Evonik presents new sustainability strategy

Evonik’s Active Oxygens business line has released a new sustainability strategy today aimed at expanding the beneficial handprint and reducing the environmental footprint of hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and persulfates, as per the company's press release.

The strategy includes concrete steps to slash carbon emissions and increase resource efficiency in the production of these chemicals, with the goal of achieving climate neutrality across the business line by 2040. Active Oxygens also aims to promote these chemistries as environmentally friendly alternatives in diverse growth industries.

Hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and persulfates are powerful oxidants with a broad array of sector applications. Because they break down quickly into harmless substances - mostly just oxygen and water - they are considered some of the cleanest chemicals available. Yet upstream, conventionally producing these versatile substances leaves a carbon footprint.

“Global demand for hydrogen peroxide is rising by seven to eight percent every year, driven by growth fields such as chemical synthesis, environmental applications, nutrition, and electronics,” says Robert Katzer, head of Strategic Marketing for the Active Oxygens business line. “This makes it particularly urgent to reduce this product’s environmental footprint. Fortunately, the technology is there, and we have a step-by-step plan to meet this rising demand in a clean, green manner.”

One lever is through the use of renewables. By the end of 2021, over 80% of the electricity used at Active Oxygens’ production facilities worldwide was already being drawn from renewable sources. This share is intended to exceed 90% in 2023. According to the strategy, new solutions will also be implemented for heat pumps and efficient energy reuse over the next ten years. The business line aims to operate its first fully climate-neutral production facility by 2032.

In addition, Active Oxygens is pursuing ambitious plans to switch fossil-based raw materials in its production processes to, for example, bio-based acetic acid and green hydrogen. Green hydrogen is created through water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity. The business line is currently exploring options to locally source sustainable hydrogen at each of its sites around the globe. The first plant is scheduled to begin utilizing green hydrogen in 2026, with the rest following soon thereafter.

Resource efficiency is also in focus for a further important use for hydrogen peroxide: chemical synthesis. Conventional production of propylene oxide and propylene glycol, for example, can create unnecessary by-products. By using hydrogen peroxide for the direct synthesis of these in-demand products, Evonik Active Oxygens’ proprietary technology offers an innovative, sustainable, and efficient alternative.

As a business line within Evonik’s Smart Materials division, Active Oxygens’ sustainability goals particularly support the division’s “Eco Solutions” growth field. Eco Solutions are applications that save resources and enable environmentally friendly processes. Smart Materials aims to generate EUR 900 million in sales from Eco Solutions by 2027.

The new strategy also contributes to the Evonik group’s overall sustainability approach. This approach is based on ambitious targets and key activities to translate them into measurable actions. Sustainability forms an integral part of the strategy and commercial activities of Evonik and all of its business lines, with the company systematically focusing on the impact of its activities along the entire value chain, based on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. Evonik is one of the leading companies in the chemical industry for sustainability, backed up by the results of important independent rating and ranking agencies such as MSCI, Sustainalytics, EcoVadis, and CDP.

As MRC reported earlier, in March, 2022, Evonik launched a new biosurfactant produced from renewable feedstocks.
The rhamnolipids are produced at Evonik’s plant in Slovenska Lupca, Slovakia following a triple-digit million-euro investment in the site, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023. The biosurfactant range is made using feedstocks which are locally sourced and fully biodegradable, meeting demand for low-emission, low-impact cleaning products in the market.

We remind that in February, 2020, Dow and Evonik entered into an exclusive technology partnership. Together, they plan to bring a unique method for directly synthesizing propylene glycol (PG) from propylene and hydrogen peroxide to market maturity.

Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of EUR12.2 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of EUR1.91 billion in 2020. Evonik goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable and sustainable solutions for customers. About 33,000 employees work together for a common purpose: to improve life today and tomorrow.
MRC

MRC) -- AkzoNobel has completed the acquisition of Colombia-based coatings producer Grupo Orbis for an undisclosed fee, the Netherlands-headquartered firm said.

Grupo Orbis has consolidated revenue of around EUR360m, with presence in 10 countries in Central America, South America and the Antilles, according to the statement by AkzoNobel.

The deal includes the company’s Pintuco paints and coatings subsidiary, resins business Andercol and Poliquim, and distributor Mundial.

The Pintuco portfolio consists of 75% decorative paints and 25% coatings, offering a range of products across 10 countries, thereby "creating several opportunities for revenue synergies”, AkzoNobel said.

The deal was first announced in June 2021.

AkzoNobel expects that its revenues from Russia will drop around 70% from the €210m generated in the country last year in 2022. The company has suspended the bulk of its business in the country in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war and ensuing EU sanctions. What remains of its operations in the country will be locally operated, according to AkzoNobel chief Thierry Vanlancker.

Also, AkzoNobel has launched a new GBP 10 M global research and development (R&D) facility at its site in Slough, UK. The new centre will house 120 specialists and will serve as a major facility within the firm's global R&D network and help to further advance its innovation capabilities, specifically in the decorative paints area. The UK project is the newest in a series of facilities launched by the company intended to advance its product development.
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Dow has announced plans to expand its global alkoxylation capacity in the US and Europe to meet increasing demand across a wide range of fast-growing end-markets where the company is delivering 10% to 15% annual growth rates, from home and personal care to industrial and institutional cleaning solutions and pharmaceuticals, according to CISION.

The faster-payback, higher return investments announced today will increase Dow's capacity, while maintaining current carbon emissions levels through the use of efficient technologies and site improvements. These investments in the US and Europe are backed by supply agreements with customers, including leading consumer brands, and expected to come online in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

This announcement builds on the company's alkoxylation capacity expansions announced in 2018 in Louisiana and in 2019 in Spain, which are both on track to come online this year. In total, these and other efficiency projects are expected to generate more than USD150 million in run-rate EBITDA by 2025, with returns greater than 20%. Collectively, Dow's investments will result in approximately 70% global capacity growth for Dow and its customers since 2020.

Dow's versatile alkoxylation assets upgrade basic materials science building blocks to produce safe and sustainable ingredients for cosmetics, household and industrial cleaning, home and personal care, crop defense, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, paints and many other products for everyday use in a number of product lines, including TERGITOL, UCON, ECOSURF, and CARBOWAX SENTRY.

As MRC informed before, earlier this month, Dow and Plastogaz SA announced a strategic investment which will help simplify the process of converting plastic waste to feedstock and provide another carbon-efficient option to keep plastic waste out of landfills and the environment. The collaboration marks another milestone in Dow’s ongoing mission to protect the climate and close the loop on plastic waste.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 2,487,450 tonnes in 2021, up by 13% year on year. Shipments of all grades of ethylene polymers increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market totalled 1,494.280 tonnes, up by 21% year on year. Deliveries of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased, whereas shipments of PP random copolymers decreased significantly.

Dow combines global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation and leading business positions to achieve profitable growth. The Company's ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company, with a purpose to deliver a sustainable future for the world through our materials science expertise and collaboration with our partners. Dow's portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer care. Dow operates 106 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,700 people.
MRC

MRC) -- Trinseo will use gasification technology to depolymerize post-consumer polystyrene waste into pure styrene, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

It’s a first-of-its-kind project on an industrial scale. Trinseo’s plant will process 15 kilotons of recycled polystyrene flakes every year. These will be transformed into high-quality recycled styrene and used for the production of new polystyrene and/or styrene derivatives, including acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitrile (SAN).

ABS and SAN are thermoplastics polymers. They’re durable and impact resistant, making them useful in the manufacture of car parts, medical devices, consumer electronics and more. We completed the pre-FEED services for the project in 2021. Our FEED scope covers the engineering of the feedstock, storage, condensation and distillation areas, utilities and hot oil unit. It also includes the cost estimate for the project.

“Circularity in the chemical industry will be key if producers want to retain their license to operate in the coming years and decades,” said Geert Reyniers, Senior Director Process and Technology. “Our work today means we can help customers, like Trinseo, to implement first-of-a-kind technologies so they can realize their sustainability objectives.”

“Trinseo chose Worley to move forward with because of its recognized leadership in the industry,” said Francesca Reverberi, SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer at Trinseo. “Worley’s strong commitment to sustainability is critical for us as we continue our journey and goal of delivering sustainable material solutions while maintaining high quality and performance.”

Plant construction is planned to begin at the end of 2022.

As per MRC, Trinseo, a global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex binders, and synthetic rubber, and its affiliate companies in Europe, have announced a price increase for all polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (SAN) in Europe.

According to ICIS-MRC Price report, Russian PS producers did not adjust their prices in mid-April. Prices of Nizhnekamskneftekhim's GPPS remained at Rb204,750-215,700/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT, whereas HIPS prices remained at Rb217,250-228,200/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT. Penoplex contracted all April GPPS quantities at Rb225,000-227,000/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT.

Trinseo is a global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber. Trinseo's technology is used by customers in industries such as home appliances, automotive, building & construction, carpet, consumer electronics, consumer goods, electrical & lighting, medical, packaging, paper & paperboard, rubber goods and tires. Formerly known as Styron, Trinseo completed its renaming process in 1Q 2015. Trinseo had approximately $4.8 billion in net sales in 2021 and has 26 manufacturing sites and one recycling facility around the world and approximately 3,400 employees.
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MRC) -- Indorama Ventures completed the acquisition of Ngoc Nghia Industry, one of Vietnam’s leading PET packaging companies, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The acquisition will boost IVL's market position as it continues to expand its integrated offering of PET products to major multinational customers throughout the region.

Ngoc Nghia is a trusted market leader in PET, preforms and closures, with long-term partnerships with major global and Vietnamese brands in the beverage and non-beverage industries. It has four manufacturing facilities in Vietnam's north and south with a total production capacity of 5.5 B units of PET preforms, bottles and closures, totaling 76,000 tpy of PET conversion.

IVL plans to sustainably grow the business to better serve customers in Vietnam, a high-growth new market, as well as IVL’s major PET packaging customers across the region including global household beverage brands. Ngoc Nghia’s family business roots, led by its founder for over 30 years, was integral to IVL’s decision to invest in the company as a strategic match. The existing team’s extensive local market knowledge will be further augmented by leadership from IVL’s PET packaging business unit, bringing a powerful combination of local, regional and global expertise to the market.

Mr. D K Agarwal, CEO at IVL, said, “We are glad to embark on our journey in Vietnam, which is one of the high-growth markets in the region. This acquisition is complementary to our long-term strategy of extending our global footprint and resilient business platform. With long-standing experience in the integrated PET business, IVL will bring more competitive advantages to NN. The development will also enable us to better serve our large regional customers, many of which are major household brands who depends on a reliable, consistent supply of PET packaging products across the region.”

“NN is a market leader in PET, preforms and closures in Vietnam, where we can increase our focus on customers in the ASEAN regional champion market, offering a full range of PET packaging solutions with enhanced operational excellence. This includes potential to expand our world-leading recycled PET (rPET) business into Vietnam. As a family business, it is a very good fit for IVL, and adds a new domestic market to our growing business,” said Mr. Sunil Marwah, business head for IVL’s packaging vertical.

As per MRC, Indorama Ventures Ltd (IVL) has completed the USD1.3bn acquisition of Brazil-based surfactants and specialty chemicals maker Oxiteno. The acquisition of Oxiteno, formerly a subsidiary of Brazilian firm Ultrapar, was announced in August last year and is effective from 1 April 2022 after the transaction was approved by Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), IVL said.

We remind, Carbios and Indorama Ventures jointly announce a collaboration to build a manufacturing plant operating Carbios’ polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bio-recycling technology at Indorama Ventures’ PET production site in Longlaville, France.

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, listed in Thailand (Bloomberg ticker IVL.TB), is one of the world’s leading petrochemicals producers, with a global manufacturing footprint across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and Americas. The company’s portfolio comprises Integrated PET, Olefins, Fibers, Packaging and Specialty Chemicals. Indorama Ventures products serve major FMCG and automotive sectors, i.e. beverages, hygiene, personal care, tire and safety segments. Indorama Ventures has approx. 24,000 employees worldwide and consolidated revenue of US$ 11.4 billion in 2019. The Company is listed in the Dow Jones Emerging Markets and World Sustainability Indices (DJSI).
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