Today’s Greenpeace stunt is dangerous, disruptive, and entirely counterproductive. It may grab headlines, but it does absolutely nothing to reduce plastic pollution or deliver real-world solutions, and ultimately threatens skilled Jobs in Scotland.
INEOS produces materials that society relies on every day, from clean drinking water pipes and medical equipment to insulation, lightweight cars, and wind turbine blades. (Even the safety harnesses used by the protestors). These aren’t luxury items they’re essential to modern life and to lowering emissions. In most cases, plastic is the most sustainable option available, confirmed by independent studies (see note to editors), which is why it has so many uses.
The shipment Greenpeace are tying to block is ethane gas, a by-product that has to be taken out of natural gas produced in the US before it can be used to heat homes and businesses. Ethane is used to make high-performance, lightweight plastics that lower emissions and reduce waste. And importing it is necessary because it is no longer available from North Sea.
Let’s also deal with this idea of capping plastic production. A cap does nothing if we don’t fix waste collection and recycling. Without a change in attitudes, to one where plastic is valued and recycled, we will not address the core issue. Placing a cap on production does not address pollution but promotion of effective recycling will.
Unless groups like Greenpeace stop attacking companies like INEOS and start supporting the rollout of waste infrastructure and advanced recycling, they are actively contributing to the problem. They’re standing in the way of the very solutions that are needed, whether we produce more or less plastic.
INEOS is one of the few companies investing in solutions: advanced recycling, circular design, and low-carbon feedstocks. We are building real infrastructure, not hanging banners off bridges.
If Greenpeace truly cared about outcomes, they’d stop targeting the companies delivering change and start supporting serious policy reform on waste collection and global recycling standards.
We will continue to operate safely, legally, and responsibly and we will continue to stand up for British industry, energy security, and practical environmental progress.
ENDS
Press contact
ineos@firstlightgroup.io
+44 20 7193 9030
Note to Editors.
Dont just take our word for it:
Denkstatt Report: https://plasticseurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/201009-Denkstatt-Report.pdf
McKinsey & Company Jul2022 https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/industries/chemicals/our%20insights/climate%20impact%20of%20plastics/climate-impact-of-plastics_vf.pdf
Centre for Environmental Policy,Imperial College: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/faculty-of-natural-sciences/centre-for-environmental-policy/public/Veolia-Plastic-Whitepaper.pdf
Also worth noting that INEOS sends two people to attend the Global Treaty. We dont think that is too many. They are delegates, technical experts and engineers, who can offer real-world insight into how circular systems and chemical recycling can be scaled not lobbyists