Repsol and Suma Capital launch new Venture Capital fund to invest in cleantech

Repsol and Suma Capital launch new Venture Capital fund to invest in cleantech

Repsol allies with Suma Capital, the leading ESG and impact investment manager in Spain, to create the SC Net Zero Tech Ventures fund, to invest in companies developing promising technologies in decarbonization and circular economy with the ambition of accelerating their application on an industrial scale, said the company.

Repsol will contribute EUR50 million to this fund, which will bring in new investors, and up to total capital of EUR150 million. The fund will have clear sustainability objectives and promote the double transition, digital and green, in the important challenge of the fight against climate change where new technologies will play a key role.

Also, Repsol Corporate Venturing, the multi-energy company's vehicle for investing in technology startups, created in 2016, now ends one stage, and will be renamed Repsol Deep Tech for the next stage. It will be exclusively owned by the company and endowed with EUR50 million to make minority investments in startups that are in the early stages of developing technologies for decarbonization.

Through these two new funds, which complement each other, Repsol creates a new model of open innovation and collaboration with the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The objective is to diversify its venture capital investment strategy and combine its internal capabilities in innovation and proprietary technology development with participation in technology startups. The strategic objectives of these funds support the company's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, identifying new opportunities and technologies that will contribute to the achievement of its decarbonization objectives.

As per MRC, Repsol will build a new plant in Tarragona, with an investment of over EUR35 M for the manufacture of Cross-linkable Polyethylene (XLPE), a polymer used in cable insulation, located between the conductor and the outer protective layers. The plant will have an annual capacity of 27 kt and is scheduled to start in mid-2024. The LSHC (Linear Short Hyperclean) new technology selected for the plant, from Buss AG, will provide a product with very competitive properties, enabling Repsol to complete its product range for cables by incorporating materials for HV (high voltage) and EHV (extra-high voltage) cables.

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AkzoNobel to acquire performance coatings firm Lankwitzer

AkzoNobel to acquire performance coatings firm Lankwitzer

AkzoNobel (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) is to bolster its performance coatings portfolio after reaching an agreement to acquire the wheel liquid coatings business of Lankwitzer Lackfabrik GmbH. Completion, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected before the end of 2022, said Chemengonline.

Lankwitzer’s Rims and Wheel business operates out of a manufacturing site in Leipzig, Germany. Its products are approved for use by car manufacturers such as Daimler, Audi, VW, Opel, Fiat and Renault. “Acquiring this attractive business will complement our existing powder coatings portfolio and expand the range of innovative products we supply,” explains Michael Friede, AkzoNobel’s Chief Commercial Officer – Performance Coatings. “We’ll be able to provide a comprehensive liquid and powder aluminum wheel coating offering to customers, becoming a one-stop-shop for the wheels industry, which will significantly reinforce our position in an important automotive market."

He adds that the intended deal is also another clear sign that the company is continuing to make good progress with its strategic ambitions: “It’s a great match which aligns perfectly with our Grow & Deliver strategy and will give us access to new sectors of a market with exciting opportunities.

Commenting on the proposed acquisition, Dr. Leo Rokeach, Lankwitzer Managing Director, says: “We’re immensely proud of the business we’ve built here at Lankwitzer Leipzig. It’s now time to let our people and clients benefit from a global environment, which AkzoNobel undoubtedly offers. Being part of AkzoNobel’s worldwide activities will offer attractive growth prospects for the Leipzig site and its employees."

As well as the Leipzig facility, Lankwitzer’s wheel coatings business – which has a growing presence in China – operates laboratories in Germany (Leipzig) and Turkiye. The intended transaction follows on from a series of recent acquisitions by AkzoNobel over the last two years, including Grupo Orbis in Latin America, Titan Paints in Spain and Portugal, New Nautical Coatings in the US and, most recently, the intended acquisition of the African paints and coatings activities of Kansai Paint.

As per MRC, AkzoNobel has invested in a new production line for water-based texture paints at its Songjiang site in Shanghai, China – boosting capacity for supplying more sustainable products. The site is one of four water-based decorative paints plants in China and among the company’s largest globally. The new 2,500 square meter facility will produce Dulux products for various markets, such as interior decoration, architecture and leisure.
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Perstorp completes capacity expansion of 2-EHA in Sweden

Perstorp completes capacity expansion of 2-EHA in Sweden

Perstorp AB (Malmo, Sweden) has announced the completion of a capacity expansion for2-Ethylhexanoic Acid (2-EHA), one of the group’s flagship products for which Perstorp has the largest production capacity in the world. Earlier this year, Perstorp’s plant Stenungsund, Sweden, further increased the capacity to meet global demand from customers, said Chemengonline.

2-EHA is widely used in safety glass for car windows, synthetic lubricants, paint driers and corrosion inhibitors. To increase capacity has been on the wish list for quite some time. “This expansion is really important to further strengthen our position in the 2-EHA market. There is a healthy demand from our customers and these extra volumes are most welcome”, says Betty Lu, VP Business Oxo and Plasticizers.

The capacity expansion has been secured via debottlenecking of two existing plants at the site in Stenungsund, Sweden. Project Manager from GTI, Global Technology & Investments, Andreas Utbult explains: “To enable the expansion, modifications were required for both 2-EHAL production and 2-EHA production. The installations included new installations as well as replacement and modification of existing equipment, piping and instrumentation."

“It was a very intense period with a lot of work happening at the same time. I must say that it was the good cooperation between all involved that made the project successful and it feels great to be able to deliver on and exceed the project objectives,” Andreas adds.

As per MRC, Perstorp is taking a stand by converting a large majority of the polyols produced at their largest production plant in Perstorp, Sweden, to Pro-Environment products. By doing this, Perstorp will enable reduced greenhouse gas emissions for its polyol customers and downstream value chains.
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ALPLA acguired Polish packaging producer Apon

ALPLA acguired Polish packaging producer Apon

ALPLA Group (Hard, Austria) is boosting the presence of its pharma division in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with the acquisition of the Polish company APON, said Chemengonline.

APON produces plastic packaging for the pharma industry at its site in Zyrardow near Warsaw. The acquisition continues the growth and expansion course of the ALPLApharma business division established in 2019.

Bottles, containers, caps, dosage systems and accessories in certified clean-room quality – ALPLA has been producing plastic packaging for pharma products since 2016. The rapidly growing segment was consolidated under the brand ALPLApharma in 2019 and has been gradually expanded. ALPLA is continuing this expansionary course with the acquisition of the Polish company APON. ‘We are increasing our presence in Central and Eastern Europe and are providing the emerging market in Poland and the Baltic states with high-quality products right there in the region,’ explains Walter Knes, Managing Director, ALPLApharma.

APON was founded as a family business in 1985. Its workforce of approximately 45 at the site in Zyrardow near Warsaw currently produces bottles with fill volumes of 5 to 100 milliliters, containers with screw caps or snap lids and medical accessories with dosage aids. The pharmaceutical primary packaging is produced in a clean room in accordance with ISO 15378.

The company also produces packaging for food supplements and for the e-liquid sector. The plastics used as packaging materials are HDPE, LDPE, PP and PET. It has a total annual production of over 200 million units. Its integration into the ALPLA Group is beneficial for both parties – in addition to the development of new markets, it will allow for access to technological expertise and packaging innovations. All of the APON staff will be kept on.

ALPLApharma has its main sites in Egypt, Greece, Romania, South Africa and Poland, as well as production plants in nine other countries. Further expansionary steps are planned in the months and years to come. Its portfolio will also be expanded. In addition to standard products for the pharma industry, it focuses on packaging for over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals and food supplements. ALPLApharma recently added flexible EBM (extrusion blow molding) technology to its production because of this, making it possible for sustainable, weight-reduced and cost-effective containers to be produced.

‘The Pharma division has huge future potential. As well as above-average market growth, the segment is characterized by strong customer loyalty. With our global capacities and quality standards, we make reliable and long-term partnerships possible,’ emphasizes ALPLA CEO Philipp Lehner.

As per MRC, Alpla is expanding its recycling capacity in Germany following the acquisition of Texplast and PET Recycling Team Wolfen. Focussing on the German bottle-to-bottle market, the acquisition of the two companies will increase Alpla’s annual processing volume of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles in Germany to 75,000 tonnes/year.
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Arkema reinforces its commitment to the climate

Arkema reinforces its commitment to the climate

Arkema has set itself an ambitious target, based on an SBT (Science Based Target) approach, to reduce its scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and its scope 3 emissions by 46% by 2030 relative to 2019, said the company.

Thus, the Group is raising its level of commitment from well below 2°C to 1.5°C, and now also includes all scope 3 emissions. This decarbonization target is based on energy efficiency and the evolution of the energy mix of Arkema’s industrial activities for scopes 1 and 2. Regarding scope 3, it includes the reduction of the most emissive activities, innovation contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and suppliers’ commitment upstream of the value chain.

It will be supported by an increase in investments contributing to decarbonization, which could reach EUR400 million by 2030 and which will be included in the Group's recurring capital expenditure envelope.

"As a responsible manufacturer, Arkema is strongly mobilized to address the major societal challenge of decarbonization. With this new ambitious climate plan, the Group is taking a new step forward in its action for the fight against global warming. In particular, our cutting-edge expertise and innovation benefit our partners and customers in their own quest for sustainable performance, and we act on a daily basis to limit our carbon footprint," highlights Luc Benoit-Cattin, Executive Vice President Industry and CSR.

We remind, a graduate of Chimie ParisTech and Ecole Nationale Superieure du Petrole et des Moteurs, Emmanuelle Bromet has been appointed Sustainable Development Vice President at Arkema effective 28 July 2022.

Also, Nippon Shokubai and Arkema are joining forces to launch feasibility studies and establish a joint venture for the construction of an industrial plant for the production of LiFSI (Lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide) ultrapure electrolyte salts, a key component of battery cells for electric mobility.
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