Repsol continues to advance in its commitment to achieve the goal of zero net emissions by 2050

The Chairman of Petronor, Emiliano Lopez Atxurra, today announced the upcoming construction work for the new Bilbao decarbonization hub that will be composed of a synthetic fuels plant and an urban waste processing project, said the company.

At the event, he was accompanied by the President of the regional Basque Government, Inigo Urkullu; the CEO of Repsol, Josu Jon Imaz; the Chairman of Kutxabank, Gregorio Villalabeitia; the Deputy General of the province of Bizkaia, Unai Rementeria; and the Minister for Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment of the regional government of the Basque Country, Arantxa Tapia.

Josu Jon Imaz, CEO of Repsol said that “the project will allow us to test the technologies that will be used together for the first time in the world here in Bilbao."

Emiliano Lopez Atxurra stated that "with this project we unite present, past, and future, because this port is part of Petronor's history and present. Now it is also part of the future. This is an example of the technological neutrality that we champion as a guide for a sustainable and inclusive energy transition."

With the construction of these new plants, Repsol continues to advance in its commitment to decarbonization to achieve the goal of zero net emissions by 2050. The company's strategy is fully aligned with the objectives laid out by both the European Union and the Spanish Government. The Fit for 55 regulatory package, presented last year by the European Commission, supports the deployment of fuels with a low carbon footprint, produced either from waste or from non-biological sources, such as synthetic fuels, as is the case for these new plants presented by Imaz.

These are two major industrial projects that also demonstrate the importance of maintaining technological neutrality in the search for sustainable and complementary alternatives to achieve the decarbonization of the economy.

Repsol lifted the force majeure for the supply of butadiene in Tarragona (Tarragona, Spain), announced earlier in February. On February 10, the company stopped two lines for the production of butadiene with a total capacity of 130 tons per year in Tarragona. According to a company source, butadiene production was resumed on 23 March.

Earlier it was reported that against the backdrop of a change in global strategy, the Spanish Repsol, formerly a major investor in the Russian fuel and energy complex, announced its withdrawal from Russia in December last year. The company will sell its shares in the oil assets of Evrotek-Yugra and ASB Geo to a Russian partner, Gazprom Neft.

Repsol is the largest oil and gas company in Spain and Latin America, one of the ten largest oil and gas corporations in the world.
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CHIMEI completed a one-year-long ecological survey of its Green Energy Park, covering the diversity of animals, plants, and soil properties. Results of the survey indicate that 282 species of animals and plants have been recorded in the park, showing that the ecology of animals and plants in our Green Energy Park is quite rich compared with that in general low-altitude farmland and rural areas, said the company.

Its soil, common loam of the alluvial plain surrounding the Zengwen River, is of good quality, and there is no heavy metal pollution. The CHIMEI Green Energy Park was officially opened in August 2020. Under its core concept of "symbiosis of trees and electricity", a solar power plant was set up on the premise of preserving existing trees and vegetation to the greatest extent possible. In addition to having installed solar panels with total potential energy generation of 20 million kWh per year, the park also has a rich and valuable natural ecology. Nevertheless, it lacked systematic ecological survey data.

CHIMEI saw that it was necessary to conduct a detailed ecological survey of the park to maintain its existing natural ecology. Through professional academic surveys, CHIMEI has gained a deeper understanding of the ecological characteristics of its Green Energy Park, which will serve as the basis for monitoring the future ecological impact of the region over the long term.

Therefore, in April 2021, CHIMEI commissioned the team of Prof. I-Ling Lai from the Graduate Institute of Bioresources of the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology to conduct a quarterly ecological survey for a period of one year (a total of four surveys). The survey targeted three categories: plants, animals, and soil. The park was divided into 14 survey areas, according to characteristics of landscape and vegetation, and the ecology of each area was recorded.

In the plant survey, a total of 282 species were recorded, which included 148 native species, of which 10 species endemic to Taiwan and 12 protected species were planted. A total of 282 animal species were surveyed, including 14 species endemic to Taiwan, 17 subspecies endemic to Taiwan, and 8 protected species.

The survey also showed that the grass in the solar panel area was flourishing. This was a result of CHIMEI adopting a green construction method. Zero concrete was used in the panel foundations and zero cement and asphalt were used in the entire park area, meaning that plants are free to grow under the photovoltaic panels. In addition, the park is regularly weeded and maintained. Although this means increased maintenance costs, it is beneficial to the growth, proliferation, and diversity of plants. When solar panels are cleaned, only water is used, so the risk of adverse effects on the soil is reduced.

The animal survey indicates that fireflies and dragonflies, which are both indicator organisms, have been recorded in the park, meaning that the park’s habitat is in a good state. Presence of birds of prey, such as collared scops owls and black-winged kites, also indicates that the park has a complete food chain and superb biodiversity.

At present, the survey has established complete data on the animal and plant species as well as the soil properties of the Green Energy Park. In the future, CHIMEI will use this survey as the basis to conduct long-term monitoring and plan conservation actions, thereby continuing to protect its biodiversity.

As per MRC, Lummus Technology announced it has been awarded a technology contract by Zhangzhou CHIMEI Chemical Co., a subsidiary of CHIMEI Corp. of Taiwan, for a grassroots diphenyl carbonate (DPC) plant in Fujian Province, China. Zhangzhou CHIMEI will build a new polycarbonate (PC) production plant that leverages the Versalis DPC technology licensed by Lummus. The plant will have a capacity of 156,000 MTA of DPC and is expected to reach mass production in Q4 2024.

We remind, EPC Engineering & Technologies GmbH has been selected as technology licensor by ChiMei Corporation and its subsidiary Zhangzhou CHIMEI Chemical Co., Ltd. for a new 180 KTPA Polycarbonate Project to be located in Zhangzhou, China. EPC will provide a license for its patented EPC variPLANT Technology and proprietary equipment to CHIMEI and will also deliver engineering and onsite support for this project.
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Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. announced that it has formed an agreement to acquire the pellicle business of Asahi Kasei Corporation, said the company.

According to Mitsui Chemical’s Long-Term Business plan VISION 2030, it is aiming with creating and growing a "unique" ICT Solutions business to grow products that will let it create and grow operations here into our third pillar of earnings under the business portfolio transformation. This will see the pellicle business in particular positioned as a key product lineup on the ICT materials front, as well as a business to focus on further going forward. Hopes then are to offer highly competitive new products and solutions that contribute to innovation in the semiconductor production process, allowing Mitsui Chemicals to serve as the number one manufacturer of cutting-edge pellicles.

Mitsui Chemicals has been able to secure a significant presence in the pellicle market since first launching pellicle sales in 1984. The company has become the leader in cutting-edge products for LSI pellicles*1, and stands at the forefront in achieving commercialization of EUV pellicles – these being used in EUV lithography, an advanced technology in the semiconductor industry.

Still, with the LSI pellicle market trending toward higher resolutions and more advanced quality assurance standards, it will be essential to develop technologies here further and keep up investments. Mitsui Chemicals has therefore discussed the future of pellicle operations on a number of occasions with Asahi Kasei, which has both advanced technologies and a sturdy business foundation in the pellicle arena. Resulting from these discussions is the conclusion that the best way to strengthen business here would be to combine the pellicle businesses of Mitsui Chemicals and Asahi Kasei, moving to operate them.

Asahi Kasei’s own pellicle business was first commercialized in 1986. Since then, this business has
propped up the FPD pellicle 2 market as its number one player. It has also forged ahead with manufacturing process improvements, production capacity increases and more for LSI pellicles, facilitating an increasing market share in recent years in the cutting-edge market posed by ArF immersion lithography.

By acquiring this business, Mitsui Chemicals aims to combine its own pellicle business in the cutting- edge realm with Asahi Kasei’s wide-ranging pellicle business portfolio, making for a comprehensive pellicle manufacturer that can strengthen our position as number one on the global stage.

As per MRC, Olin Corp. (Calyton, Mo.) and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Tokyo) announced a global strategic alliance to better serve customers. The companies have agreed to a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint venture that brings together Mitsui’s top-notch global logistics, deep supplier and customer relationships, and breadth of product portfolio with Olin’s scale, North American export capability, and production flexibility across the electrochemical unit (ECU) portfolio.

As per MRC, Mitsui Chemicals, Maruzen Petrochemical Co., Toyo Engineering Corporation and Sojitz Machinery Corporation announced that a joint pilot project to be demonstrated by the four companies is to be funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.

As MRC informed before, earlier this month, Covestro entered into an agreement with Mitsui Chemicals on the supply of raw materials phenol and acetone from ISCC Plus certified mass-balanced sources. Both components will be used for the production of polycarbonate at Covestro's Asian sites in Shanghai, China, and Map Ta Phut, Thailand. The high-performance plastic is used, for example, in car headlights, LED lights, electronic and medical devices and automotive glazing. Japan's Mitsui Chemicals and Mitsui & Co., Ltd are already a long-standing supplier to Covestro.

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Chevron Corporation announced that the independent directors of the Chevron Board have selected Dr. Wanda M. Austin as lead independent director, effective May 25, 2022, said the company.

Dr. Austin succeeds Dr. Ronald D. Sugar in that role, who will remain on the Chevron Board. Austin has served on the Chevron Board since December 2016.

"We are pleased to announce Dr. Austin’s selection as our next lead independent director,” said Mike Wirth, chairman and CEO. “Wanda was selected by the independent directors of the Board based on her thoughtful leadership and contributions in a variety of roles, including as chair of our Board Nominating and Governance Committee and as former chair of our Public Policy and Sustainability Committee. We thank her for accepting this responsibility to lead and provide independent oversight of management."

“I’d also like to express my appreciation to Dr. Sugar for his strong leadership and sound judgment as lead independent director,” continued Wirth. “Ron has served in this role since 2015, as the company experienced the pandemic and geopolitical challenges, secured multiple acquisitions and embraced its role in the energy transition as we pursue our objective of safely delivering higher returns, lower carbon."

Dr. Austin will continue to serve as chair of the Board Nominating and Governance Committee and member of the Management Compensation Committee. Dr. Sugar will continue to serve on the Board Nominating and Governance Committee and Management Compensation Committee.

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We are focused on lowering the carbon intensity in our operations and seeking to grow lower carbon businesses along with our traditional business lines.

As per MRC, Chevron and ExxonMobil have signed separate agreements with state energy company PT Pertamina to explore lower carbon business opportunities in Indonesia. Chevron signed an MoU through its subsidiary, Chevron New Ventures Pte. Ltd, and is looking at potential businesses in new geothermal technology, carbon offsets through nature-based solutions, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), Pertamina said.

We remind that Chevron Phillips Chemical, a joint venture of Phillips 66 and Chevron, will make a final investment decision on a new cracker in far southeast Texas in 2022, followed by an FID in 2023 on an USD8 billion joint venture petrochemical complex along the US Gulf Coast in 2023.
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At least two people died in an explosion at a Spanish biodiesel plant in the northeastern region of La Rioja on Thursday, said Reuters.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the explosion. Local TV showed footage of thick plumes of black smoke rising from the site.

A group of 250 children visiting a bird park nearby had to be evacuated, the central government's regional office said. All were unharmed.

The plant is operated by privately-owned company Iniciativas Bioenergeticas which produces biodiesel and glycerine there from recycled vegetable oils. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

As per MRC, Repsol's industrial division posted an adjusted net income of €236m in the first quarter of this year, up sharply from the EUR73m it reported in the same period a year earlier, supported by strong refining earnings. Operating performance at the industrial business' refining unit was €334m higher year-on-year mainly due to higher refining margins and higher utilization rates at distillation units, the company said in a statement. In chemicals, operating performance was €41m lower year-on-year due to higher input prices and higher energy and CO2 costs.

Earlier it was reported that against the backdrop of a change in global strategy, the Spanish Repsol, formerly a major investor in the Russian fuel and energy complex, announced its withdrawal from Russia in December last year. The company will sell its shares in the oil assets of Evrotek-Yugra and ASB Geo to a Russian partner, Gazprom Neft.

Repsol is the largest oil and gas company in Spain and Latin America, one of the ten largest oil and gas corporations in the world.
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