Tetra Pak tests aluminium-free barrier layer in new cartons

Tetra Pak tests aluminium-free barrier layer in new cartons

Can the aluminium traditionally used as a barrier layer in food carton packages be safely replaced by a more environmentally friendly barrier? According to Tetra Pak, it looks as if that may well be the case, said Sustainableplastics.

The company first spent 15 months on the commercial technology validation of the use of a polymer-based barrier to replace the aluminium layer, and is now moving forward with tests using a fibre-based barrier - a first within food carton packages distributed under ambient conditions, said Tetra Pak.

The development of the fibre-based barrier is a response to the expectations of the end market, said Tetra Pak. Consumer research from around the world revealed that approximately 40% of consumers would be more motivated to sort for recycling if packages were made entirely from paperboard and had no plastic or aluminium.

The aluminium layer that is currently used in food carton packages is important for ensuring food safety. However, although thinner than a human hair, it contributes to a third of the greenhouse gas emissions linked to base materials used by Tetra Pak.

Seeking to reduce the climate impact of this type of packaging, Tetra Pak initiated in late 2020 the commercial technology validation in Japan of the use of a polymer-based barrier layer, which helped to provide insight into the value chain implications of the change and to quantify the carbon footprint reduction. It also confirmed adequate oxygen protection for vegetable juice, while enabling increased recycling rates in a country where recyclers favour aluminium-free cartons.

Incorporating these learnings, the company is now testing a new fibre-based barrier, in close collaboration with some of its customers. A first pilot batch of single serve packs featuring this industry-first material are currently on shelf for a commercial consumer test, with further technology validation scheduled later in 2022.

“Early results suggest that the package with a fibre-based barrier will offer substantial CO2 reduction when compared to traditional aseptic cartons, together with comparable shelf life and food protection properties,” said Gilles Tisserand, Vice President Climate & Biodiversity, Tetra Pak, “We believe this development will therefore act as a breakthrough in reducing climate impact. In addition, cartons with higher paper content are also more attractive for paper mills; thus, this concept presents clear potential for realising a low carbon circular economy for packaging."

Tetra Pak is investing EUR100 million per year over the next 5 to 10 years to further enhance the environmental profile of food cartons, including the research and development of packages that are made with a simplified material structure and increased renewable content, added Eva Gustavsson, Vice President Materials & Package, Tetra Pak. To that end, the company will be collaborating not just with customers and suppliers, but also with an ecosystem of start-ups, universities and tech companies, she said, ‘providing us access to cutting edge competences, technologies and manufacturing facilities’.

"There is a long journey ahead of us, but with the support of our partners and a strong determination to achieve our sustainability and food safety ambitions, we are well on our way."

As per MRC, Tetra Pak and Saudi paper manufacturer Obeikan Paper Industries have entered into a joint venture to recycle used beverage cartons. Tetra Pak's Sustainability Director for Greater Middle East & Africa Rodney Reynders told a media round table in Cairo that the company will invest about USD1 million in the recycling unit, which will convert beverage cartons into value-added products.

We remind, In 2010, Tetra Pak had set a goal to double its recycling rate to 40 percent by 2020.
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Wood awarded EPCm contract for a new PVDF facility for Solvay in France

Wood awarded EPCm contract for a new PVDF facility for Solvay in France

Wood has secured a new multi-million-dollar contract to deliver engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) for Solvay new polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) site to be built in Tavaux, France, said the company.

PVDF is a high-performance polymer and is produced to meet the growing demand of lithium-ion batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles, creating safer and longer-range performance. The site will increase Solvay France’s PVDF capacity to 35,000 tons per year – making it the largest PVDF production site in Europe.

Giuseppe Zuccaro, President, Process and Chemicals at Wood said: “We will leverage our in-depth knowledge and experience of delivering EPCm on specialty chemical projects, enabling Solvay France to achieve high-performance polymers used in sustainable mobility. We are committed to the reliable, safe and successful delivery of this major project."

The project will be delivered by Wood’s teams across Milan, Italy and Chennai in India and is expected to be completed at the end of 2023.

We also remind that in August, 2020, through the acquisition of the Solvay polyamide (PA) business, BASF enhanced its R&D capabilities in Asia Pacific with new technologies, technical expertise, and upgraded material and part testing services. BASF is planning to integrate the R&D centers from Solvay into its R&D existing facilities in Shanghai, China, and Seoul, Korea. The enhanced capabilities will boost BASF’s position as a solution provider to develop advanced material solutions for key industries.

As per MRC, Solvay, a leading global supplier of specialty polymers, announces the production of the new generation solvent Rhodiasolv IRIS, with eco-friendly properties. Previously manufactured in China, this solvent will now be produced from 2023 onwards at Solvay's Melle site, France.
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Ashland board authorizes a 12% increase in quarterly dividend

Ashland board authorizes a 12% increase in quarterly dividend

Ashland says it has raised the quarterly dividend on its common stock by 12%, to 33.5 cents/share. The dividend will be payable on 15 June to shareholders of record as of 1 June, said the company.

The company has also established a new share buyback program worth USD500 million, replacing a previous USD1-billion buyback authorization from 2018. Shares will be repurchased in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

As of 30 April, Ashland had about 54.1 million shares outstanding.

As MRC informed previously, in late February 2022, Arkema closed its previously announced acquisition of Ashland’s Performance Adhesives business for around USD1.65bn in an all-cash transaction. The company signed an agreement to acquire Ashland’s business in August last year. Ashland’s Performance Adhesives business supplies a wide range of adhesives for flexible packaging and pressure-sensitive adhesives for various markets, including decorative labels, protection and signage films for automotives and buildings. The business operates a network of six production plants, most of which are located in North America, and has around 330 employees.

Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients company with a conscious and proactive mindset for sustainability. The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, nutraceuticals, personal care and pharmaceuticals. Approximately 3,800 passionate, tenacious solvers – from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators – thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries.
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CVR Energy subsidiary selects Honeywell for a lower-carbon hydrogen study at Coffeyville site

CVR Energy subsidiary selects Honeywell for a lower-carbon hydrogen study at Coffeyville site

Honeywell announced today that Coffeyville Resources & Marketing, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CVR Energy, Inc., has selected Honeywell for a feasibility study for lower-carbon hydrogen production in Coffeyville, Kansas, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The study will evaluate the application of carbon capture and hydrogen purification as an emission reduction solution. The Coffeyville site is evaluating utilizing Honeywell UOP Ecofining technology to convert seed oils, tallow and white/yellow greases into renewable diesel fuel1. CVR and Honeywell will now evaluate further reduction of the carbon footprint at the Coffeyville site with lower-carbon hydrogen.

Depending on the inlet gas composition and product requirements, Honeywell UOP carbon capture technologies can recover greater than 99 percent2 of the CO2 in the existing hydrogen plant syngas while increasing high-purity hydrogen recovery. The amount of net CO2 captured and sequestered by renewable fuel producers can be used to adjust the carbon intensities of the associated fuel pathways.

“We are pleased to take another step in our exploration of reduced emissions,” said Dave Lamp, Chief Executive Officer of CVR Energy. “We are excited to evaluate further reducing the carbon intensity of this important product through the potential conversion to lower-carbon hydrogen production at Coffeyville."

“Refiners and companies producing and/or using hydrogen are looking for ways to decarbonize. Honeywell has a suite of carbon capture and hydrogen purification solutions to reduce CO2,” said Barry Glickman, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Sustainable Technology Solutions. “A feasibility study, similar to the one we are conducting for CVR, is one path to help refiners and other companies determine which solution addresses their specific requirements."

As per MRC, Honeywell announced an Emissions Control & Reduction Initiative designed to help customers achieve carbon neutrality in a wide range of areas. The initiative will initially focus on helping oil and gas customers with upstream, midstream and downstream operations to monitor and reduce fugitive methane emissions, which are more than 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Gazprom says board recommends record dividend

Gazprom says board recommends record dividend

Russian gas giant Gazprom said on Thursday its board was recommending a dividend of 52.53 roubles per share on its 2021 results, up from 12.55 roubles for the previous year, said Reuters.

It said the total payout will amount to 1.244 trillion roubles (USD20.10 billion), or 50% of adjusted group net income, adding that this was a record high in Russian stock market history.

The 50% ratio was the same as before, but the payout was higher because of record earnings last year on the back of high oil and gas prices.

After a volatile session in expectation of the dividend announcement, Gazprom’s shares were up 9.4% on the news.

Gazprom said an annual general meeting of shareholders is due to approve the dividend on June 30. It set July 20 as the deadline for the list of eligible shareholders.

A number of Russian companies, including the country’s largest lender Sberbank, have decided or were instructed by the government not pay dividends, amid sweeping Western sanctions imposed after Moscow sent its troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

As per MRC, the Spanish oil and gas company Repsol sold shares in the Russian projects Evrotek-Yugra and ASB Geo to Gazprom Neft and its subsidiary Gazpromneft Service. The sole shareholder of Evrotek-Yugra JSC was Gazprom Neft's subsidiary Gazpromneft-Service LLC, the shareholders of ASB Geo LLC were Gazprom Neft and Gazpromneft Service itself on a parity basis. The change occurred on January 21 and February 17, respectively.

We remind, Gazprom has not booked additional gas transit capacity for exports to Europe via Velke Kapusany on the Slovakia-Ukraine border for June, auction results showed, although it already has some capacity booked under an existing deal. In total, 70.4 MMcm3 per day of capacity was on offer at the auction. Under its existing supply contract, Gazprom automatically has gas transit capacity booked, which means gas will continue to flow in June. However, the company can book additional capacity if it needs it, an industry source said.

PJSC Gazprom is a Russian energy company engaged in exploration, production, transportation, storage, processing and sale of gas, gas condensate and oil, as well as production and sale of heat and electricity. The largest company in Russia, the largest gas company in the world, owns the longest gas transmission system (over 160,000 km). It is the world leader in the industry.

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