HPCL signs MOU with BPCL for Hydrogen Synergy

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between HPCL Mumbai Refinery and BPCL Mumbai Refinery as part of synergy through Purchase and Sale of Hydrogen at a signing ceremony held recently, said Polymerupdate.

Hydrogen is an essential utility required for Hydro treating / Hydro processing of HSD and MS streams to produce HSD and MS specifications as per Bharat Stage VI norms and is vital for reliable and safe refinery operations.

This MoU is one-of-a-kind strategic partnership between two OMCs as a part of synergy for mutual aid during emergencies and towards environmental impact by minimizing valuable hydrogen flaring. This initiative envisages cooperation and collaboration as part of synergy in the areas of hydrogen exchange between both Refineries for sustained refinery operations and uninterrupted product availability.

The MoU was signed by Shri Vijay S Agashe, Executive Director - HPCL Mumbai Refinery and Shri Subramoni Iyer, Executive Director - BPCL Mumbai Refinery, in presence of senior Officials from HPCL and BPCL Refineries.

We remind, Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) plans to start its 9-MMtpy Barmer refinery and petrochemical project in Rajasthan state by January 2024. India, the third biggest oil importer, is expanding refining capacity to meet rising demand for fuel and petrochemical to power economic expansion. India's per capita petrochemical consumption is about a third of the global average.

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Toyobo Co., Ltd. has been selected as a Supplier Engagement Leader – the highest ranking – in CDP’s1 Supplier Engagement Rating assessment for the second consecutive year. CDP is a British not-for-profit organization that runs a global disclosure system on supply chain environmental impacts, said Polymerupdate.

CDP’s Supplier Engagement Rating assessment evaluates a company’s engagement with itssupply chain on climate change issues, based on its answers to a questionnaire on governance, targets, scope 3 emissions*2 and supply chain engagement. In 2022, CDP selected the top eight percent of 653 companies, including 131 Japanese firms, as Supplier Engagement Leaders.

Toyobo believes CDP highly evaluated its endeavors in partnership with suppliers and clients to reduce environmental impacts and promote resource circulation in the entire corporate supply chain. Toyobo is making these efforts based on the Toyobo Group Fundamental Policy on the Global Environment and CSR Procurement Guidelines.

Recognizing climate change as a major risk to its business operations, the Toyobo Group will spearhead undertakings to address climate change together with its stakeholders. Also, as stated in Sustainable Vision 2030*3, its long-term vision unveiled on May 26, 2022, the group commits itself to contributing to realizing a “decarbonized and circular society” throughout the corporate supply chain by providing its own products and solutions.

We remind, Toyobo Co., Ltd. has agreed to set up a joint venture firm to produce yarns for automobile airbags with Bangkok-based Indorama Polyester Industries PCL (IPI), which is under the umbrella of the world’s largest polyethylene terephthalate (PET) producer, Indorama Ventures PCL (IVL), as per Toyobo's press release.
The joint company plans to build a new plant on the IPI factory site in Rayong Province, Thailand, and start operations in 1st Quarter of 2022.

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In a UK industry first, energystore is launching a new low-carbon footprint insulation product range, energystore+, which is combining climate protection with high product quality. With these products, energystore will provide a significant opportunity for their customers to reduce the carbon footprint of their buildings, said the company.

In general, insulation of buildings, whether new construction or renovation, is essential for the reduction of carbon emissions. As a result, building owners can save energy and heating costs and gain comfort as houses are heating up faster and are staying warm for a longer time. In summer times, insulation helps to keep houses cool.

The energystore superbead+ system is an injected EPS foam bead designed for use in multiple cavity wall scenarios including masonry, party wall and timber frame. energystore TLA+ combines EPS foam beads coated in an innovative additive with cement to create a pourable insulation for use in floor and roof construction. Both energystore+ products are based on expandable polystyrene (EPS) granules Neopor® BMB, produced by BASF.

Connor McCandless, energystore Group Sales & Innovation Director, says “After working with BASF over the last 18 months on this project we’re thrilled to bring energystore+ to our customers. We believe that future construction projects need to reduce carbon emissions. The energystore+ range gives a fantastic option for our customers to make their next project as sustainable as possible."

We remind, BASF begins production of its first bio-based polyol, Sovermol, in Mangalore, India, said the company.
This product serves the fast-growing demand of eco-friendly products for applications in new energy vehicles (NEV), windmills, flooring and protective industrial coatings in Asia Pacific. Utilizing the existing facilities at BASF's Mangalore site, the Sovermol production facility is now operational after comprehensive planning and construction.

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Encina Development Group, a producer of ISCC+ circular chemicals from end-of-life plastics, announced a new recycling partnership with Shaw Industries Group, Inc., a global flooring manufacturer, said the company.

Under the agreement, Shaw will provide Encina with more than 2 million pounds of waste materials from its carpet manufacturing processes annually. Encina and Shaw Industries announce carpet waste recycling partnership (Photo: Business Wire).

This effort will reduce Shaw’s greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint while contributing to its long-standing sustainability commitment, which encompasses its Cradle to Cradle ® design programs that have been in place for more than 20 years. Nearly 90 percent of the products Shaw produces are Cradle to Cradle Certified ®, meaning they have been assessed for material health, product circularity, clean air and climate change, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness. The partnership will contribute to Shaw’s overall sustainability goals and commitment to reducing waste.

We remind, Shaw Industries Group, Inc. (Shaw) has enhanced its robust carpet reclamation and recycling program with the opening of its new Evergreen Ringgold facility, which can recycle nylon and polyester fiber. This investment of more than $20 million in carpet recycling illustrates the company’s continued commitment to converting what has historically been seen as waste into a resource.

Shaw Industries Group, Inc. supplies carpet, resilient, hardwood, laminate, tile and stone, synthetic turf, and other specialty products to residential and commercial markets worldwide.

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Qantas Airways Ltd and Airbus SE will jointly invest $1.34 MM in a biofuel refinery being set up in Australia's Queensland state that would convert agricultural by-products into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The funds will be used for a detailed feasibility study and early-stage development of the proposed facility jointly developed by Jet Zero Australia and SAF technology firm LanzaJet, Qantas said on Thursday. The refinery is expected to produce up to 100 million liters of SAF a year, with construction due to start next year.

SAF is a biofuel used to power aircraft that has similar properties to conventional jet fuel without the need to develop new planes or engines. It can be blended with conventional jet fuel and can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%.

The emissions are saved throughout the production process because the feedstocks used to make SAF, including agricultural residue and wood mill waste, have lower lifecycle emissions than conventional jet fuel. Qantas and Airbus last year set up a $200 MM fund to help meet Qantas' goal of using at least 10% of SAF in its fuel mix by 2030 after the airline placed a multibillion-dollar order for Airbus narrowbody and widebody planes.

The Queensland refinery is the fund's first investment. Due to the lack of a sustainable aviation fuel industry in Australia, Qantas now sources SAF at overseas airports, including 10 million liters for flights out of London in 2023 and 20 million liters for flights out of California from 2025. The airline is targeting 10% of its fuel from SAF by 2030 and 60% by 2050 to hit its target of net zero emissions by then.

We remind, Shell has decided not to go ahead with two projects it was studying to produce biofuels and base oils in Singapore. Shell announced in late 2021 that it was studying a 550,000 tons per year project (tpy) at Singapore's Bukom Island to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to supply major Asian hubs such as Hong Kong International Airport and Singapore's Changi.

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