Renewable Natural Gas
The Moeve plant in Bécancour integrates RNG to launch a new product
Under a long-term agreement signed in 2024, the Moeve plant in Bécancour purchases large quantities of renewable natural gas (RNG) from Énergir for the production of linear alkylbenzene (LAB), a compound used in the manufacture of biodegradable detergents and cleaners. Dubbed NextLab Low Carbon, this low-carbon compound, compared to a regular compound, is part of the new NextLab family. This true innovation is part of the overall Positive Motion global decarbonization strategy of Moeve, a global leader in mobility and renewable energy, as well as in chemicals.
Ambitious decarbonization targets
Moeve is committed to an extensive program to decarbonize its industrial activities, including LAB production, in which it is the world leader. The company has undertaken to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030, compared with 2019 levels. To this end, it plans to invest several billion dollars over the decade, including in the development of carbon-neutral or low-carbon products such as the NextLab Low Carbon manufactured at the Bécancour plant.
Cleaning up the cleaning industry
“According to the latest research,1 the household cleaning industry could be responsible for around 10% of chemical and petrochemical carbon emissions into the atmosphere,” says Virginia Sanchez, Global Marketing Head of Surfactants at Moeve. “LAB is a compound used in more than 60% of biodegradable detergents sold worldwide. By integrating RNG into our production process, we are helping to reduce the environmental footprint of this sector.” According to Moeve, using NextLab Low Carbon reduces the carbon footprint of detergents by 19% compared to using a conventional LAB across its life cycle.
A new certification system
The Bécancour plant was also the first Moeve plant to develop its own certification system to guarantee the traceability of production from renewable energy sources. AENOR, the Spanish association for standardization and certification, has also approved and validated this traceability system for the use of renewable energy in the production of the Quebec plant’s low-carbon LAB. This certificate issued by AENOR not only ensures the traceability of renewable energy throughout the production and consumption chain but also certifies its renewable origin.
“In the cleaning products industry, sustainability has become a major concern and our clients, mainly detergent producers, are looking for low-carbon solutions to meet their decarbonization targets,” explains Ms. Sanchez. “With NextLab, we offer them an effective and traceable way to achieve these goals and meet the demands of consumers, who are increasingly sensitive and demanding when it comes to environmental impact of products.”
A global model
Developed in 2023 by the Bécancour plant for the North American market, low-carbon LAB has also been produced since 2024 by the Moeve plant in Puente Mayorga, Cadiz, Spain, to meet the needs of the company’s customers in Europe and Asia. In addition, Moeve intends to expand the use of renewable energy in its plants, starting with the one in Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Andalusia in 2025. “Other Moeve plants are expected to follow suit in the next few years,” says Myriam Lavergne, Director of Resources and Processing at the Moeve Bécancour plant.
1 Saygin & Dolf Gielen, 2021 ; David Bott, 2023.