide helps organisations and their supply chain partners to reduce costs and create value by improving resource efficiency, reducing risks, creating market advantage, encouraging innovation and strengthening relationships.
- Energy Efficient Water Cooling Systems in Chemical Manufacturing 2001
- UK Carbon Trust
This resource has been designed to help UK chemicals companies achieve more energy efficient operation of their cooling water systems. It is estimated that many companies could reduce the energy used for cooling by 10% without major investment, simply by reviewing operating procedures, maintenance and design. This guide will help companies to focus on areas that will bring them the greatest savings, e.g. pumps, drives, cooling towers, design and control, and discover which publication will help them to put into practice techniques to make those savings.
Note, this publication is free to access, but users must register first.
Key sub-sector resources
- Energy Efficiency Improvement and Cost Saving Opportunities for the Pharmaceutical Industry, An Energy Guide for Plant Managers 2006 (Opens in a new window)
- Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- PDF 440 KB
Developed by the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, this research provides information on potential energy efficiency opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry. It was developed for energy and plant managers as part of the Energy Star program.
Specific energy savings measures are described for a range of technologies including motor systems, compressed air systems, refrigeration and fume hoods. Typical payback periods and references to further information in the technical literature are also provided, where available.
- Energy Efficiency Improvement and Cost Saving Opportunities for the Petrochemical Industry 2008 (Opens in a new window)
- Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- PDF 1.8 MB
Developed by the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, this research provides information on potential energy efficiency opportunities for the petrochemical industry for energy and plant managers as part of the Energy Star program.
Specific energy savings measures are described for a range of technologies including steam systems, furnaces, electric motors, compressed air systems and process specific energy efficiency measures. Typical payback periods and references to further information in the technical literature are also provided, where available.
- Practical Tips for Energy Saving in the Rubber Processing Industry 1999
- UK Carbon Trust
This short guide from the UK Carbon Trust provides practical tips on how to save energy in the rubber processing industry based on industry experience. A method for undertaking an initial energy management assessment is provided. Practical energy saving measures that apply particularly to the rubber industry are discussed.
Note, this publication is free to access, but users must register first.