Environmental
LSB established specific Sustainability Goals in 2023, targeting the reduction of the environmental impact of our operations. These goals focus on five key areas: Climate Change, Clean Energy, Ecosystem, Water Use, and Product Stewardship.
Key Historical Environmental Achievements
N20
C02
ENERGY
EMISSIONS
GHG Emissions intensity per gross ton of ammonia production
(t CO2e/t NH3 production)
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 2.17 | 2.35 | 2.26 |
| Scope 2 | 0.31 | 0.30 | 0.26 |
| Total | 2.48 | 2.64 | 2.53 |
GHG Emissions in metric tons
(t CO2e)
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 1,507,648 | 1,557,256 | 1,675,731 |
| Scope 2 | 216,473 | 198,748 | 195,345 |
| Total | 1,724,122 | 1,756,004 | 1,871,076 |
Notes: 1 GHG emissions from each facility are reported annually following the EPA’s (Environmental reporting Protocol in 40 CFR 98. Scope 1 emissions are calculated as total emissions generated at the facilities minus CO2 tons consumed in urea production and CO2 tons sold to third parties.
Climate Change
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
We have a stated goal to reduce the overall carbon intensity of ammonia production. Our target is to reduce the CO2e emissions per ton of ammonia production as a company by 25 percent by 2030. We plan to achieve this goal through our announced blue ammonia projects.
Goals
Reduce CO2 equivalent emissions (Scope 1 & 2) per ton of ammonia production by 25% by 2030, with a 2021 emissions baseline.
Identify Greenhouse Gas Emission (GHG) reduction projects, including N2O abatement, and blue/green ammonia production opportunities.
Clean Energy
Goals:
Identify Renewable Energy sources for production facilities – including renewable electricity
Explore renewable natural gas sources used for feedstocks/heating
Ecosystem
Goals:
Compare Toxic Release Inventory reports to industry peers and strive towards zero releases
Continue to report environmental incidents and strive towards zero incidents
Water Use
Conservation, reuse, and generation
As a chemical manufacturer, we use water as a coolant in various processes to generate our finished products. Comprehensive water management is a priority at LSB — including tracking and treatment, and conservation and reuse. We focus on understanding and planning for changing atmospheric conditions and the impact of changing water supplies. For example, at our Cherokee, Alabama manufacturing site we have received a determination from the State of Alabama that some of our nutrient-containing wastewater can be used to fertigate (irrigate and fertilize) crops on adjacent farmland. This water reuse has resulted in significant benefits to the economy and the environment over the last 20 years.
Goals:
Analyze and report total water consumption and water use intensity per ton of gross ammonia production.
Identify opportunities for water reuse and water use reduction
Product Stewardship
Goals:
- Continue supporting The Fertilizer Institute’s 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program
- Ensure customers and end users of our products have up-to-date information to safely handle, use, transport, and dispose of our products in compliance with laws, while following best environmental practices
We are committed to observing all applicable product-related laws and regulations regarding the safe production, handling, transportation, and use of our products. Through our product stewardship endeavors, we work with our customers to understand their regulatory and societal expectations. By sharing regulatory and safety information with our customers, we effectively manage risk and exposure throughout our product lifecycle.
Our Products Support Multiple Industries
LSB supplies industrial and high purity metallurgical grade ammonia for many specialty applications, including water treatment, refrigeration, and power plants emission abatement. Nitric acid is also an important product in our industrial portfolio that is used to manufacture semi-conductors, nylon polyurethane intermediates, and aluminum nitrate. We also provide ammonia and derivative products used as nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrogen is a key nutrient necessary for crop growth and soil quality. Our agricultural products are used for growing a variety of crops. The largest of these being corn, on both an acreage planted and nitrogen per acreage consumption basis. We educate our customers directly and through our membership with The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), to ensure our products are used effectively, safely, and sustainably.
Product Design Use-phase Efficiency
LSB strives to incorporate sustainable attributes into the product design process. Some examples of this include the use of both anti-caking and hard coatings to increase our Ammonium Nitrate product longevity. LSB supports TFI’s 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program, providing growers with guidance on appropriate nutrient use to minimize environmental impacts.