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Proceedings of the
Second International Energy 2030 Conference,
November 4-5, 2008, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
From Cans to Cars – Saving Energy and Resources with Polymers
Dr. Kent Abbas
Borealis Polymers NV, Belgium
Abstract
While requiring relatively little energy and raw materials in production, polymers are contributing significantly to comfort, security and efficiency on a global scale. Just how much energy can be saved with modern design involving polymers and replacing more “traditional” materials like metal, glass or paper will be outlined with the help of some examples:
- Advanced Packaging (Protecting food and medicine with low energy and material consumption)
- Insulation solutions (Keeping heat and cold where it should be)
- Mobility today and tomorrow (Bridging distances with reduced energy use)
These three areas cover by far not all possible present and future uses of this uniquely versatile class of materials, which also contributes to environmental protection in such diverse areas as water filtration and transport, wind energy usage and the prevention of flood and erosion damage. Even in developed countries the use of modern polyethylene (PE) pipe grades for replacing or retrofitting drinking water installations can save up to 30% of water presently lost through leaky installations; benefits in other parts of the world are much higher.
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