Energy efficiency fuels SME’ s good business performance
The chemical industry in Europe consumes 5.7 exa-joules of energy per year as feedstock and fuel. Energy cost can be up to 60% of production cost for certain chemical products. Therefore enhanced energy efficiency should be an essential part of any good business plan, especially for a chemical SME.

Energy efficiency can open the gate to many sustainable business opportunities at a time when economic constraints have become more severe. Dedicating company resources to energy efficiency reduces cost and measures often pay off already in the short term for a SME. However, energy consumption is not always seen as a priority in chemical SMEs. CARE+ will help small businesses to evaluate their potential energy savings and the expected return on investment.

First figures show a considerable potential
The potential for energy savings in chemical SMEs is considered to be large. Indeed, a similar initiative in the chemical industry in the United Kingdom has found an average improvement potential of 15% for the energy efficiency in chemical SME businesses, of which 5% had a pay back of less than three years.

Cefic wants to help its small and medium sized members to tap this potential. Thus, CARE+ promotes the efficient use of energy in the vast number of chemical SMEs across Europe, which account for 96% of enterprises, 30% of sales and 20% of energy use in the chemical sector. Supporting the basis of Europe’s industry will be of a widespread benefit for the whole economy.

A strong partner network
The project, initiated by Cefic, is implemented in collaboration with partners in Bulgaria, Italy and Poland. It will first focus on these countries before going into broader European and international dissemination. CARE+ is funded and supported by the European Commission under the framework of “Intelligent Energy Europe”.

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