2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
2011-2021 Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program Sector Profile:
Chemicals Sector (Non-Fluorinated)
Table of Contents
CHEMICALS SECTOR (NON-FLUORINATED) 2
Highlights 2
About this Sector 2
Who Reports? 2
Reported Emissions 4
Chemical Sector: Emissions Trends 2011 to 2021 8
Average and Range of Emissions per Reporter 12
Emission Calculation Methods Available for Use 14
Emission Calculation Methodologies for Process Emissions Sources 14
Emission Calculation Methodologies for Stationary Fuel Combustion Units 15
Data Verification and Analysis 15
Other Information 15
Glossary 16
1
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
CHEMICALS SECTOR (NON-FLUORINATED)
All emissions presented here are as of8/12/2022 and exclude biogenic carbon dioxide (C02). All greenhouse gas
(GHG) emission data displayed in units of carbon dioxide equivalent (C02e) reflect the global warming potential
(GWP) valuesfrom TableA-l of 40 CFR 98, which is generally based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change's Fourth Assessment Report (IPCCAR4).
Highlights
• The Chemicals Sector has the 3rd-largest greenhouse gas (GHG] emissions among sectors
reporting to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP],
• The GHG emissions in this sector are emitted predominantly from facilities located in Texas
and Louisiana.
• Emissions from the Chemicals Sector were 179.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent (MMT C02e] in 2021.
• Emissions from this sector increased by 1.1% from 2020 to 2021, and the number of
reporters also increased.
About this Sector
The Non-fluorinated Chemical Manufacturing Sector, hereafter referred to as the Chemicals Sector,
consists of facilities that emit GH Gs from the manufacturing of organic or inorganic chemicals. F or
this summary, the Chemicals Sector comprises facilities that produce Adipic Acid, Ammonia,
Hydrogen (both merchant and captive plants], Nitric Acid, Petrochemicals, Phosphoric Acid, Silicon
Carbide, and Titanium Dioxide. In addition to emissions from these chemical production processes,
this sector includes combustion emissions from facilities that produce pesticides, fertilizer,
pharmaceuticals, and other organic and inorganic chemicals.
Who Reports?
In 2021, 442 facilities in the Chemicals Sector submitted GHG reports. Total reported emissions
were 179.9 MMT C02e. In 2021, the Chemicals Sector represented about 5.9% ofthe facilities
reporting direct emissions to the GHGRP, and 3.0% of total U.S. GHG emissions.1 Table 1 shows the
reporting schedule and GHGRP coverage by subpart as of2012. When the program began in 2011,
for all of the subsectors except Hydrogen Production and Other Chemicals, all US facilities reported
to the GHGRP. Due to the GHGRP off-ramping provisions, some facilities may have qualified to
discontinue reporting.2 Table 2 shows the number of reporters from 2011 to 2021 for each
subsector, and Table 3 shows the GHG emissions from 2011 to 2021 for each subsector. Figure 1
shows the percentage of emissions by subsector for 2021.
1 Total U.S. GHG emissions for 2020 were 5,981 MMT CChe.as reported in the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and
Sinks: 1990-2020. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. April 14,2022. EPA 430-R-22-003. Available at:
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks.
2 Refer to FAQ: When is a Facility Eligible to Stop Reporting? Available at:
http://www.ccdsupport.com/confluence/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=243139271.
2
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
Table 1:
Chemicals Sector
- Reporting Schedule and GHGRP Coverage by Subpart
Subpart
Source
Category/Subsector
Applicability
First
Reporting
Year
Estimated
Percent of
Industry
Facilities
Covered by
GHGRP3
Estimated
Percent of
Industry
Emissions
Covered by
GHGRP3
E
Adipic Acid
Production
All facilities
2010
100%
100%
G
Ammonia
Manufacturing
All facilities
2010
100%
100%
P
Hydrogen Production
Facilities emitting greater than
or equal to 25,000 metric tons
C02e/year
2010
78%b
90%c
V
Nitric Acid Production
All facilities
2010
100%
100%
X
Petrochemical
Production
All facilities
2010
100%
100%
Z
Phosphoric Acid
Production
All facilities
2010
100%
100%
BB
Silicon Carbide
Production
All facilities
2010
100%
100%
EE
Titanium Dioxide
Production
All facilities
2010
100%
100%
C
Other Chemicals
The subset of facilities that
emit greater than or equal to
25,000 metric tons C02e/yr,
reported only under Subpart
C (stationary fuel combustion)
and that reported North
2010
N/Ad
N/Ad
American Industry
Classification System
(NAICS) codes starting with
325 (except for 325193,
3252XX, 325510, and325920)
0 Coverage is provided as of Reporting Year 2012.
b Estimate of size of industry is based on the following source: Hydrogen Analysis Resource Center, Pacific National
Laboratory. "MerchantHydrogen PlantCapacitiesin North America"and "Captive, On-Purpose, Refinery Hydrogen
Production Capacities at Individual U.S. Refineries" available at: https://h2tools.org/hyarc/hydrogen-production.
Facilities with no Hydrogen Production capacity were not counted.
c Estimate of size of industry emissions is based on the above sources, considering the cumulative capacity as
indicator ofGHG emissions.
d Due to the diversity of facilities and products within the Other Chemicals subsector, the U.S. population of all
facilities in this subsector is not available.
3
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
Table 2: Chemicals Sector - Number of Reporters (2011-2021)a
Subsector
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Total Chemicals Sector
442
452
457
449
450
441
443
441
437
437
442
Adipic Acid Production
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
Ammonia Manufacturing
22
22
23
23
23
26
29
29
29
29
29
Hydrogen Production
105
109
109
109
110
113
114
115
112
114
114
Nitric Acid Production
36
36
35
34
34
34
33
32
32
32
31
Petrochemical Production
64
65
65
65
68
68
67
69
71
72
75
Phosphoric Acid Production
13
13
12
12
12
12
11
10
9
9
9
Silicon Carbide Production
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Titanium Dioxide Production
7
7
7
7
7
6
6
6
6
6
6
Other Chemicals
215
220
226
219
215
204
207
204
202
199
202
0 Thetotal number of reporters is less than thesum of the number of reporters in each individual source category
because some facilities report to more than one source category.
Reported Emissions
Figure 1:2021 Total Reported Emissions from Chemicals Sector, by Subsector
Subsector
| Petrochemical Production 35.2 %
| Hydrogen Production 23.0 %
Ammonia Manufacturing 19.1 %
Other Chemicals 10.4 %
Adipic Acid Production 5.2 %
Nitric Acid Production 5.0 %
Titanium Dioxide Production 1.3 %
Phosphoric Acid Production 0.7 %
| Silicon Carbide Production 0.1 %
Click here to view the most current information using the Facility Level Information on Greenhouse
Gases Tool (FLIGHT],
4
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
Figure 2: Location and Relative Emissions for Facilities Reporting in the Chemicals
Sector (2021)
*•
o
&
O
C O
,0:
¦So
o °
O
O o
GHGRP, 2021
Chemicals Sector Emissions (Metric Tons C02e )
0 8,000,000
% 6,000,000
• 4,000,000
• 2,000,000
• 0
Note: Each circle on the map corresponds to a facility reporting inthe chemicals sector. Both the size and color
of each circle are continuous gradients corresponding to a facility's emissions.
Figure 2 shows the locations of chemical facilities in the continental United States. Sizes of circles
correspond to the quantity of emissions reported by the facility. There are also chemical facilities
located in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico (https://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting/ghgrp-power-
plants].
Readers can identify the largest emitting facilities by visiting the FLIGHT website
(http://ghgdata.epa.gov/ghgp/main.do].
5
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
As shown in Figure 3, a large percentage of emissions from the Chemicals Sector originate in Texas
and Louisiana. In 2021, the emissions from these two states totaled 101.9 MMT C02e, which is
56.6% of the total emissions from the Chemicals Sector. Eight of the nine subsectors are
represented in these two states. Only Silicon Carbide Production, which has one reporter, is not
represented in Texas or Louisiana. The Petrochemical Production subsector is especially
concentrated, with about 86.7% of facilities and 90.6% of GHG emissions from the subsector
located in these two states.
6
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
Figure 3: Direct Emissions by State from the Chemicals Sector (2021)a
Texas
Louisiana -
California
Florida ¦
Oklahoma
Iowa
Tennessee
Mississippi
Ohio
North Dakota
Kansas
Illinois
Alabama
Georgia
Indiana
Arkansas
Minnesota
Virginia
Wyoming
Washington
West Virginia ¦
Kentucky
Montana
Michigan
Idaho ¦
Delaware
North Carolina ¦
Nebraska ¦ I
Missouri ¦
Pennsylvania ¦
New Jersey
Arizona -
Colorado ¦
South Carolina ¦
Utah ¦
Oregon ¦
Puerto Rico ¦
Massachusetts
New Mexico -
Alaska
Maryland ¦
Hawaii ¦
Wisconsin ¦
New York-
Nevada¦
Subsector
| Petrochemical Production
| Hydrogen Production
Ammonia Manufacturing
Other Chemicals
Adipic Acid Production
Nitric Acid Production
Titanium Dioxide Production
| Phosphoric Acid Production
Silicon Carbide Production
0 20 40
Emissions (MMT C02e)
60
0 Represents total emissions reported to the GHGRP from this sector. States not shown had no chemicals sector
emissions reported to the GHGRP in 2021 .Additional emissions may occur at facilities that have not reported, such
as those below the reporting threshold.
Click here to view the most current information using FLIGHT.
7
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
Chemical Sector: Emissions Trends 2011 to 2021
Emissions from the Chemicals Sector increased by 1.9 MMT C02e from 2020 to 2021 (a 1.1%
increase]. Within the chemicals sector, the sub sector with the largest amount of absolute growth in
emissions was in the Petrochemical Production subsector, which increased by 4.2 MMT, and the
largest percent change was in the Titanium Dioxide Production sector (13.3%]. The cause ofthese
changes is discussed in the longer-term emission trends section below.
Longer-term emissions trends for the Chemicals Sector are shown in Table 3 and Figure 4 below.
The three subsectors with the largest percentage change in emissions from 2011 to 2021 are
Ammonia Manufacturing Silicon Carbide Production, and Phosphoric Acid Production, respectively.
These trends are explained further below.
The non-fluorinated chemicals sector of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP] includes
facilities that manufacture adipic acid, ammonia, hydrogen, nitric acid, petrochemicals, phosphoric
acid, silicon carbide, titanium dioxide, and other chemicals (i.e., facilities with various NAICS codes
related to chemical production]. Overall, the greenhouse gas emissions reported by the non-
fluorinated chemicals sector have increased from 163.1 million metric tons (MMT] C02e in 2011 to
179.9 MMT CC>2e (10%] in 2021. After a slight decrease (2.7%] from 2011 to 2012, emissions
steadily increased by 1% to 6% peryear through 2018, before decreasing by 6.3 MMT C02e (3.4%]
for 2019, and then increasing by 0.63 MMT CChe (0.35%] for 2020 and 1.9 MMT CChe (1.1%] for
2021. Over 75% ofthe emissions from this sector are emitted from the combined production of
petrochemicals (63 MMTC02e in 2021], hydrogen (41 MMT C02e in 2021] and ammonia (34 MMT
C022e in 2021], Petrochemical production was the largest contributor to the emissions increase
from the non-fluorinated chemicals sector between 2020 and 2021.
Ammonia Production. Reported emissions from ammonia production increased from 24.9 MMT
C02e in 2011 to 34.4 MMT C02e in 2021 (9.6 MMT C02e or 39%]. This is mostly due to an increase
in the number of ammonia production facilities from 22 in 2011 to 29 in 2021. New ammonia
production facilities were opened in 2013 (1], 2016 (3], and 2017 (3], The number of ammonia
production facilities reporting to the GHGRPhas not changed since 2017. Emissions between 2017
and 2021 have varied from a low of 33.1 MMT C02e in 2017 to a high of 36.3 MMT C02e in 2020.
Emissions in 2021 were 1.8 MMT C02e (5%] lower than reported in 2020.
Hydrogen Production. Reported emissions from the hydrogen production subsector increased by
10.2% (3.8 MMT C02e] from 37.5 MMT C02e in 2011 to 41.4 MMT C02e in 2021. The overall
increase in emissions is at least partly driven by increased demand for hydrogen by petroleum
refineries due to an expansion of the scope of engines required to use low sulfur and ultra-low
sulfur diesel fuel. Lowering the sulfur content ofdiesel fuel is achieved by increasing hydro-treating
capacity of fluid catalytic crackers and requires additional inputs of hydrogen at refineries.
Emissions from hydrogen production decreased by 6.5 % (2.9 MMT C02e] from 2019 to 2020,
primarily due to a drop in diesel demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Emissions increased
slightly in 2 021 by 0.1 MMT C02e (0.3%] but remained 2.8 MMT C02e below pre-pandemic levels.
Petrochemical Production. Reported emissions from the petrochemical production subsector
increased by 10.7 MMT C02e (20%] from 2011 to 2021 as the number of petrochemical plants
increased from 64 plants in 2011 to 75 plants in 2021. Emissions increased by 4.2 MMT C02e from
2020 to 2021, the majority (2.2 MMT C02e] ofwhich was due to new petrochemical production
facilities and increased production in 2021 at a facility that started up in 2020.
8
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
Table 3: Chemicals Sector - Emissions (MMT C02e) by Subsector (2011 - 2021)a,b
Subsector
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Total Chemicals
Sector
163.1
158.6
161.2
165.4
166.8
169.6
174.6
183.6
177.4
178.0
179.9
Adipic Acid
Production
11.9
7.0
5.7
7.2
6.1
8.8
9.1
12.1
6.9
9.9
9.3
Ammonia
Manufacturing
24.9
25.0
24.9
24.2
25.6
28.3
33.1
35.7
35.2
36.3
34.4
Hydrogen Production
37.5
40.1
42.0
44.3
43.7
44.5
45.6
45.4
44.1
41.3
41.4
Nitric Acid Production
11.5
11.0
11.2
11.2
11.8
10.4
9.8
9.8
10.2
9.5
9.0
Petrochemical
Production
52.7
51.5
52.3
53.5
54.6
53.8
54.2
57.9
58.3
59.2
63.4
Phosphoric Acid
Production
1.7
1.8
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.4
1.3
Silicon Carbide
Production
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
Titanium Dioxide
Production
2.4
2.1
2.4
2.5
2.3
2.4
2.3
2.1
1.9
2.0
2.3
Other Chemicals
20.4
19.9
20.8
20.7
20.8
19.8
19.1
19.1
19.2
18.4
18.7
0 These values representtotal emissions reported to the GHGRP in these industry subsectors. A dditional emissions
may occur at facilities that have not reported (e.g., those below the 25,000 MTCC>2e reporting threshold applicable
to the Hydrogen Production and Other Chemicals subsectors).
b Totals might not sum due to independent rounding.
9
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
Figure 4: Annual Reported Direct Emissions from the Chemicals Sector, by Subsector
(2011-2021)
60-
u 40-
i/i 20
c
o
0-
Petrochemical Production
Hydrogen Production
Ammonia Manufacturing
Other Chemicals
Adipic Acid Production
Nitric Acid Production
Titanium Dioxide Production
Phosphoric Acid Production
Silicon Carbide Production
20112012 2013 20142015 2016 2017 20182019 2020 2021
Year
Click here to view the most current information using FLIGHT.
Chemical Sector emissions are generated from fuel combustion, sorbentuse, carbonate use, and
other industrial processes. As shown in Table 4, CO2 is the primary GHG emitted from all chemical
production subsectors, exceptfor the NitricAcid Production and Adipic Acid Production subsectors.
N2O is produced as a by-product of nitric acid and adipic acid processes and is the primary GHG
emitted from these two subsectors. Small amounts of methane (CH4] are emitted from facilities in
all subsectors, primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels or process off-gases for energy
recovery or to control emissions of volatile organic compounds or organic hazardous air pollutants.
Table 5 shows total reported process and fuel combustion emissions for each subsector.
10
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
Table 4: Chemicals Sector - Emissions by GHG (MMT C02e)a
Chemicals Sector
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Number of Facilities
442
452
457
449
450
441
443
441
437
437
442
Total Emissions
163.1
158.6
161.2
165.4
166.8
169.6
174.6
183.6
177.4
178.0
179.9
C02
Adipic Acid Production
1.6
1.6
1.8
1.8
1.9
1.7
1.7
1.6
1.7
1.6
1.9
Ammonia Manufacturing
24.8
25.0
24.9
24.2
25.6
28.3
33.1
35.7
35.2
36.2
34.4
Hydrogen Production
37.5
40.1
42.0
44.3
43.7
44.5
45.6
45.4
44.1
41.3
41.4
Nitric Acid Production
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
Petrochemical Production
52.4
51.2
52.0
53.1
54.3
53.5
53.8
57.5
57.9
58.8
62.9
Phosphoric Acid Production
1.7
1.8
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.4
1.3
Silicon Carbide Production
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
Titanium Dioxide Production
2.4
2.1
2.3
2.5
2.3
2.4
2.3
2.1
1.9
2.0
2.3
Other Chemicals
20.3
19.9
20.7
20.7
20.8
19.7
19.0
19.0
19.2
18.4
18.7
CH4
Adi pic Acid Production
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Ammonia Manufacturing
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Hydrogen Production
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Nitric Acid Production
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Petrochemical Production
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3
0.3
Phosphoric Acid Production
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Silicon Carbide Production
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Titanium Dioxide Production
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Other Chemicals
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
N2O
Adi pic Acid Production
10.2
5.3
3.9
5.4
4.3
7.1
7.5
10.5
5.3
8.3
7.4
Ammonia Manufacturing
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Hydrogen Production
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Nitric Acid Production
10.9
10.5
10.7
10.9
11.6
10.1
9.5
9.6
10.0
9.3
8.8
Petrochemical Production
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
Phosphoric Acid Production
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Silicon Carbide Production
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Titanium Dioxide Production
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Other Chemicals
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
0 Totals might not sum due to independent rounding.
11
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
Table 5: Chemicals Sector - Emissions (MMT C02e) from Industrial Processes and
Fuel Combustion3,b
Subsector
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Adipic Acid Production
11.9
7.0
5.7
7.2
6.1
8.8
9.1
12.1
6.9
9.9
9.3
Fuel Combustion
1.6
1.6
1.8
1.8
1.9
1.7
1.7
1.6
1.7
1.6
1.9
Other Processes
10.2
5.3
3.9
5.4
4.3
7.1
7.5
10.5
5.3
8.3
7.4
Ammonia Manufacturing
24.9
25.0
24.9
24.2
25.6
28.3
33.1
35.7
35.2
36.3
34.4
Fuel Combustion
10.8
10.8
10.5
9.6
11.2
12.7
14.0
15.2
14.4
14.8
14.5
Other Processes
14.0
14.2
14.4
14.6
14.4
15.6
19.1
20.5
20.8
21.4
19.9
Hydrogen Production
37.5
40.1
42.0
44.3
43.7
44.5
45.6
45.4
44.1
41.3
41.4
Fuel Combustion
1.3
1.4
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.3
1.5
1.6
1.4
1.4
1.5
Other Processes
36.2
38.7
40.4
42.7
42.1
43.2
44.1
43.8
42.8
39.8
39.9
Nitric Acid Production
11.5
11.0
11.2
11.2
11.8
10.4
9.8
9.8
10.2
9.5
9.0
Fuel Combustion
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
Other Processes
10.9
10.5
10.7
10.9
11.6
10.1
9.5
9.6
10.0
9.3
8.8
Other Chemicals
20.4
19.9
20.8
20.7
20.8
19.8
19.1
19.1
19.2
18.4
18.7
Fuel Combustion
20.3
19.9
20.7
20.7
20.7
19.7
19.0
19.0
19.2
18.4
18.7
Petrochemical Production
52.7
51.5
52.3
53.5
54.6
53.8
54.2
57.9
58.3
59.2
63.4
Fuel Combustion
43.2
42.0
44.0
43.8
45.2
44.1
43.3
46.5
45.9
46.2
48.9
Other Processes
9.4
9.5
8.3
9.6
9.4
9.7
10.9
11.4
12.4
13.0
14.5
Phosphoric Acid Production
1.7
1.8
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.4
1.3
Fuel Combustion
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.5
Other Processes
1.2
1.1
1.2
1.1
1.1
1.0
0.9
1.0
0.9
0.9
0.9
Silicon Carbide Production
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
Fuel Combustion
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Other Processes
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
Titanium Dioxide Production
2.4
2.1
2.4
2.5
2.3
2.4
2.3
2.1
1.9
2.0
2.3
Fuel Combustion
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
0.9
0.9
0.8
0.8
0.9
Other Processes
1.3
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.2
1.3
0 Emission values presented may differ slightly from other publicly available GHGRP data due to minor differences
in the calculation methodology. Totals might not sum due to independent rounding and minor emissions from
sorbent use and/or miscellaneous use of carbonate included in the totals.
b Emissions from fuel combustion are defined here as emissions reported under Subpart C.
Average and Range of Emissions per Reporter
Figure 5 displays emissions per reporter in the Chemicals Sector and for the GHGRP program
overall.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
Figure 5: Average Emissions per Reporter from the Chemicals Sector (2021)
0.85
0.09
Petrochemical Production
Hydrogen Production-
Ammonia Manufacturing-
Other Chemicals ¦
Adipic Acid Production-
Nitric Acid Production
Titanium Dioxide Production-
Phosphoric Acid Production-MO. 15
Silicon Carbide Production-l0.10
All GHGRP (Direct Emitters Only)-
0
0.36
0.29
0.38
0.36
1.19
4.64
2 3 4
Emissions (MMT C02e)
Table 6 and Figure 6 show the number and percentage of reporters within each emission range in
MMT CC>2e, respectively. Figure 6 additionally shows a comparison to the GHGRP overall.
Emission Range (MMT C02e)
0-0.025
0.025 - 0.05
0.05 - 0.1
0.1 - 0.25
0.25 -1
> 1
Adipic Acid Production
0
0
0
0
0
2
Ammonia Manufacturing
0
0
2
2
14
11
Hydrogen Production
15
11
14
19
50
5
Nitric Acid Production
8
2
3
4
13
1
Petrochemical Production
1
1
7
16
28
22
Phosphoric Acid Production
0
0
2
6
1
0
Silicon Carbide Production
0
0
0
1
0
0
Titanium Dioxide Production
0
0
0
1
5
0
Other Chemicals
32
73
57
25
14
1
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
Figure 6: Percentage of Facilities in the Chemicals Sector by Emission Ranges (2021)
Emissions (MMT C02e)
Emission Calculation Methods Available for Use
Emission Calculation Methodologies for Process Emissions Sources
Chemical facilities must calculate GHG process emissions using one of the following methods:
• CEMS. Operate a CEMS to measure CO2 emissions according to requirements specified in 40
CFR Part 98, Subpart C (does not apply to the Adipic Acid Production and Nitric Acid
Production subsectors],
• Carbon mass balance. Calculate process CO2 emissions based on measurements of the
annual mass of process inputs/outputs, and periodic analyses of the weight fraction of
carbon in all inputs and outputs.
• Site-specific emission factor. Develop an emission factor by conducting performance tests
and measuring process feed rates during the tests.
• Default emission factors. Use a default emission factor provided in the rule. The default
emission factor was calculated as the average emissions for facilities in a source category
based on all available data of acceptable quality (i.e., a population average].
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
• Alternative method. FortheAdipicAcidProductionandNitricAcidProductionsubsectors,
facilities may submit a request to EPA for approval of an alternative emission estimation
method. For ethylene process units (in the Petrochemical Production subsector], facilities
can use an alternative method (without prior approval] basedon measuring emissions from
the combustion of ethylene process off-gas streams.
Emission Calculation Methodologies for Stationary Fuel Combustion Units
For fuel combustion emissions, facilities must generally follow the applicable tier methodology
prescribed in Subpart C (general stationary fuel combustion sources] to calculate CO2, CH4, and N2O
emissions. The calculation methodologies for Subpart C are explained here.
Data Verification and Analysis
As a part of the reporting and verification process, EPA evaluates annual GHG reports with
electronic checks and staff review as needed. EPA contacts facilities regarding potential substantive
errors and facilities resubmit reports as errors are identified. Additional information on EPA's
verification process is available here.
Other Information
The EPA currently tracks greenhouse gases and their sources through two complementary
programs: GHGRPdataandthelnventoryofU.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks (Inventory],
The Inventory estimates the total greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors of the economy using
a "top down" approach generally using aggregated national data, while the GHGRP uses a "bottom
up" approach collecting emissions data from the nation's largest GHG emitting facilities. The
processes and industries covered by the Chemicals Sector are also covered by the Inventory, but the
emissions are not directly correlated due to differences in coverage and difference in calculation
methodologies. More details about the differences between the Inventory and the GHGRP are
provided here: https://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting/greenhouse-gas-reporting-program-and-us-
inventory-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks
GHGRP GHG emissions summaries presented here differ from those presented in the Inventory, due
to reporting and methodological differences. For example, the Inventory, in meeting the UNFCCC
reporting guidelines, reports process emissions under the Industrial Processes and Product Use
(IPPU] category while fuel combustion emissions are reported separately under the Energy
category in the Inventory.
The Inventory uses annual GHGRP data in a number of categories to improve the national
estimates, consistent with IPCC guidelines. For certain source categories (e.g., nitric acid
production, petrochemical production and ammonia production], the Inventory integrates data
values that have been calculated by aggregating GHGRP data that are considered confidential
business information (CBI] at the facility level. Specific uses of aggregated facility-level data are
described in the respective methodological sections of the Inventory.
For other source categories in the Inventory, EPA is continuing to analyze how facility-level GHGRP
data may be used to improve the national estimates presented in the Inventory, giving particular
consideration to ensuring time-series consistency and completeness.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
Glossary
Adipic Acid is a white crystalline solid used in the manufacture of synthetic fibers, plastics,
coatings, urethane foams, elastomers, and synthetic lubricants. Food-grade adipic acid is used to
provide some food products with a tangy flavor.
Ammonia is mainly used as fertilizer; directly applied as anhydrous ammonia; or further processed
into urea, ammonium nitrates, ammonium phosphates, and other nitrogen compounds. Ammonia
also is used to produce plastics, synthetic fibers and resins, and explosives.
Direct emitters are facilities that combust fuels or otherwise put GHGs into the atmosphere
directly from their facilities. Alternatively, Suppliers are entities that supply certain fossil fuels or
fluorinated gases into the economy that-when combusted, released, or oxidized - emit GHGs into
the atmosphere.
FLIGHT refers to EPA's GHG data publication tool, named the Facility Level Information on
Greenhouse Gases Tool [https://ghgdata.epa.gov/ghgp/main.do].
GHGRP means EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (40 CFR Part 98],
GHGRP vs. GHG Inventory: EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP] collects and
disseminates annual GHGdata from individual facilities and suppliers across the U.S. economy. EPA
also develops the annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks (GHG Inventory] to
tracktotal national emissions of GHGs to meet U.S. government commitments to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change. The GHGRP and Inventory datasets are complementary;
however, there are also important differences in the data and approach. For more information,
please refer to https://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting/greenhouse-gas-reporting-program-and-us-
inventory- greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks.
Hydrogen Production: Hydrogen is mostly used in the production of ammonia and other
chemicals or in industrial applications such as hydrocracking or hydrotreating processes during
petroleum refining, metals treating, and food processing. Hydrogen Production processes are
classified as either captive or merchant. A captive process is owned by the facility that uses the
hydrogen in a production process. A merchant plant sells hydrogen to another entity. The GHG
emissions from captive hydrogen processes at Ammonia Manufacturing facilities are included in the
Ammonia Manufacturing subsector.
IPCC AR4 refers to the Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change. Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the
Fourth Assessment Reportofthe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team,
Pachauri, R.K. and Reisinger, A. (eds.]]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, 2007. The AR4 values also can be
found in the current version of Table A-l in Subpart A of 40 CFR Part 98.
MMT means million metric tons.
NAICS means the North American Industry Classification System, the standard used by federal
statistical agencies to classify business establishments into industrial categories for collecting and
publishing statistical data related to the U.S. economy.
Nitric acid is used in the manufacture of nitrogen-based fertilizers, adipic acid, and explosives.
Nitric acid is also used for metal etching and processing of ferrous metals.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Chemicals
The Other Chemicals subsector comprises facilities that reportedunder Subpart C (stationary fuel
combustion sources] only and reported NAICS codes starting with 325. This subsector excludes
NAICScodes325193 (ethyl alcohol], 3252XX(syntheticrubber/fibers], 325510 (paints/coatings],
and 325920 (explosives], which are included in the sector called "Miscellaneous Combustion
Sources."
The Petrochemical Production subsector consists of processes that produce acrylonitrile, carbon
black, ethylene, ethylene dichloride, ethylene oxide, or methanol.
• The primary use of acrylonitrile is in the production of synthetic fibers.
• Carbonblackis used primarily as a reinforcing agent in tires and other rubber compounds,
and also has applications as a pigment.
• Ethylene is used as a feedstock in the production of polyethylene and other chemicals such
as ethylene oxide, ethylene dichloride, and ethylbenzene.
• Nearly all ethylene dichloride is used in the production of vinyl chloride monomer, which
issued in the production of polyvinyl chloride, a common plastic.
• Ethylene oxide is used as a feedstock in the manufacture of glycols, glycol ethers, alcohols,
and amines.
• Methanol is used as a feedstock in the production of acetic acid, formaldehyde, and other
chemicals.
Process emissions means the emissions from industrial processes involving chemical or physical
transformations other than fuel combustion. For example, the calcination of carbonates in a kiln
during cement production or the oxidation of methane in an ammonia process results in the release
of process CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. Emissions from fuel combustion to provide process
heat are not part of process emissions, whether the combustion is internal or external to the
process equipment.
Phosphoric Acid is used primarily in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers, but it is also used in
food and animal feed additives.
Silicon Carbide is used as an industrial abrasive and to produce ceramics for applications
requiring high endurance. Applications of silicon carbide include semiconductors; body armor;
brakes; clutches; and the manufacture of Moissanite, a diamond substitute.
Titanium Dioxide is used as a white pigment in paint manufacturing, paper, plastics, and other
applications.
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