MOSCOW (MRC) -- Lower CO2 emissions, energy saving and greater safety - these are the key objectives of the new railway siding constructed on the Versalis plant site in Mantua and put into service a few weeks ago to transport KA oil to Radici Chimica SpA in Novara, according to Plastiker.
KA oil is one of the main chemical intermediates used in the production of adipic acid, which is then utilized in polyamide 6.6 production, the core business of Radici Chimica and the basis of subsequent RadiciGroup manufacturing processes for its plastics engineering and advanced textile solutions businesses. Versalis, Eni’s chemical subsidiary, produces KA oil in its Mantua plant from which RadiciGroup buys tens of thousands of tons per year.
Massimo De Petro, CPO for Strategic Materials and Logistics of RadiciGroup: “Before the railway siding was built, the intermediate went by truck from the Versalis site in Mantua to the nearby railway freight yard of Mantova Valdaro and then travelled by rail to Radici Chimica in Novara, where there has been a goods station on the premises for some time. On account of this new investment, we can now manage KA oil logistics solely by tank car, thus ensuring greater safety in the handling and transportation of the material.”
Construction work on the Versalis siding began in September 2019 and finished in March 2021. After the first trial loads, the siding became operational in mid-April. The goal is to reach maximum capacity by July and achieve full sustainability in the transport of a fundamental raw material for Radici Chimica’s operations.
As MRC reported earlier, there is more uncertainty over Versalis’ plans for its Porto Marghera, Italy cracker closure following local media reports that the company has taken the earlier declaration for a Spring 2022 stoppage, off the table, said the company in April, 2021.
Ethylene and propylene are the main feedstocks for the production of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), respectively.
According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 576,270 tonnes in the first three month of 2021, up by 4% year on year. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) shipments increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market totalled 410,890 tonnes in January-March 2021, up by 56% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased.
Eni is an Italian multinational oil and gas company headquartered in Rome. It has operations in in 79 countries, and is currently Italy's largest industrial company. The Italian government owns a 30.3% golden share in the company, 3.93% held through the state Treasury and 26.37% held through the Cassa depositi e prestiti. Another 39.40% of the shares are held by BNP Paribas.
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