Lummus Technology to supply its Catofin process technology to the project in China

Lummus Technology, a global provider of process technologies and value-driven energy solutions, announced the commissioning and startup of a propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit at Shandong Ruize Chemical Technology Co., Ltd.'s complex in Zibo City, Shandong Province, China, said the company.

With a capacity of 300 KTA, the unit uses Lummus' world-class CATOFIN® PDH technology to produce propylene. The unit is part of Shandong Ruize's plan to transition its complex from refining to petrochemicals.

"This successful startup demonstrates the cost-effective flexibility of Lummus' CATOFIN technology, from Shandong Ruize's smaller-scale 300 KTA unit to some of the world's largest PDH units that we've licensed recently," said Leon de Bruyn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lummus Technology. "CATOFIN has been selected for a majority of new PDH awards recently because of its high reliability and performance, which also lead to lower operating expenses and higher profitability for Lummus' customers."

In 2018, Lummus received the award for the CATOFIN technology license, basic engineering design, and training and startup services. While the official startup and commissioning occurred in May of this year, the pandemic necessitated the Lummus team to adapt and customize their launch and support plans, both virtually and onsite, to successfully meet Shandong Ruize's startup and operational needs.

CATOFIN technology is an industry-leading method for light paraffin dehydrogenation that delivers excellent annual production output compared to alternative technologies. The process operates at thermodynamically advantaged reactor pressure and temperature to maximize conversion of propane to propylene, while reducing investment and operating costs.

As per MRC, Lummus Technology, a global provider of process technologies and value-driven solutions, announced the launch of its Polaris breech-lock closure, a new technological upgrade applicable to its high-pressure heat exchanger equipment. This advanced design of breech-lock closure provides a host of operational benefits including safe, reliable and secure sealing under all conditions, a simplified assembly and easier maintenance.
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ECI Group has signed two license agreements for Process Technology and Engineering Design with a confidential client in China, said Hydrocarbonprocesing.

The two lines will be capable of producing 50,000 tons per year of Ethylene Butyl Acrylate (EBA) and 100,000 tons per year of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) respectively, with the ability to produce other associated high-pressure copolymers in the future.

The plants will be part of the client’s refining and petrochemical integrated project, a mega complex to be located in the Province of Jiangsu. ECI Group will provide the technology, design, and training for the two lines, as well as support through commissioning, start-up, and production.

Repsol, the multi-energy company, is the technology partner of ECI Group and will provide its extensive technical expertise on these kinds of plants and products. Repsol has several LDPE, EVA, and EBA plants in its industrial complexes in Spain and Portugal and has over 40 years of experience producing polymers in high-pressure facilities.

The plants will use high-pressure autoclave technology that has its roots in the heritage ICI process to manufacture of Polyethylene. ICI first created LDPE in the 1930s, and ICI partnered with ECI Group’s subsidiary company Simon Carves over five decades to deliver over 67 operating reactor lines around the world. The ECI Group design offers significant improvements in the product range, reliability, and expandability to the original ICI technology, and is optimized to make use of modern materials, design techniques, standards, and industry best practices for construction, operation, and maintenance.

While the client declined to provide a comment citing project confidentiality, they noted that they had reviewed a number of technology options and made the decision to select ECI Group’s autoclave technology for a number of important reasons including the unmatched product range, lower operating costs and the design built for future expansion of capacity and product development capabilities. They also recognized Repsol’s reputation as a long-standing producer of high-quality products, and expressed their desire to work with both partners for a fruitful long-term cooperation.

As per MRC, Repsol's Board of Directors today approved the sale of a 25% stake in Repsol Renewables to the consortium formed by the French insurance company Credit Agricole Assurances and Switzerland-based Energy Infrastructure Partner (EIP) for EUR905 mln.

As per MRC, Repsol will invest EUR105 mln in the Puertollano Industrial Complex to build the first plant in the Iberian Peninsula capable of manufacturing ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), a material considered a 'super polymer' due to its exceptional properties. This new plant will be operational by the end of 2024 and will have an annual capacity of 15,000 tons. For the construction of the plant, Repsol has selected the technology of DSM, a renowned UHMWPE producer based in the Netherlands. This involves the use of cutting-edge, proven technology that adapts to the needs of customers.
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thyssenkrupp nucera will grant the license and supply proprietary equipment to the expansion plans of the Caustic Soda (NaOH) plant for Kutch Chemical Industries in Padana, Gujarat, India, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The current plant is operating since 2020 and consists of five electrolyzers with thyssenkrupp nucera’s proprietary BM Single Element technology. With this expansion the capacity will be more than doubled to an additional 670 metric tons per day NaOH (100%).

Completion and commissioning are planned for 2023; the contract size is in the lower double-digit million-euro range. With this investment, Kutch Chemical Industries intends to strengthen its market position and meet the growing demand for basic chemicals in the region and growing internal demand as well.

Caustic Soda is essential for a large number of end products, like detergents, soaps and disinfection, as well as used to process raw aluminum for example.

Denis Krude, CEO of thyssenkrupp nucera: “thyssenkrupp nucera together with its long-lasting partner thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions India is an expert for system integration of holistic chlorine electrolysis plants catering to each project’s individual needs. With this second project for Kutch Chemical Industries, we are very proud to continue a successful business partnership and support our client on their growth path."

thyssenkrupp nucera’s scope in the chlorine electrolysis business includes the supply and services around engineering, supply of all major plant equipment, supervision of the erection and commissioning activities, training of the operating personnel as well as holistic 360-degree service solutions for the entire lifecycle of a plant. Kutch Chemical Industries Ltd. belongs to the Goyal Group of Industries and is highly experienced in the processes of Chlorination, Nitration, Sulphonation and Dye Intermediate products.

As per MRC, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions’ subsidiary Uhde Inventa-Fischer signed a contract to build new world-scale polymer plants for MERINOS HALI SANAYI VE TICARET A.S., Turkey. The plant will use Uhde Inventa-Fischer’s proprietary patented MTR (Melt-to-Resin) technology to produce 330,000 tpy of resin for the production of PET bottles as well as bright chips for textile applications.
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Borealis (Vienna, Austria) says it is running its polyolefins production at Schwechat, Austria, at reduced rates until “at least the end of the third quarter” following an incident at majority owner OMV’s integrated refinery in Schwechat, said Plasteurope.

The reduction by Borealis of its polyolefins output follows an incident earlier in June at OMV’s refinery that resulted in damage to the main crude distillation unit during a water pressure test on 3 June. OMV supplies the majority of monomers, including ethylene and propylene, to Borealis for the company’s polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) production. Borealis says polyolefin production rates were subsequently “significantly reduced,” with disruption expected until the end of the third quarter.

"Borealis has not declared force majeure on its polyolefins production in Schwechat. The company is currently working on a multi-sourcing strategy for polymers in order to limit supply disruptions,” it says. “However, reduced production will imply delays for Borealis polyolefins deliveries and reduced availability of specific grades."

OMV says that steam cracker operating rates at Schwechat were reduced, though naphtha is being sourced to feed the cracker from the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp region, Germany, Romania, and the Black Sea, according to S&P Global. The refinery is expected to be repaired and fully operational in second half of the third quarter, it has previously stated. OMV’s steam cracker has a nameplate ethylene capacity of 500,000 metric tons/year.

Borealis produces low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and PP at its petchems site in Schwechat.

As per MRC, Borealis is investing around EUR200 mln to upgrade and expand its XLPE and semicon assets at existing production locations in Europe. This ambitious initiative will serve the W&C market by safeguarding the reliable supply of high-quality insulation and semiconductive materials in the long term, and particularly those required to support global offshore wind and interconnector projects.
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Trinseo, a specialty material solutions provider, and GMP Group (GMP), a circular business innovations company in the Netherlands, announced jointly today their intended concerted efforts in further unlocking the circularity of polystyrene (PS), said the company.

Food-contact PS is an ideal material for food packaging, and recycled food-contact PS helps contribute to the circularity of packaging materials, especially when packaging waste remains a concern in many domains. Food-contact PS is an ideal material for food packaging, and recycled food-contact PS helps contribute to the circularity of packaging materials, especially when packaging waste remains a concern in many domains.

PS is a common material used in numerous applications, including packaging and consumer goods. Food-contact PS is an ideal material for food packaging, and recycled food-contact PS helps contribute to the circularity of packaging materials, especially when packaging waste remains a concern in many domains.

Trinseo and GMP’s collaboration aims at providing a framework for cooperation, on an exclusive basis, the construction and operation by GMP of an advanced pretreatment or regeneration plant with a minimum 25kt capacity in the Netherlands. The plant will purify PS waste and deliver high-quality recycled PS pellets via the Super Clean recycling process. The anticipated startup date of the plant in the Netherlands is 2024. There is also an intended execution of a long-term tolling and off-taking agreement.

The intended collaboration will see the two companies conduct research into other supply and processing opportunities, utilizing their combined technology expertise to help develop more sustainable solutions.

As per MRC, Trinseo, a specialty material solutions provider, opened its new Global Business Services (GBS) office in Dublin City Centre, welcoming representatives from leading local businesses and organisations, staff and partners to an official unveiling ceremony attended by Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD.

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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