Arkema announces further elastomer capacity expansions in France

Arkema S.A. (Colombes, France) is boosting its previously announced global Pebax elastomer capacity expansion at its Serquigny, France site from +25% to +40% in two separate phases, firstly in Q1 2023 by raising global capacity by 15%, the additional 25% starting in Q3 2023, said the company.

The greater increase in Pebax elastomer capacity will support the strong demand from partner customers in the sports, consumer electronics, medical and industrial markets, who recognize the highly specialized Pebax grades’ lightweight, flexibility and exceptional energy return. Applications range from ultra-fast running shoes to catheters or flexible device screens.

Beyond this new capacity expansion in France and to support the growth of its global customers, the Group is currently assessing further investment opportunities, including in Asia.

As customer demand is increasingly driven by sustainability and social responsibility, over the last few years Arkema has benefited from strong growth in particular for its bio-based Pebax Rnew grades, derived from renewable castor beans. These materials have a significantly lower carbon footprint thanks to their bio-based content and can be fully recycled as part of Arkema’s Virtucycle recycling program for advanced polymers.

The Group continues to innovate and invest to further improve its materials’ carbon footprint. As part of this expansion for example, water consumption will be reduced by 25% at the Serquigny site thanks to process improvements.

As per MRC, Arkema finalized the acquisition of Polimeros Especiales, strengthening the Group’s offering in solvent-free solutions and its position in this fast growing region.

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PPG announced a 1.5 megawatt (MW) agreement with Constellation that will help PPG purchase clean, renewable energy equivalent to the annual electricity use of its Adrian, Mich., automotive adhesives and sealants manufacturing facility beginning in 2024, said the company.

Through a 12-year agreement, PPG will receive energy and project-specific renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Swift Current Energy’s Double Black Diamond Solar Energy Project. This deal is made possible by a long-term agreement between Constellation and the project developer and long-term owner, Swift Current Energy, under which Constellation will purchase a portion of the energy and RECs generated by Double Black Diamond. Construction of the solar project is expected to start by the end of 2022.

PPG’s Adrian facility manufactures adhesives and sealants for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and has more than 65 employees. The facility will procure approximately 3,500 megawatt hours of energy per year from the Double Black Diamond solar project, which is expected to help PPG reduce its carbon footprint by more than 2,400 metric tons annually. This is the equivalent emissions of more than 530 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year, according to EPA greenhouse gas equivalencies.

“We recognize the pivotal moment we are facing for climate change and how much work there is to be done to reduce our collective carbon impact,” said Diane Kappas, PPG vice president, Global Sustainability. “Our collaboration with Constellation and Swift Current Energy will allow us to continue making progress against our near-term decarbonization goals and enable us to operate our Adrian facility in a more energy efficient manner. We look forward to identifying additional renewable energy opportunities globally to meet our greenhouse gas emission reduction targets."

“Constellation is proud to complete its second offsite renewable agreement with PPG in as many years, and we commend PPG on taking proactive steps to reduce its carbon footprint,” said Jim McHugh, chief commercial officer, Constellation. “As our customers’ carbon free energy needs evolve, we are committed to providing them with what they need now and into the future. That is why our suite of sustainable power options will soon include an hourly carbon-free solution, to help our customers reach their zero emissions goals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year."

PPG recently announced the startup of a high-efficiency power-generation facility at its Automotive OEM manufacturing site in Quattordio, Italy. The company also made a commitment to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) to create new reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions that define a pathway to reduce the impacts of climate change.

We remind, PPG will invest USD11 million to double the production capacity of its powder coatings plant in San Juan del Rio, Mexico. The expansion project is expected to be completed by mid-2023 and will allow the plant to meet the expected future demand for powder coatings in Mexico.

PPG is a leading supplier of powder coatings to the automotive, transportation, appliance, furniture and other markets. The company expanded the business with its 2020 acquisition of Alpha Coating Technologies, which manufactures powder coatings for light industrial applications and heat-sensitive substrates, and its 2021 acquisition of Worwag, which makes liquid, powder and film coatings for industrial and automotive applications. PPG recently agreed to acquire the powder coatings business of Arsonsisi, including a manufacturing plant in Verbania, Italy.
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In the effort to increase the availability of postindustrial recycled materials and reduce its dependence on virgin polymers, Berry Global Group Inc., Evansville, Indiana, has announced it will use a closed-loop recycling system to aid in the manufacturing of its Endura product line, said Recyclingtoday.

The system was first introduced earlier this year at six of the company’s existing European locations. Through it, Berry supplies customers with nonwoven materials, receives postindustrial materials from the conversion processes of its customers and incorporates recycled content into Berry’s Endura nonwovens line.

According to Berry, Endura Spunbond and Meltblown products contain up to 90-percent-recycled content for use in applications like disinfectant wipes, home and bedding, roofing and carpet tiles.

“Customers look to Berry for help in reaching their sustainability goals,” says Achim Schalk, executive vice president/general manager Health, Hygiene and Specialties Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Through our size and scale, we have the unique ability to invest and commercialize innovative, sustainable solutions to increase recycled content, reduce emissions and promote circularity."

Through the use of the Endura line and closed-loop recycling, Berry will gain increased access to recycled plastic. The company says the use of postindustrial materials results in a 70 percent reduction of Scope 1 CO2 equivalent emissions during the manufacturing process, per kilogram, versus virgin materials, and will directly impact its target to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25 percent from 2019.

Berry says products under the Endura line are recognized under the SCS Recycled Content Certification, which measures the percentage of recycled content for the purpose of making an accurate claim in the marketplace, allowing customers the ability to include the SCS logo on-pack.

We remind, PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG), the petrochemical arm of PETRONAS, and ExxonMobil have signed a memorandum of understanding to assess the potential for large-scale implementation of advanced plastic recycling technology to help create a circular economy for plastics in Malaysia. The companies will also evaluate opportunities to support improvements to plastic waste collection and sorting in the country. Representing PCG at the signing was Ir. Mohd Yusri, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, and for ExxonMobil, Dave Andrew, Vice President of new market development.
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Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd. commissions expansion of Caustic Soda Plant at Dahej, said the company.

Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd. has successfully commissioned expansion of Caustic Soda Plant at Dahej Complex and started production of Caustic Soda on 20th September, 2022 from newly installed facility.

The Board of Directors of the Company had earlier approved the expansion of Caustic Soda Plant of Dahej Complex from 785 TPD to 1310 TPD and installation of 65 MW Coal based Power Plant at Dahej Complex.

We remind, on 4 Aug 2022, Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited released its unaudited financial results for the 1Q FY 2023 ended 30 Jun 2022. Four tables present the company's financial performance for 2022 and 2021. For the standalone results for the quarter, total income amounted to Rup 113,422 lakhs, an increase from Rup 73,169 lakhs in the same quarter of 2021. Total expenses amounted to Rup 79,796 lakhs, up from Rup 63,857 lakhs. Profit amounted to Rup 22,207 lakhs, an increase from Rup 6350 lakhs. For the consolidated results for the quarter, total income amounted to Rup 113,422 lakhs, an increase from Rup 73,169 lakhs in the same quarter of 2021. Total expenses amounted to Rup 79,796 lakhs, up from Rup 63,857 lakhs. Profit amounted to Rup 19,087 lakhs, an increase from Rup 6312 lakhs. (1 crore=10 M, 1 lakh=100,000).

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Eastman Chemical Company announced that Travis Smith has been named Senior Vice President, Additives & Functional Products (AFP). Effective October 10, 2022, Smith will be assuming AFP responsibilities from Executive Vice President Lucian Boldea, who is stepping down to pursue an opportunity outside of Eastman, said the company.

“I am excited to welcome Travis to the Executive Team. Travis brings decades of business and operational experience and deep industry knowledge to our executive leadership,” said Mark Costa, Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “He is well respected for his pragmatic approach and numerous contributions advancing Eastman’s transformation to a leading material innovation company. We are fortunate to have a deep bench of talent at Eastman, and Travis’s appointment underscores our continued efforts to cultivate leaders across our organization. We look forward to benefitting from Travis’s expertise and insights as we continue to deliver on our innovation-driven growth strategy and create value for our shareholders."
Smith joined Eastman in 1992 and currently serves as Division President, Films. He has held several roles instrumental to the company’s growth and transformation, including vice president and general manager, performance films, and Asia Pacific regional business director, specialty plastics. Smith received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

“On behalf of the Board and management team, I want to thank Lucian for his many years of service to Eastman,” said Costa. “Lucian is a proven leader who has been instrumental in driving our transformational strategy forward. We are grateful for his outstanding leadership, especially during these last several years of unprecedented global challenges. I know Lucian will do well in his future endeavors, and we wish him continued success."

As per MRC, Eastman announced a planned increase of its Therminol 66 heat transfer fluid manufacturing capacity in Anniston, USA. The plant expansion is expected to be complete in 2024. With the expansion of its capacity for Therminol 66, Eastman increases its production volume for this heat transfer fluid in the US by 50?%. The expansion of the company’s plant in Annistion, USA, is expected to be completed in 2024.

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability.
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