Case study: how SABIC Manufacturing Europe enhances efficiency and visualizes emissions with software

SABIC Manufacturing Europe, located in Geleen, The Netherlands, employs over 900 staff and is part of a global workforce exceeding 32,000. In this case study, two representatives of the manufacturing site in Geleen share how emission management software helps them improve their efficiency, save time, and visualize their emission data.

Managing emission data effectively

For more than 19 years, SABIC Geleen has collaborated with Intero - The Sniffers to manage fugitive emissions through their Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) program. This long-standing partnership has resulted in a comprehensive database of emission data, which is managed in the cloud-based software platform SFEMP.

According to Kris Huybs, Intero - The Sniffers' ICT Director, "SABIC has been closely involved in the development of our software application. This provides us with valuable feedback on how to further improve the platform and tailor it to our clients’ needs."

Streamlined leak monitoring

Previously, the process of tracking open leaks was labor-intensive. Evelien van Thoor, Environmental Engineer at SABIC, explains.

"When a leak above repair threshold cannot be repaired directly, a notification is made in our SAP system. Our team uses the notification to keep an overview of actions taken to repair the leak. Once the leak is repaired, we close the notification in SAP."

Prior to using SFEMP, the overview of leaks was created manually by my colleague Sil Huys. This overview was used to follow up on these notifications during our periodic meetings with the different plants.

Sil Huys, Senior Analyst at SABIC, noted that creating these overviews was time-consuming.

Until two years ago, I had to manually create this overview of leaks. I had to copy the repair order I received from Intero - The Sniffers, complete it, assign an order to that repair in SAP, and so on. Now, with SFEMP, I can access repair orders directly, significantly reducing the time spent on compiling leak data to just two hours per week.

Linking SFEMP and SAP for real-time insights

Recently, SABIC introduced PowerBI to connect information from SFEMP and SAP.

Evelien points out that "We have been using SFEMP intensively since 2022. Before connecting SFEMP and SAP with PowerBI, we relied on updates by email from our points of contact at Intero - The Sniffers, which made it difficult to work with up-to-date leak statuses.”

"With the systems linked, we now have real-time insights. During our periodic meetings with the different plants, we have an up-to-date overview of which leaks are open, their SAP numbers, and exact locations, enabling quick and effective maintenance.”

Centralized information reduced communication overhead

Since implementing SFEMP, SABIC has experienced a notable decrease in the need for extensive email communication.

Sil shared, "I can now mark leaks as ‘repaired’ in SFEMP myself, reducing my email correspondence with our contact persons within SABIC.”

"I am also less dependent on feedback from Intero - The Sniffers. I used to send around 50 emails each week. Now, I only email them twice a week” he adds.

Reliable emission measurements

Credibility in emission data hinges on accurate onsite measurements conducted by skilled professionals with safety as a top priority and a flexible approach.

“The team openly shares their expertise, ensuring we understand our emission status transparently. All data is easily accessible" says Evelien. According to Sil, "the onsite team works with our safety procedures in mind. Each year, we also collaboratively develop a dynamic planning with Intero - The Sniffers. Their flexibility in planning is essential for us.”

Becoming ambassadors

Through their long-term partnership with Intero - The Sniffers, SABIC has emerged as an ambassador for effective emission management.

Evelien emphasized the value of their accumulated knowledge, noting, “We now have insights into equipment that may leak again after several years, which is a significant advantage for us.”

Intero - The Sniffers don’t just conduct measurements; they provide strategic advice, focusing on continuous improvement of emission performance.

Ongoing commitment to improve

Beyond performing measurements and data management, SABIC is dedicated to enhancing their emission performance. "The team of Intero - The Sniffers goes beyond mere measurements, collaborating with us to identify ongoing improvements in our emission management strategy” concludes Evelien.

Questions about emission management software?

Do you have questions about emission management software and how it could benefit your organization? Reach out to the experts of Intero - The Sniffers through sales.ts@intero-integrity.com