Track: Energy Transition and Decarbonisation

Decarbonization is one of the strategic pillars of Ercros’s 3D Plan (2021–2029), aimed at transforming the company towards a more sustainable and competitive model. This presentation outlines the ongoing projects at the Tarragona Industrial Complex, focused on the chlorovinyl chain, an energy- and CO₂-intensive environment.

The strategy is structured around three main lines: improving energy efficiency through heat recovery and reuse; replacing fossil fuels with low-carbon alternatives such as hydrogen and biomass; and electrifying equipment and processes to reduce direct emissions and enable the use of renewable energy.

Overall, these initiatives represent a practical case of applying industrial technologies for the decarbonization of the chemical sector, providing insights into feasibility, integration, and replicability.

The conversation will address the main technological, operational, and scalability challenges associated with integrating green hydrogen into real production environments, along with the opportunities this technology offers to accelerate the transition toward a more efficient, sustainable, and competitive industry.

Etinox® Renew strengthens Ercros’ portfolio of sustainable products and responds to the growing demand for materials with a lower carbon footprint. Achieving ISCC PLUS certification at the Vila-seca II production site has been key to the development of this range, as it supports a model based on the use of non-fossil raw materials and electricity from renewable sources, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with PVC manufacturing.

Europe’s chemical industry is under severe pressure. In response, the European Commission adopted the European Chemicals Industry Action Plan in July 2025. A central follow-up initiative is the Critical Chemicals Alliance, which brings together institutions and stakeholders to identify critical molecules and production sites, address vulnerabilities, and support strategic investment.

These objectives will only be achieved if they are translated into action where the industry actually operates: in Europe’s regions. This debate will therefore examine how regional authorities can help turn the EU policy framework into industrial reality — preserving production, supporting the transformation of strategic sites, enabling decarbonisation, and reinforcing Europe’s long-term competitiveness.