BASF is launching low-carbon footprint insulation product

MOSCOW (MRC) -- 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.

mrchub.com

MOSCOW (MRC) -- 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.

mrchub.com

MOSCOW (MRC) -- 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.

mrchub.com

MOSCOW (MRC) -- United announced its USD15 mln investment in carbon capture technology company Svante, who provides materials and technology as part of the value chain that has the potential to convert CO2 removed from the atmosphere and from industrial emission sources into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

This is the latest announced investment from the new UAV Sustainable Flight FundSM, a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle that is designed to leverage support from cross-industry businesses in order to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel through SAF research, technology and production.

The airline aims to be 100% green by reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 100% by 2050, without relying on traditional carbon offsets. To date, United has invested in the future production of over three billion gallons of SAF - the most of any airline in the world.

"Carbon capture technology has the potential to be a critical solution in the fight to stop climate change and has the added benefit of helping us scale the production of SAF," said United CEO Scott Kirby. "And at United we're building on that approach by investing in both companies that can capture CO2 and others that can turn it into fuel. There's no question that this carbon utilization is in its infancy today, but as a leader in sustainable flying we must help build the foundation to deploy this technology of the future as expediently as possible. This is truly a global imperative, and United's investment in Svante reflects our dedication to making sustainable travel a reality."

This investment was made as part of Svante's Series E financing round and will fund and support Svante's commercial-scale filter manufacturing facility in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Svante is working with world-leading organizations, including Dimensional Energy, a carbon utilization – CO2 to jet fuel – company that United Airlines Ventures invested in last year.

We remind, CNOOC and Shell Petrochemicals Company Ltd (CSPC), a joint venture established by China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) and Royal Dutch Shell, signed a framework agreement worth USD5.6-bn with China’s Huizhou city government to expand its ethylene project in the city. CSPC is expected to add 1.5 million tons per annum ethylene production capacity on top of its existed 2.2 million tons in Huizhou, according to a statement issued by CNOOC on Sunday night.

mrchub.com

MOSCOW (MRC) -- GPCA Chairman Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh has been confirmed as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Member of the Board of SABIC effective March 21, said the company.

Prior to this, Al-Fageeh served as acting CEO since 28 September 2022, succeeding H.E. Yousef Al-Benyan, former CEO of SABIC and former Chairman of GPCA (2016-2022), who was appointed Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Education by a Royal Decree.

Commenting on the appointment Khalid Hashim Al-Dabbagh, Chairman of SABIC’s Board of Directors, said: “Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh is a proven leader, demonstrated during his long tenure at Sabic. He is well-positioned to continue driving sustainable growth for our customers, employees, shareholders and communities."

“The future remains bright for Sabic, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the chemicals industry as we continue to innovate and expand in order to meet the needs of our ever-changing world. The Board of Directors is confident in Sabic’s ability to continue to realize its vision to be the preferred world leader in chemicals,” he added. Al-Fageeh joined Sabic more than 35 years ago and has held several key leadership posts within the company. In addition to his role as acting CEO, Al-Fageeh led Sabic’s largest business as Executive Vice President, Petrochemicals since its creation in October of 2016.

The GPCA Board of Directors elected Abdulrahman S. Al-Fageeh as the Association’s new Chairman in October. With over 35 years of industry experience, Al-Fageeh has extensive expertise in project management, plant operations and corporate and business management. He first joined SABIC as Project Engineer and worked in different roles before assuming the role of acting CEO. He served as Executive Vice President Petrochemicals for more than seven years, overseeing SABIC’s petrochemical business globally.

Al-Fageeh was also the Executive Vice President for Polymers, Executive Vice President, Performance Chemicals; Vice President, Global LL/LD Polyethylene Business; General Manager, Operations & Planning, Basic Chemicals Strategic Business Unit; and General Manager Oxygenates.

He was the first President of the Yanbu National Petrochemical Company (YANSAB); and served as Chairman of several SABIC affiliates including IBN SINA, SAMAC, SADAF, PETROKEMYA, and more. Al-Fageeh has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Bradford University, UK, and a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from King Saud University, Riyadh.

We remind, SABIC participated in a ceremony to announce the first package of Shareek projects involving large companies in Saudi Arabia, said the company. The event was held in the presence of several dignitaries, senior businessmen and heads of major companies participating in the program.

mrchub.com