SABIC previews breakthrough mass production technology for thermoplastic composite laminates

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Thermoplastic composites are prized for their light weight and exceptional strength. However, mainstream adoption has lagged due to shortcomings in existing production processes, which are slow, costly, and labor- and waste-intensive. To drive broader use of these advanced materials across multiple industries, SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, has invested in the composites industry’s first automated, digital system for the large-scale manufacturing of laminates made with its continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite (CFRTC) tapes, as per the company's press release.

Exhibiting at JEC World 2018 in stand L84, hall 5, SABIC is previewing the Digital Composites Manufacturing system, an automated and digitized production line developed with Airborne and powered by Siemens. The new line, slated to go live in early 2019, will aim to offer customization capabilities - using sophisticated technologies and processes that can drive down cycle times and system costs. Click here to learn more: video Digital Composites Manufacturing system.

At JEC World SABIC, Airborne and Siemens are presenting the Digital Composites Manufacturing line together at the Siemens stand G51, in Hall 6, on Tuesday, March 6 at 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 7 at 10 a.m. and Thursday, March 8, at 10 a.m.

“Rapid mass production of high-quality, fully customized thermoplastic composite parts at an affordable cost will soon be a reality,” said Gino Francato, global business leader, Composites, SABIC. “The upcoming launch of our Digital Composites Manufacturing line - the composites industry’s first large-scale production solution - is a major step toward that goal.”

Arno van Mourik, chief executive officer of Airborne, added: "With Airborne’s ingenuity and more than 20 years of experience in composites manufacturing processes, we are developing this line using Industry 4.0 automation and data exchange principles. This will enable SABIC’s customers to develop, prototype and produce unique, differentiated products that leverage the strength and light weight of SABIC’s continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites."

The Digital Composites Manufacturing line will be supported by predictive engineering capabilities at SABIC’s Center of Excellence in The Netherlands. Predictive engineering for UDMAX tapes is based on computer-aided engineering (CAE) software that uses material data and material modeling (such as elastic properties and damage initiation/rupture behavior) to create simulations of how the composite material will perform in an application during its use, taking into account the influence of manufacturing processes.

The Digital Composites Manufacturing line will premiere its first-generation technology to meet immediate needs in the consumer electronics industry.

The Digital Composites Manufacturing line will be able to mass-produce lightweight, high modulus and low warpage, custom-engineered laminates as per thickness, dimensions, lay-up preferences and desired performance. Made with carbon-fiber reinforced polycarbonate composite, these SABIC laminates will be used for laptop covers.

As MRC informed before, in October 2016, Sabic announced that it had developed next generation low density polyethylene (LDPE) foram grades. The first product of a new generation of LDPE foam grades from SABIC was designed to increase production efficiency at the foam manufacturer.

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) ranks among the worldпїЅs top petrochemical companies. The company is among the worldпїЅs market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has been awarded a contract for a pre-feasibility study, with the option of proceeding to a detailed feasibility study, for Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and its subsidiaries, as per MorningStar.

The studies are in support of KPC's strategic directions and downstream long term plans for the period up to 2040.

Jacobs will evaluate how domestic refining capacity can be best expanded, in a cost-effective way, while providing advantaged feedstocks for integrated petrochemical production. The studies will cover evaluation and optimization of alternative process configurations using an integrated Linear Program model, various technical studies, licensor evaluation, cost estimation, financial modeling and risk assessment and management, with a focus on increasing refining capacity and optimum petrochemical integration.

"As refiners across the industry look to the chemical market for profit growth, Jacobs leverages its proven, differentiated capabilities that have helped refiners explore options and define strategies for optimized refinery-petrochemical integration," said Jacobs Petroleum and Chemicals President Vinayak Pai. "This new award is an affirmation of our refining, petrochemicals and Oil-to-Chemicals (OTC) expertise and perfectly aligns with our strategy to expand services in the Middle East region."

With more than 40 years operating in the Middle East, Jacobs is planning to increase its presence in Kuwait, with an eye on long-term and continued involvement in the country's upstream, refining and petrochemical industries. Examples of the company's work in the region include BP Khazzan Oman Gas Field, Sinnovate Smart Technology Hub, Zuluf Gas/Oil Separation Plant FEED, King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport, Sadara Chemical Company, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Ma'aden Wa'ad Al-Shamal Phosphate Company and numerous infrastructure projects with the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON).

Jacobs leads the global professional services sector delivering solutions for a more connected, sustainable world. With USD15 billion in fiscal 2017 revenue when combined with full-year CH2M revenues and a talent force of more than 74,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of services including scientific, technical, professional and construction- and program-management for business, industrial, commercial, government and infrastructure sectors.

As MRC informed before, Kuwait Petroleum Corp expects to spend over USD500 billion as it boosts its crude oil production capacity to 4.75 MMbpd in 2040, the national oil firm said in early February, outlining ambitious growth plans for the next two decades.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Kuwait's oil minister said on Thursday that Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) had signed an agreement with an international firm for long-term supply of natural gas'>liquefied natural gas (LNG), state news agency KUNA reported, as per Reuters.

Bakheet al-Rashidi did not mention the name of the company, describing it as a leading player in the LNG sector. KUNA quoted him as saying the agreement would help KPC meet rising demand for power generation in the Gulf Arab state.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- API issued the following statement regarding the release of EPA’s proposed amendments to its refinery emissions regulations based on analyses that, after significant effort and years in review, show that refineries are operating at safe air emissions levels to protect public health, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

“EPA’s practical clarification to the language of the refinery rule’s regulatory requirements is a positive step that can help reduce uncertainty while meeting our shared goal to protect public health,” Senior Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Howard Feldman. “Balanced, effective refinery regulations allow our industry to invest in the production of cleaner fuels and in our facilities in order to improve environmental performance.

“The safe operation of our refineries and the protection of the health and safety of our workers, the communities where we operate, and the environment are core values for our industry. Through the development of cleaner transportation fuels and lower emissions at our facilities, our industry is contributing to a cleaner environment – including helping the U.S. reduce ozone concentrations by 17 percent since 2000.

“The natural gas and oil industry is committed to safety and environmental stewardship to help continue these trends as communities across the country benefit from the responsible development and use of America’s oil and natural gas.”

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 10.3 million U.S. jobs and nearly 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 625 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 40 million Americans.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- A combined value of USD21.1bn in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) were announced in the downstream sector in H2 2017, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The company’s report: ‘Bi-annual Downstream Deals Review – H2 2017’ states that this was a decrease of 19 percent from the USD26.2bn in M&A deals announced in H1 2017. A year-on-year comparison shows a substantial decline of 75 percent in deal value in H2 2017, when compared to H2 2016’s value of USD84.9bn. There were 11 M&A deals with values greater than USD100m, together accounting for USD20.5bn in H2 2017.

Glencore’s agreement to acquire a 75 percent stake in Chevron South Africa and a 100 percent stake in Chevron Botswana, for a cash consideration of USD973m, was one of the top deals registered in H2 2017.

The assets of Chevron South Africa and Chevron Botswana include Cape Town refinery, which has a refining capacity of 110 Mbpd; a lubricants manufacturing plant in Durban; a network of more than 820 Caltex branded service stations (with 220 convenience stores) across South Africa and Botswana; and storage tanks and oil depot distribution facilities.

Financing through equity offerings, debt offerings, private equity, and venture financing in the downstream oil and gas industry totaled USD73.9bn from 87 deals in H2 2017. The majority of the investment came from the debt offerings market, which accounted for 90 percent of the total, at USD66.5bn, in H2 2017. On a year-on-year basis, the total value of announced capital raising deals increased significantly by 42% in H2 2017, compared with USD52bn in H2 2016.
MRC