LyondellBasell joins the United Nations Global Compact

MOSCOW (MRC) -- LyondellBasell, one of the world's largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies, has announced it has joined the United Nations (U.N.) Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, as per the company's press release.

Under the U.N. Global Compact, signatories are encouraged to align their operations and strategies with key principles on human rights, labor and anti-corruption.

"At LyondellBasell, we have a culture of accomplishing goals through what we call 'the power of many.' Addressing the challenges facing our world will require global commitment and collaboration between the private sector, NGOs and governments," said Bob Patel, CEO Of LyondellBasell. "The goals of the U.N. Global Compact align well with our company's focus on eliminating plastic waste in the environment, addressing climate change and supporting a thriving society. We are proud to be part of this important, collective effort."

In 2020, LyondellBasell advanced its sustainability agenda by setting ambitious targets for recycled and renewable-based polymers, progressing on the goal of zero polymer pellet loss from operations and transportation and starting up the MoReTec molecular recycling pilot plant in Ferrara, Italy. In addition, the company is one of the founding members of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), the first global, cross value chain initiative dedicated to eliminating plastic waste in the environment.

As MRC reported previously, earlier this month, LyondellBasell and SUEZ, a world leader in environmental services, jointly announced the acquisition of TIVACO, a plastics recycling company located in Blandain, Belgium. The company will become part of Quality Circular Polymers (QCP), the companies" existing 50/50 plastics recycling joint venture. With this transaction, QCP will increase its production capacity for recycled materials to approximately 55,000 tonnes per year.

We remind that in September 2020, LyondellBasell announced that Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Company LLC (DRPIC) hds selected LyondellBasell's world-leading polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) technologies for a new facility. The new plants will comprise of a PP plant that will utilize LyondellBasell's Spheripol PP process technology to produce 280,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr) of PP and a 480-m.t./yr high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plant which will utilize LyondellBasell's Hostalen ACP process technology and will be built in Al Duqm, Oman.

According to MRC"s ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 1,760,950 tonnes in the first ten months of 2020, up by 3% year on year. Only high density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) shipments increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market reached 978,870 tonnes in January-October 2020 (calculated using the formula: production minus exports plus imports minus producers" inventories as of 1 January, 2020). Supply of exclusively of PP random copolymer increased.

LyondellBasell is one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world. Driven by its 13,000 employees around the globe, LyondellBasell produces materials and products that are key to advancing solutions to modern challenges like enhancing food safety through lightweight and flexible packaging, protecting the purity of water supplies through stronger and more versatile pipes, and improving the safety, comfort and fuel efficiency of many of the cars and trucks on the road. LyondellBasell sells products into approximately 100 countries and is the world"s largest licensor of polyolefin technologies.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF SE, the world's petrochemical major, is weighing a possible divestiture of some of its US chemicals assets in a deal that could generate about USD400 million, reported S&P Global with reference to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter.

The potential sale involves BASF's surfactants plant in Kankakee, Ill., and its kaolin business in Georgia. The assets could be valued at about USD250 million and USD150 million, respectively.

Talks are still ongoing and no final decision has been made, sources told Bloomberg.

In September, BASF closed the sale of its construction chemicals business in a deal that fetched EUR3.17 billion.

As MRC wrote before, BASF has declared force majeure (FM) on the supply of n-butanol after hitting unspecified technical problems at its production plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The FM was declared “with immediate effect” on 8 December by BASF in a letter to all its n-butanol customers.

We remind that BASF restarted its No. 1 steam cracker following a maintenance turnaround on September 30, 2019. The plant was shut for maintenance in mid-August, 2019. Located at Ludwigshafen in Germany, the No. 1 cracker has an ethylene production capacity of 235,000 mt/year and a propylene production capacity of 125,000 mt/year.

Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 1,760,950 tonnes in the first ten months of 2020, up by 3% year on year. Only high density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) shipments increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market reached 978,870 tonnes in January-October 2020 (calculated using the formula: production minus exports plus imports minus producers' inventories as of 1 January, 2020). Supply of exclusively of PP random copolymer increased.

BASF is the leading chemical company. It produces a wide range of chemicals, for example solvents, amines, resins, glues, electronic-grade chemicals, industrial gases, basic petrochemicals and inorganic chemicals. The most important customers for this segment are the pharmaceutical, construction, textile and automotive industries.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF says it will increase its prices in the US and Canada for select polyetheramine products, effective 1 January 2021 or as existing contracts allow. Four polyetheramine products, including two of its Baxxodur-brand products, will each rise by 9 cents/lb, said Chemweek.

Polyetheramine products are used in applications as curing agents in various segments including coatings and sealing compounds, composites, adhesives, and flooring.

As MRC informed earlier, BASF, the world's petrochemical major, has declared force majeure (FM) on the supply of n-butanol after hitting unspecified technical problems at its production plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The FM was declared “with immediate effect” on 8 December by BASF in a letter to all its n-butanol customers. “Our production plant for n-butanol has encountered unforeseeable technical problems.

As MRC informed previously, BASF restarted its No. 1 steam cracker following a maintenance turnaround on September 30, 2019. The plant was shut for maintenance in mid-August, 2019. Located at Ludwigshafen in Germany, the No. 1 cracker has an ethylene production capacity of 235,000 mt/year and a propylene production capacity of 125,000 mt/year.

Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 1,760,950 tonnes in the first ten months of 2020, up by 3% year on year. Only high density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) shipments increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market reached 978,870 tonnes in January-October 2020 (calculated using the formula: production minus exports plus imports minus producers' inventories as of 1 January, 2020). Supply of exclusively of PP random copolymer increased.

BASF is the leading chemical company. It produces a wide range of chemicals, for example solvents, amines, resins, glues, electronic-grade chemicals, industrial gases, basic petrochemicals and inorganic chemicals. The most important customers for this segment are the pharmaceutical, construction, textile and automotive industries.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Australia has moved into the three most attractive countries in the world for renewables investment for the first time due to rapid solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment, research shows, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

In a bi-annual index of the top 40 renewable energy markets worldwide by consultancy EY, the United States held on to top spot, followed by China. Australia rose to third place, from fourth in the last ranking in May, while India climbed to fourth from seventh due to record low solar tariff bids and a new target for renewables generation, EY said.

Australia has deployed more than 10 gigawatts of roof-mounted solar PV, by far the largest per capita rooftop-PV deployment in the world. Its plans for renewable energy export links to Asia also helped elevate its position.

However, Australia’s renewables investment fell in the second quarter due to the COVID-19 crisis and policy uncertainty and the government continues to subsidize both the natural gas and oil refining industries as part of efforts to revitalize the economy.

“Despite policy uncertainty – and issues with grid stability and price volatility – the index indicates that Australia could be set to become a green energy exporting leader," EY said.

France sank to seventh place from third as renewable energy auctions were postponed indefinitely and planned retroactive cuts to solar subsidies. Other countries to rise up the rankings were Britain, Portugal, Morocco, Taiwan, Poland and South Korea, while Germany, Denmark and Mexico were among those which fell.

As MRC informed earlier, Borealis announces that its new naphtha cavern in Porvoo, Finland has now been safely commissioned as of October 2020. Having invested around EUR25 million in the construction of this 80,000 m3 facility, Borealis can now source and store naphtha for its Porvoo operations from the global market in a more flexible, cost-efficient, and secure way. The cavern can also accommodate renewable naphtha, making it possible for Borealis customers in future to draw on certified renewable polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), as well as renewable base chemicals, ethylene, propylene and phenol.

We remind that the light-feed 625,000-metric tons/year Borealis steam cracker at Stenungsund, Sweden, is expected to restart operations in the fourth quarter this year after a fire broke out at the plant in May, 2020. The cracker has been under force majeure ever since after the blaze at the plant on 10 May, which was subsequently brought under control the following day.

Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing PE and PP.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 1,760,950 tonnes in the first ten months of 2020, up by 3% year on year. Only high density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) shipments increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market reached 978,870 tonnes in January-October 2020 (calculated using the formula: production minus exports plus imports minus producers' inventories as of 1 January, 2020). Supply of exclusively of PP random copolymer increased.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Nouryon has expanded the Levasil colloidal silica product line with two new products for the next generation of catalysts, said the comoany.

The products have been developed to address the industry’s need for high purity and consistent quality in order to be able to produce more efficient catalysts that improve yield and performance. "Our main customers are producers of catalysts and zeolites used in, for example, oil refineries where feedstocks are becoming more challenging and more effective catalysts are needed. This is where our high-purity products have a role to play to improve the productivity and to extend the lifetime of the catalyst," said Patrick Wilhelm, Vice President of Colloidal Silica at Nouryon.

Efficient use of resources are critical concerns for the world today. The catalyst industry plays an important role in society to meet these challenges by, for instance, reducing emissions in diesel engines and power plants, as well as contributing to more efficient chemical production.

"Driven by our commitment to sustainability, we are continuously focused on growing our portfolio of sustainable solutions. Our newest innovation allows our customers to produce even more powerful catalysts for emission control, chemical production and oil refining, which makes it possible to do more while using less,” said Johan Landfors, President of Technology Solutions at Nouryon.

Levasil CA421 PNH and Levasil CA321 PNH are the latest in a series of products from Nouryon for the catalyst industry.

As MRC informed earlier, Nouryon launched Arquad GS, an innovative, environmentally friendly antimicrobial agent that enables the formulation of a robust and tintable anti-viral paint. Nouryon will unveil Arquad GS to Asian markets during the CHINACOAT show, beginning tomorrow in Guangzhou, China, and plans to introduce it to other regions soon after. The introduction of this new product is important given the increased emphasis on surface cleanliness and germ prevention as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research indicates that demand for hygienic coatings is expected to increase significantly, and the global anti-viral and anti-bacterial coating categories, specifically, are projected to hit double-digit annualized growth over the next five years. It's estimated that by 2026, the anti-viral paint category will be worth USD1.3 billion.

We remind that Russia's output of chemical products rose in September 2020 by 6.7% year on year. At the same time, production of basic chemicals increased by 6.1% year on year in the first nine months of 2020, according to Rosstat's data. According to the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation, polymers in primary form accounted for the greatest increase in the January-September output. Last month's production of primary polymers decreased to 852,000 tonnes from 888,000 tonnes in August due to shutdowns in Tomsk, Ufa and Kazan. Overall output of polymers in primary form totalled 7,480,000 tonnes over the stated period, up by 16.4% year on year.
MRC