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2021 INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT REPORT
Our chemical plants in Spain are located next to our refining facilities and process high-value-added feedstocks.
In the current COVID-19 crisis context, our chemical business is a critical, essential industry producing key raw materials for products as necessary as detergents, disinfectant gels, medical materials, face masks, transparent barriers, safety goggles, etc.
We have petrochemical plants in Spain, Canada, Brazil, Nigeria and China, and oleochemical plants in Indonesia and Germany. Our products are used in a variety of ways as raw materials for detergents, resins, electronic components, synthetic fibres and pharmaceuticals, among others.
In the LAB line in particular, we are proud co-owners of the best manufacturing technology available on the market and we are leaders in its industrial implementation (Detal Project at the Puente Mayorga chemical plant). This year, for example, we successfully completed the transformation of our chemical plant, which allows us to increase LAB production and consolidate our leadership by means of a safer, more efficient and sustainable process that optimises the use of raw materials and electricity while cutting emissions, waste generation and water consumption. Puente Mayorga was the first LAB plant in the world to evolve in this way and has become the first chemical plant to employ the latest generation of DETAL technology. The DETAL technology also enhances the quality and versatility of our linear alkylbenzene. The project has received a number of national and international awards highlighting its innovative nature. The contribution made by this unique LAB production method to the circular economy and sustainability has been possible thanks to a major investment in R&D of new products and manufacturing processes, in active collaboration with external centres and universities.
In December we launched a new range of sustainable products, introducing for the first time renewable and recycled raw materials for our two main products, LAB and Phenol. This is a further step towards strengthening our commitment to sustainable development and our ability to meet our customers' environmental objectives. The dedication of our teams and the progress we have made in R&D in recent years have enabled us to develop this new range of products under the NextLab and NextPhenol brands. It will grow in the coming years thanks to all our future products, which will be sustainably sourced and will have an enhanced environmental footprint.
