DATE : 2014-11-26
BASF, Cargill and Novozymes announced the achievement of a major milestone in their joint development of technologies to produce acrylic acid from renewable raw materials. The team has demonstrated the successful conversion of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), to glacial acrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers. Moreover, they have selected the process for further scaleup. BASF initially plans to use the bio-based acrylic acid to manufacture superabsorbent polymers. Currently, acrylic acid is produced by the oxidation of propylene derived mainly from the refining of crude oil. "After just 18 months we have selected the preferred process to convert 3-HP into glacial acrylic acid. Now we are working full force on the set-up of a small integrated pilot plant until the end of this year," said Teressa Szelest, Senior Vice President Global Hygiene Business at BASF.
Together with the pilot plant for 3-HP, operated by Cargill and supported by Novozymes, this will further support BASF's plans for fast market entry of superabsorbent polymers derived from bio-based acrylic acid.
"We are refining and pursuing options on how to move quickly towards commercial scale production of 3-HP to acrylic acid to meet market demands for consumer goods based on renewable raw materials. Meanwhile, strain and fermentation optimization towards commercial scale requirements is progressing steadily," said Kristian Bjoerneboe, Vice President Business Creation and Acquisition at Novozymes. Superabsorbent polymers and other products derived from bio-based acrylic acid will be an innovative offer to the market and will meet consumer and industry demand for consumer goods based on renewable raw materials and sustainable supply chains. BASF is the world's largest producer of acrylic acid, a high-volume chemical that feeds into a broad range of products, including superabsorbent polymers that can soak up large amounts of liquid, used primarily for diapers and other hygiene products.
SOURCE Chemical Industry Digest
DATE : 2014-11-25
Global Bioenergies announces having succeeded in the production of bio-sourced butadiene by direct fermentation. It is the first time ever an entirely biological production process - i.e. without any chemical step- is reported for butadiene, one of the most important petrochemical building blocks. Butadiene is a key platform molecule of the petrochemical industry with a world-wide market of over 10 million metric tons per year. As of today, butadiene is exclusively obtained from fossil resources, principally through extraction from naphtha cracking. Given the decrease in naphtha cracking capacities, there is a need for alternative routes to butadiene. In this context Global Bioenergies has signed in 2011 a collaboration agreement with Synthos, a leader in the production of butadiene-derived rubber products, to develop a direct fermentation route allowing a cost-effective transformation of renewable resources into butadiene. Since such a direct biological route does not exist in nature, Global Bioenergies first had to invent a new metabolic pathway comprised of a series of non-natural enzymatic reactions. This step was successfully achieved in December 2012.
The next step consisted in improving the activity of those enzymes and implementing them into a bacterial strain.
Global Bioenergies today announces having created such a proprietary production strain. This strain was placed in a lab-scale fermentation device, and upon the addition of glucose, the presence of butadiene in the off-gases was detected. This is the first time ever that the production of butadiene by direct fermentation from renewable resources has been reported.
Chief Technology Officer Frédéric Pâques comments: "We now have in our hands a prototype process for the direct biological conversion of renewable resources into butadiene. We expect that this butadiene program will deploy in the next years as did our isobutene process, our most mature asset now operated in an industrial pilot. Direct fermentation of butadiene has major inherent advantages translating into better economics. We expect to demonstrate these in an industrial environment in the next few years."
Jaroslaw Rogoza, R&D Director & Member of the Board at Synthos adds: "We have joined this program in 2011 when it was still in the discovery stage and are very glad it has since then followed the planned trajectory. We consider that the program is now significantly de-risked. We are looking forward to see how the program will behave in the next phase, dedicated to the optimization and scale-up of the process."
About GLOBAL BIOENERGIES
Global Bioenergies is one of the few companies worldwide, and the only one in Europe, that is developing a process to convert renewable resources into hydrocarbons through fermentation. The Company initially focused its efforts on the production of isobutene, one of the most important petrochemical building blocks that can be converted into fuels, plastics, organic glass and elastomers. Global Bioenergies continues to improve the yield of its process which is now being tested in its first industrial pilot. The company also replicated its success in enzyme discovery to propylene as well as butadiene and is looking to continue with other members of the gaseous olefins family, key molecules at the heart of petrochemical industry.
SOURCE Dow Jones Newswires
DATE : 2014-11-25
The world's biggest chemical company has big plans for its superabsorbent business: BASF plans to invest some € 500 million to equip its global production sites with newly developed droplet polymerization capacities.
BASF researchers have worked intensively in the last decade to develop a new technology and optimize the corresponding production processes. Now the first product with the superabsorbent shall be marketed under the brand name Saviva. This polymer shall have round-shaped particles with micro-pores, enabling a better liquid distribution mechanism, the company claims.
“To launch this breakthrough innovation in a fast and efficient way, BASF has developed a revamp strategy. In order to keep time-to-market as short as possible, we will extend and modify already existing production sites,” said Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF. Existing facilities will in future be able to produce both the new Saviva and BASF's current product. The first wave of revamping existing plants will be kicked off in Europe, closely followed by plants in Asia and the Americas.
Superabsorbents are polymers that can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of liquid relative to their own mass. They are used as a main component in baby diapers, incontinence products and feminine hygiene products. With a global network of research, production and service sites and an annual production capacity of 590,000 metric tons, BASF is a leading producer of these polymers.
SOURCE Process WW Online
DATE : 2014-11-25
Le gouvernement bolivien a annoncé, la semaine dernière, la signature de quatre lettres d’intention avec le Commissariat français à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) portant sur le développement des énergies renouvelables, de l’énergie atomique ainsi que sur la valorisation du lithium.Selon le ministère des Mines de la Bolivie, l’accord prévoit des programmes de développement sur toute la chaîne de valeur du lithium, « du carbonate de lithium jusqu’aux systèmes de batteries ».
Abondant mais sous-exploité Ultra léger et indispensable pour les batteries, le lithium se trouve dans quelques endroits du monde et notamment dans le Salar (désert de sel) de Uyuni, en Bolivie, qui représenterait à lui tout seul entre 40 et 50% des réserves mondiales.Si différents groupes industriels se sont intéressés au lithium bolivien, dont Samsung, Mitsubishi ou encore Bolloré dont la BlueCar est équipée de batteries LMP (lithium métal polymère), le gouvernement du président Evo Morales s’est toujours montré réticent à l’idée d’une exploitation sans transfert de technologie. Du coup, malgré son potentiel, la Bolivie ne produit pour l'instant que des faibles quantités de carbonate de lithium.
SOURCE GreenUnivers
Date: 2014, November 25
IMCD and Campine extend partnership for flame retardant masterbatches
ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (25 November, 2014) – IMCD N.V. and Campine N.V. announce the extension of their distribution partnership for flame retardant masterbatches into Spain. This agreement is a complementary addition to IMCD’s compounders and converters product portfolio and consolidates Campine’s distribution network in Europe. Campine has been delivering expertise and a reliable service to its customers in the non-ferrous and plastics industry since 1912 and is a global specialist in flame retardant masterbatch solutions. Marc Liegeois, Campine Business Manager Plastics, comments: “IMCD has represented Campine’s flame retardant masterbatches for more than 10 years in the Nordics, South East Europe and Poland. Together, we hope to replicate this success and significantly increase our sales activities in existing and new regions.” Stefan Hansson, IMCD Product Manager Plastics Sweden, adds: “This is a very exciting opportunity for IMCD to build on its existing partnership with Campine and enhance our services to the plastics market. As Campine recently reorganised its masterbatch division, it seemed the opportune time to begin to consolidate and develop the business.”
Source: IMCD website
DATE : 2014-11-22
Thai MMA has restarted production at its 90,000 tonne/year No 1 methyl methacrylate (MMA) line in Map Ta Phut earlier this week, a source close to the company said on Friday.
The No 1 line was unexpectedly shut down in early November because of a technical issue.
Meanwhile, the 90,000 tonne/year No 2 MMA line at the same site has been shut for a scheduled maintenance, the source said.
The No 2 line will be off line for around two weeks, the source added.
The company is a joint venture between Japan's Mitsubishi Rayon Corp (MRC) and Thailand's Siam Cement Group.
SOURCE Icis News
DATE : 2014-11-22
Japan’s Mitsubishi Rayon Co (MRC) has shut its 55,000 tonne/year No 2 butane-based methyl methacrylate (MMA) line in Otake on 17 November for a scheduled turnaround, a company source said on Friday.
The company plans to restart the line around 19 December, the source added.
MRC’s currently has another 55,000 tonne/year butane-based No 2 MMA line and 107,000 tonne/year acetone cyanohydrin-based MMA line at the same site.
SOURCE Icis News
DATE : 2014-11-19
GS Yuasa has developed a lithium-sulphur battery that has three times the capacity of existing battery products in the market, reports the Japan Times. The battery uses sulphur as a key material in the cathode and a silicon-based anode. The company is presently working on improving the durability of the anode in order to commercialise the next-generation lithium-ion battery by 2020.
Significance: Lithium-sulphur batteries are seen as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries since they can be manufactured at a lower cost thanks to the low price and high availability of sulphur. Such batteries can also offer increased range, according to Shuji Hitomi, group manager at GS Yuasa's research and development centre. However, to begin commercialising these batteries, the company needs to overcome a few challenges. Sulphur does not conduct electricity, which makes it difficult to obtain strong electric output from batteries using sulphur-based electrodes. To resolve this issue, GS Yuasa has filled sulphur in small holes on carbon rods to make the element conductive. Lithium-sulphur batteries generally suffer from poor cyclability, mostly because of the poor conductivity of sulphur, the heavy dissolution of polysulphides, and large volumetric expansion during lithiation. A handful of other researchers have tried to address these concerns. For instance, China's Huazhong University of Science and Technology has developed an ordered meso-microporous core-shell carbon (MMCS) as a sulphur container. The university claims that the MMCS offers the advantages of both mesoporous and microporous carbon for use in high-capacity, long-life cathodes for lithium-sulphur batteries.
SOURCE IHS
DATE : 2014-11-19
Styrene producer Styrolution said on Tuesday its Bayport styrene plant in Bayport, Texas will be in the process of starting up its process units.
Styrolution added in a community CARE line information message that over the next few days there could be some intermittent use of the plant’s safety flare as the plant is being recommissioned. The flare is designed to effectively burn emissions so that offsite impact is not expected.
The announcement is also in line with the company’s expectations for its Bayport styrene plant to come back online in the first half of November.
The company took down the Bayport unit for planned maintenance at the end of September.
The Styrolution Bayport plant has a styrene capacity of 770,000 tonnes/year, according to ICIS plants and projects database.
SOURCE Icis News
DATE : 2014-11-17
Faute de perspectives suffisantes, le groupe allemand va mettre un terme fin 2015 à la production d'éléments de batteries pour voitures électriques en Allemagne.
La faiblesse du marché des véhicules électriques contraint les acteurs de ce secteur à revoir la production des batteries. Alors qu’un débat a lieu au sein de Renault-Nissan pour savoir si le potentiel mondial de production de batterie doit être revu à la baisse, Daimler a décidé d'arrêter la production de cellules de batteries lithium-ion par sa filiale Li-Tec en décembre 2015.
Les cellules de batteries lithium-ion de Li-Tec Battery, filiale du constructeur qui équipe ainsi ses petites citadines Smart électriques, sont "de très bonnes qualité", a fait valoir le porte-parole de Daimler, "mais le volume ne suffit pas pour que la production soit économiquement viable".
Les asiatiques mieux placés
Située à Kamenz près de Dresde (est), Li-Tec est confrontée à la concurrence frontale de groupes coréens et japonais qui parviennent à réaliser des économies d'échelle en orientant leur production vers l'électronique (smartphones, tablettes) alors que le marché de la voiture électrique peine globalement à décoller.
Une grande partie des 280 employés devrait pouvoir être repris par Deutsche Accumotive, une autre filiale de Daimler", située elle aussi à Kamenz et produisant des systèmes de batteries pour Mercedes et Smart.
Il ne restera de l'entreprise Li-Tec, dont la production de cellules de batteries lithium-ion avait débuté en 2012, qu'un centre de recherche et développement.
Daimler avait racheté en mai à Evonik sa participation dans Li-Tec Battery car le chimiste allemand de spécialité souhaitait se désengager de leur co-entreprise.
"Un plan d'action coordonné du gouvernement est nécessaire pour assurer l'innovation et la production de cellules de batteries en Allemagne", a réagi dans un communiqué Jörg Hoffmann, vice-président d'IG Metall.
"Après les écrans à plasma et les panneaux photovoltaïques, c'est maintenant une perte supplémentaire d'avance technologique dans un secteur clé pour l'industrie allemande qui menace", estime le puissant syndicat allemand.
SOURCE L'Argus
SOURCE : 2014-11-14
Japan’s Mitsubishi Rayon Co (MRC) plans to shut its 55,000 tonne/year No 2 butane-based methyl methacrylate (MMA) line in Otake in the week of 17 November for a scheduled turnaround, a company source said on Friday.
The turnaround is expected to last around 25 days, the source added.
MRC currently has another 55,000 tonne/year butane-based MMA line and a 107,000 tonne/year acetone cyanohydrin-based MMA line at the same site.
SOURCE Icis News
DATE : 2014-11-13
Japan’s Asahi Kasei Corp is expected to restart its 100,000 tonne/year methyl methacrylate (MMA) plant in Kawasaki by tomorrow, a company source said on late on Thursday.
The plant was taken offline on 5 October for planned maintenance.
Asahi Kasei has another 70,000 tonne/year MMA facility named PTT Asahi Chemical in Thailand, which is a joint venture with PTT and Marubeni.
SOURCE Icis News
DATE : 2014-11-14
China’s Shandong Wanda Chemical's on-purpose 100,000 tonne/year butadiene (BD) plant in Dongying will remain shut till the end of this year because of weak market conditions, market sources said on Friday.
The plant in Shandong province was shut on 6 October for maintenance and was initially expected to restart on 28 October, market sources said.
The plant uses butene as feedstock to produce BD through dehydrogenation.
SOURCE Icis News
DATE : 2014-11-14
Petrokemya, a wholly owned Sabic subsidiary, plans to expand its butadiene extraction plant at Jubail, Saudi Arabia. KBR has been awarded a front-end engineering design contract by Sabic for the debottlenecking and expansion of the plant. The existing butadiene extraction plant was built in 1993 with a capacity of 123,000 m.t./year. Petrokemya plans to expand significantly the capacity of the plant. Sabic’s consumption of butadiene is rising. Sabic Innovative Plastics is building a 140,000-m.t./year acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plant within the Petrokemya complex. It will be supplied with butadiene by Petrokemya and with acrylonitrile by Saudi Japanese Acrylonitrile (Shrouq), a jv in which Sabic has 50%, Asahi Kasei 30%, and Mitsubishi Corp. 20%. Shrouq is building a 220,000-m.t./year acrylonitrile plant at the Ibn Zahr facility at Jubail, due online at the end of 2015 or first half of 2016.
SOURCE Chemweek
DATE : 2014-11-14
Styrindo Mono Indonesia, a subsidiary of Chandra Asri Petrochemical, plans to restart its 250,000 tonne/year No2 styrene monomer (SM) plant next week, a company source said on Friday.
The facility located in Merak was shut in mid-September due to weak market conditions.
Styrindo Mono Indonesia operates another 100,000 tonne/year No1 unit at the same location. This plant will shut next week when the larger unit restarts.
The company is the sole producer of SM in Indonesia.
SOURCE Icis News