Evonik launches PlasCO2 project for C4 chemicals production

Evonik launches PlasCO2 project for C4 chemicals production

Evonik has launched the PlasCO2 project together with three partners, said the company.

The aim is to use carbon dioxide (CO2) as a raw material in the production of C4 chemicals. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the project with more than €1.8 million. PlasCO2 stands for 'Plasma-induced generation of carbon monoxide from carbon dioxide and its chemical utilization'.

The researchers are working on extracting synthesis gas from carbon dioxide and hydrogen by means of a plasma reactor using a newly developed process. The synthesis gas obtained in this way can then be used for the production of chemical products.

"If we succeed in generating carbon dioxide as a raw material, we would not only make a significant contribution to reducing our carbon footprint, but we would also open up a completely new world of chemistry," said Professor Dr. Robert Franke, head of hydroformylation research at Evonik Performance Intermediates and coordinator of the PlasCO2 project.

The project consortium, which is coordinated by Evonik, consists of four partners. It thus brings together all competencies, from catalysis and plasma research to plant engineering. In addition to Evonik, the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT), the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Research (INP), and Rafflenbeul Anlagen Bau GmbH are also involved.

Sustainability is a key driver of the venture. At the heart of the project is the conversion of carbon dioxide with hydrogen to carbon monoxide. Low-temperature plasmas are to be used as a novel energy source, which require little energy and thus activate the inert carbon particularly efficiently.

To generate these plasmas, the research group wants to develop a new kind of reactor, that can be operated with renewable energy sources. Later, these should be widely deployable and commercializable. The synthesis gas generated in this way can be used to produce organic compounds in C4 chemistry. These can in turn be used to produce plasticizers or petrochemical specialties, for example.

Evonik will begin with basic research, initially carrying out evaluations of eco-efficiency and economic viability as well as quantum chemical calculations. The plasma reactors used have so far been used for the purification of exhaust gas. Evonik is continuing to work on their development so that, probably after about four years, a pilot plant can be built that creates the plasma with renewable resources.

We remind, Evonik is pooling its expertise and integrating its alkoxides business into the Catalysts Business Line. The extensive portfolio of heterogeneous catalysts is thus now complemented by homogeneous catalysts. An international network of production sites and the highly experienced alkoxides team will additionally strengthen the Catalysts Business Line, one of Evonik's growth areas, from January 2023.

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Honeywell reported a challenging Q4

Honeywell reported a challenging Q4

Honeywell announced the financial results of its Honeywell Building Technologies segment for 4Q and full year 2022, said the company.

Honeywell Building Technologies sales for 4Q 2022 were up 15% on an organic basis year over year with strength in both building products and building solutions. Building products sales increased 21% organically, primarily driven by increased sales of fire products and building management systems.

Project sales grew double digits organically for the third consecutive quarter, leading the growth in building solutions. Segment margin expanded 370 basis points to 24.8% due to commercial excellence, partially offset by cost inflation.

Sales reached USD6000 M in FY 2022, compared to USD5539 M in FY 2021. Segment profit amounted to USD1439 M, compared to USD1238 M. Sales reached USD1514 M in 4Q 2022, compared to USD1404 M in 4Q 2021. Segment profit amounted to USD375 M, compared to USD296 M.

We remind, Turkey’s Sasa Polyester has announced a licensing deal with Honeywell UOP for a 1m tonne/year propylene production plant based on propane dehydrogenation (PDH) technology. The agreement also covered technical service and warranty aspects of the USD1.5bn project to be constructed in the Yumurtalik investment area in Turkey’s southern province of Adana, Sasa added, when filing details of the deal with the Istanbul Stock Exchange. Sasa said that it expected the contribution of the planned investment to its turnover would be USD1.2bn.

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PTT Global Chemical proceeds with the dissolution of phenol and GCO as part of restruction plan

PTT Global Chemical proceeds with the dissolution of phenol and GCO as part of restruction plan

PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited announced that it will proceed with the dissolution of two subsidiaries after the acquisition of entire businesses as part of the business restructuring plan, said the company.

PTTGC cited its statement disclosed to the Thai stock market on July 4, 2022 stated that the company’s Board of Directors held on December 13, 2021 had the resolution to approve to acquire the entire or part of business and the dissolution of the company’s subsidiaries which the group business restructuring will better support the company’s long-term strategy including the business expansion internationally, sales and development of High Value Products, enhancing the company’s governance efficiency of group of companies both domestically and internationally, and also support the company’s Sustainability strategy.

The company noted that the acquisition of the entire business of PTT Phenol Co.,Ltd. (Phenol) and GC Oxirane Co.,Ltd. (GCO) by the company was part of the business restructuring plan which was effective under the law on February 1, 2023 and the company will further proceed with the dissolution of Phenol and GCO.

As per MRC, PTT Global Chemical America announced plans to build a new plastics recycling facility in central Ohio.
PTTGCA, the company that has proposed construction of an ethane cracker plant in Belmont County, and the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to locate a new recycling complex on SWACO property.
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OMV chemicals, materials Q4 operating profit decreased

OMV chemicals, materials Q4 operating profit decreased

OMV’s fourth-quarter (Q4) clean operating result for its Chemicals & Materials division sank 89%, year on year, to EUR57m on weaker margins and demand, said the company.

A stronger result contribution from OMV base chemicals was more than offset by substantial negative inventory valuation effects in the nitrogen and polyolefins business, a strong decline in polyolefin indicator margins in Europe, lower sales volumes in Europe, and a lower contribution from the Borealis joint ventures (JV), OMV said.

The contribution of Borealis excluding JV dropped sharply by EUR360m to minus EUR23m versus EUR337m in Q4 of 2021.

Results were weighed by negative inventory valuation effects that were around EUR200m lower compared to Q4 of 2021, lower polyolefin indicator margins compared to the strong levels of the final quarter of the previous year, and lower polyolefin sales volumes in Europe, said OMV.

The contribution of the Borealis JVs decreased by EUR119m to EUR19m versus EUR138m in Q4 of 2021, mainly due to a negative contribution from its Baystar JV with Total in the US as well as a lower contribution from Abu Dhabi’s polymers complex Borouge, OMV said.

PE sales volumes from Borealis’ JVs decreased by 6%, while polypropylene (PP) sales volumes from JV grew by 33%.

Compared to Q4 2021, sales volumes at Borouge grew, with PP sales volumes in particular benefiting greatly from the full ramp-up of the new PP unit (PP5).

We remind, OMV has announced its new corporate structure, designed to fully enable the delivery of Strategy 2030. OMV’s new strategy evolves around its long-term goal of becoming a net-zero company by 2050 at the latest and driving its transition towards becoming a leading integrated sustainable fuels, chemicals and materials company. At the same time, OMV is striving to become a global leader in circular economy solutions and will also build a low-carbon business in the energy sector, which includes geothermal energy and carbon capture and storage (CCS) in particular.

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Russian energy minister sees no reason to reduce petroleum products output

Russian energy minister sees no reason to reduce petroleum products output

Russian energy minister Nikolai Shulginov said there was no reason for a sharp reduction in the country's petroleum products output in response to a European Union embargo, said Hyrocarbonprocessing.

Interfax cited Shulginov as saying that Russia was not considering rescheduling maintenance works at refineries because of the embargo and that the price of Russian gas supplies to Belarus in 2023 would remain at the same level set in 2022.

We remind, Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country, increased oil exports that bypassed Russia last year, but was still heavily reliant on supply channels via its neighbor, Reuters calculations based on industry data and sources show. Kazakhstan has sought ways to decrease its dependence on Russian exporting routes as it has often faced difficulties in selling oil through Russia.

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