Ineos Fuels Plastic Boom: Health Fears Rise

Ineos, a company owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is a major driver of the growing US fracked ethane trade, supplying petrochemical facilities in Europe. Analysis reveals Ineos's ethane shipments have increased dramatically since 2016, making it responsible for at least two-thirds of US ethane exports. This expansion has ignited concerns over environmental and social impacts, particularly for communities near fracking operations.

Campaigners point to health issues experienced by residents near fracking wells in regions like Pennsylvania, linking them to the extraction process. Despite fracking bans in much of Europe, the import and use of fracked gas are permitted. Ineos's proposed Project One in Belgium, Europe's largest planned plastic factory, aims to use US fracked ethane, drawing criticism over potential upstream emissions and health risks.

Legal action has been initiated against Ineos regarding Project One, arguing that its environmental impact assessments fail to account for 'scope 3' emissions from the fracked ethane supply chain. The UK government has provided significant financial backing for Project One through a loan guarantee, a move that critics argue contradicts its net-zero commitments and overlooks Ineos's environmental claims.

Ineos maintains that its products are essential for numerous industries, including medical equipment and infrastructure, and that closing European plants would merely shift production and potentially higher emissions elsewhere. The company asserts its commitment to operating under strict environmental regulations and protecting communities. However, environmental groups are urging policymakers to mandate independent lifecycle emissions reporting for imported petrochemical materials.