"Ascend operates the largest adipic acid production site in North America, making it a large consumer of phenol and cyclohexane. The predominant use of adipic acid is polyamide 66, followed by polyurethanes, food additives and pharmaceuticals – all high-growth uses. Our industry faces an imminent need for more sustainable, cost-competitive aromatic derivatives. Potential competitive threats from non-traditional, lower-carbon technologies are poised to disrupt the traditional route to adipic acid.

• Ascend operates the largest adipic acid production facility in North America and utilizes phenol and cyclohexane
• Our adipic goes into high-growth applications and we see demand increasing for the foreseeable future
• Majority is PA66, which will see growth from EVs, electrification
• Adipic is also used in food, medicine and polyurethanes
• One of the more exciting new uses for adipic is PBAT, a biodegradable copolymer
• Our industry must adapt and become more sustainable
• Our customers have set aggressive targets and are looking to us to help meet those targets
• We have committed to an 80% reduction in scope 1 emissions by 2030
• When we look at the remaining addressable footprint, scope 3 emissions from raw materials are more than half
• New, non-traditional routes to adipic acid are being developed.
• We need to scale low-carbon aromatics and reach cost parity quickly to remain competitive