ISCC+ (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) is a voluntary certification scheme designed to validate sustainability characteristics of alternative feedstocks. The site of the system user is certified as: Collecting Point, Plastic waste processor, Pyrolysis plant.
ISCC+ accreditation is voluntary but without it QMRE would be unable to deal commercially with major industry players such as Petrochem companies, who are accredited. As a result the achievement is a hugely significant commercial development for the company.
The process was managed by a small team within QMRE comprising Sarah Lhermette (PA to QMRE CEO), Lauren Gingell (Company Secretary) and Phoebe Allingham (Material Supply Co-ordinator). It took more than six months from start to finish, and involved the team registering within the ISCC+ system and then liaising with an ISCC+ auditor – Aardvark Certification Limited – working on behalf of the accreditation body.
Full traceability
The concept behind accreditation is full traceability of every aspect of the operation from receipt of raw materials – plastic waste – through to making the oil then onto final delivery destination. This involved much testing and paperwork – batch numbering, labelling, storage, noting mass balances, weighbridge ticketing and repeatedly logging in items and monitoring the system throughout.
Following an internal audit by Lauren Gingell, Aardvark were invited to undertake an onsite audit. The result was a positive outcome for QMRE with the company having successfully achieved ISCC+ status.
Commenting on the entire process Sarah Lhermette said: “While the schedule was demanding we are very happy with the result and this puts us on course to drive forward with our network plans.”
QMRE’s commercial partner, A & M Renewables, which owns a VIXLA system currently operated by QMRE on behalf of A & M at their Hoo HQ, was also delighted with the ISCC+ certification. “This is a vital piece of the jigsaw which enables us to provide a laser-like commercial focus on our development plans,” commented A & M director Dr Andy Evason.
Image provided by QMRE