ExxonMobil doubles polypropylene production at Baton Rouge

ExxonMobil doubles polypropylene production at Baton Rouge

ExxonMobil today announced the successful startup of its new polypropylene production unit at the Polyolefins Plant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, said the company.

The unit increases polypropylene production capacity along the Gulf Coast by 450,000 metric tons per year, meeting growing demand for high-performance, lightweight and durable plastics, particularly for automotive parts that can improve fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions. Polypropylene, a polymer with several applications, is also used to improve the safety and efficiency of everyday products like medical masks and food packaging.

“With the startup of this new production unit, we are well positioned to responsibly meet the growing global demand for these high-performance polymers,” said Karen McKee, president of ExxonMobil Product Solutions. “The ingenuity of our people and our investments in technology enable us to produce high quality products that are essential to daily life.”

ExxonMobil maintained its investments in this advantaged project through the COVID pandemic and related economic downturn. The total capital investment was more than $500 million. ExxonMobil’s extensive mega-project management experience and unrivaled technology capability enabled the unit to start up according to planned cost and schedule.

During construction, the project employed more than 650 workers and with full operational status, requires an additional 65 full-time ExxonMobil jobs.

ExxonMobil’s integrated operations in Baton Rouge include a more than 500,000 barrel-per-day refinery, as well as chemical, lubricants, polyolefins and plastics manufacturing. ExxonMobil has more than 5,500 employees and contractors in the Baton Rouge area and its operations account for approximately one in every 10 jobs in the region.

We remind, ExxonMobil and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) have joined forces to deploy MHI’s leading CO2 capture technology as part of ExxonMobil’s end-to-end carbon capture and storage (CCS) solution for industrial customers.

ExxonMobil, one of the largest publicly traded international energy and petrochemical companies, creates solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs. The corporation’s primary businesses - Upstream, Product Solutions and Low Carbon Solutions - provide products that enable modern life, including energy, chemicals, lubricants, and lower-emissions technologies. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading portfolio of resources, and is one of the largest integrated fuels, lubricants and chemical companies in the world.
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Second BOBST Metallizer installed at Polyplex Indonesia within two years

Second BOBST Metallizer installed at Polyplex Indonesia within two years

The new machine complements the existing EXPERT K5 3300mm which was installed in 2019 and together the two machines incorporate a host of BOBST unique process innovations including AluBond, AlOx and DarkNight, said Polymerupdate.

PT Polyplex Indonesia is part of the Polyplex Corporation which has had a relationship with BOBST since 2015 and has 4 EXPERT K5’s across their production sites in Indonesia, India and USA. The Indian multinational company which started in 1988 has 7 manufacturing locations in 5 different countries and is a leading PET Film manufacturer and supplies customers across the globe. PT Polyplex Indonesia incorporated in 2017 has an annual turnover of 160 million USD, nearly 600 staff and operates primarily in the Flexible Packaging sector.

Both machines at the Indonesia site incorporate a 700mm coating drum, which is unique to the EXPERT K5 and the largest in the industry resulting in less aluminium consumption and maximum productivity and production cost savings.

Also unique to BOBST is the AluBond process which is on both machines and was initially developed to increase metal adhesion and dyne level on the most commonly used film substrates but is now fast becoming the standard metallizing process for polyolefin based PP substrates due to its ability to increase barrier levels on these film types.

We remind, Polyplex (Thailand) Public Limited Company (PTL), a subsidiary of Polyplex Corporation Limited (PCL; Gautam Buddh Nagar, India), will invest USD102.8 million to build a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) thin film line at Decatur, Alabama. The production capacity of the planned plant will be 50,000 metric tons/year.

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Nouryon announces the appointment of Philip Clark as Chief Technology Officer

Nouryon announces the appointment of Philip Clark as Chief Technology Officer

Clark is responsible for the company’s global technology and innovation strategies in alignment with the company’s sustainability and growth targets, said the company.

He also serves as the business leader that builds research capabilities in support of the company’s strategic direction.
“Philip will be an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” said Charlie Shaver, Nouryon Chairman and CEO. “He brings impressive executive experience with a strong international and innovation track record. His customer-focused passion for innovation across markets and applications will be instrumental in delivering on our ambitious growth plans. We look forward to his contributions.”

Clark joins Nouryon from 3M, where he was the Vice President and Technical Director for the 3M Automotive and Aerospace Solutions Division. He has more than 20 years of experience in technology development and product commercialization with a focus on product development, process technology and new product introduction portfolio management. Through his career, he has lived and worked in South Korea, in addition to the US.

Clark serves as a member of the Conference Board’s Innovation and Digital Transformation Institute and the Product and Services Leadership Council.

He has a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Harvard University as well as a B.S. in both Chemistry and Biology from Bates College where he was a Dana Apprentice Chemical Fellow.

We remind, Nobian has successfully started to supply chlorine and caustic soda from 100% renewable electricity in the Netherlands and Germany. This achievement underlines Nobian’s commitment to accelerating the supply of green products in its portfolio. The certification of Nobian’s caustic soda and chlorine by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) contributes to Nobian’s renewable energy goals, as part of its sustainability program Grow Greener Together.

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LG Chem launches Asia first ISCC Plus certified plant-based ABS

LG Chem launches Asia first ISCC Plus certified plant-based ABS

With the launch of its eco-friendly, highly functional bio-based ABS, LG Chem has added a further product to its growing portfolio of LetZero materials, said Sustainableplastics.

LetZero is the brand name under which the company has brought its range of sustainable materials together, and includes PCR made of reprocessed waste plastics, renewably-sourced biomaterials, and biodegradable materials made of glucose and waste glycerol extracted from corn.

ABS is LG Chems leading product on the global market. The company sells some two million tonnes of transparent ABS per year. The material is in high demand because of its favourable properties, such as outstanding heat and impact resistance, toughness, good colourability and processability. It is currently one of the go-to materials in applications ranging from toys, and household appliances to the automotive and construction industry.

LG Chem has already supplied the new Bio-Circular balanced ABS to leading toy manufacturer Mattel, in the US. ”We will lead the market with sustainable materials centred on eco-friendly products and provide valuable consumption opportunities for customers," LG Chem's petrochemical division head No Guk-rae said in a 4 Dec statement.

LG Chem has adopted the biomass balance approach in the production of various plant-based materials and is the first Asian company to bring an ISCC Plus-certified ‘eco-friendly’ ABS to the market. According to the company, a life cycle assessment has been performed showing that the new grade generates significantly lower carbon emissions from raw material production to shipment compared to conventionally produced ABS.

We remind, LG Chem will invest 310 billion won (USD233 million) to build a plastic recycling plant and an aerogel plant in Dangjin, South Chungcheong. The chemical company signed a memorandum of understanding with the South Gyeongsang provincial office and Dangjin city government Wednesday, with CEO Shin Hak-cheol and South Gyeongsang governor Kim Tae-heum and Dangjin Mayor Oh Seong-hwan, in attendance.

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Azelis to buy specialties distributor Chemiplas Agencies

Azelis, a leading global innovation service provider in the specialty chemicals and food ingredients industry, announces that is has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Chemiplas Agencies Ltd (“Chemiplas”), one of the leading distributors of specialty chemicals, plastic raw materials and ingredients in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, said the company.

The acquisition significantly expands Azelis’ footprint and accelerates its growth in Asia Pacific. The addition of Chemiplas’ attractive portfolio of products from key principals strategically complements the group’s lateral value chain, strengthening market coverage and formulation expertise. This allows the group to provide even more innovative solutions to customers, thereby reinforcing its position in Australia and New Zealand.

Founded in 1976, Chemiplas’ strong network is supported by long-standing partnerships with over 200 global, regional and local strategic principals. Chemiplas employs more than 100 staff, including an experienced and dedicated sales team, serving a substantial customer base of over 1,900 companies from its headquarters in Auckland and six other offices across Australia and New Zealand. With two food application laboratories in Auckland and Melbourne, Chemiplas is well-placed to leverage an extensive product portfolio and provide innovative solutions to customers. Chemiplas’ management team and employees will become part of the Azelis family, supporting the business and integration process. The transaction is expected to close before the end of the first quarter of 2023, after fulfilment of customary closing conditions.

As per MRC, Azelis, a leading global innovation service provider in the specialty chemicals and food ingredients industry, announces that it has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Chemical Solutions Sdn Bhd (“ChemSol”), one of the leading distributors of raw materials in the Personal Care, Cosmetics and Household markets in Malaysia.

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