DG Fuels selects Emerson to support sustainable biofuels production

MRC -- Emerson, a leader in industrial software and technology, has been chosen by DG Fuels to provide comprehensive automation and project engineering to help transportation sector decarbonization efforts through production of advanced biofuels, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

To help address the more than 25% of global emissions caused by transportation, DG Fuels’ mission is to provide “drop in” cellulosic sustainable aviation fuels at scale, then expand into renewable or green diesel fuels. Its advanced conversion process creates fuels that can be used in existing aviation and vehicle engines, achieving three times greater yield from biomass feedstock when compared to traditional biofuels production processes.

“Technology and innovation are the foundation of bringing our innovative fuels conversion process to scale,” said Michael Darcy, DG Fuels CEO. “Partnering with Emerson for its project expertise and automation portfolio gives us confidence in achieving our bold vision of being a global leader in synthetic jet and diesel fuel production.”

Chosen for its deep automation project engineering and execution, backed by the industry’s most comprehensive automation portfolio, Emerson will provide DG Fuels with a suite of advanced sensing, control, systems, equipment monitoring and production optimization technologies and software that enable safe, reliable and sustainable production.

“Sustainable aviation fuel is a critical step in the energy transition of the transportation sector,” said Mike Train, Emerson’s chief sustainability officer. “Meaningful progress will require innovative solutions across multiple sources of energy. We look forward to supporting DG Fuels’ mission of creating high-yield, high-quality biomass-derived fuels at scale.”

DG Fuels’ previously announced agreements with aviation leaders for sustainable aviation fuels development and supply include Air France KLM, Delta, Airbus and GE Aviation.

We remind, LyondellBasell along with the Plastics Industry Association announced the use of the equivalent of 520,000 plastic retail bags to pave 4,875 square yards of parking lot at the Louisiana Integrated PolyEthylene JV LLC. The project utilized 8,000 pounds of LyondellBasell CirculenRecover polymers, made from plastic waste using a mechanical recycling process. The asphalt project is an example of LyondellBasell’s commitment to end plastic waste in the environment that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerated.

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MRC -- Japan-based Asahi Kasei's net profit fell by 40% year on year to Yen 30.8 bn in 1H FY 2023 (ended Sep 2023), partly due to demand weakness in China, said the company.

The company's basic materials business performed better than prediction, recording an operating profit of Yen 17.7 bn and sales of Yen 610.2 bn.

Asahi Kasei Corporation has released its summary of consolidated results for 1Q and 2Q FY 2023 (1 Apr-30 Sep 2023). For the 1Q-2Q 2023, operating results are as follows: net sales [Yen 1,345,924 M (-0.4%)], operating income [Yen 55,887 M (-34.9%)], ordinary income Yen [52,049 M (-39.8%)], net income attributable to owners of the parent [Yen 30,841 M (-40.4%)], and net income per share of Yen 22.25.

Financial position at end of Sep 2023: total assets (Yen 3,618,418 M), net assets (Yen 1,847,598 M), net worth/total assets (50.0%), and net worth per share of Yen 1306.44.

We remind, Asahimas Chemical, a prominent subsidiary of the renowned Japanese petrochemical giant Asahi Glass, has successfully concluded comprehensive repair operations on Vinyl Chloride Line 3 at its facility in Cilegon, Indonesia. The facility, boasting an impressive annual capacity of 400 thousand tons of Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM), underwent meticulous repair activities aimed at addressing operational challenges. Despite the successful removal of coke and the subsequent restart of VCM Line 3, technical complexities have limited its current operational capacity to 90%. The precise timeline for achieving full operational restoration remains uncertain.

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MRC -- LyondellBasell along with the Plastics Industry Association announced the use of the equivalent of 520,000 plastic retail bags to pave 4,875 square yards of parking lot at the Louisiana Integrated PolyEthylene JV LLC, said the company.

The project utilized 8,000 pounds of LyondellBasell CirculenRecover polymers, made from plastic waste using a mechanical recycling process. The asphalt project is an example of LyondellBasell’s commitment to end plastic waste in the environment that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerated.

“LyondellBasell continues to advance sustainability and fosters innovative solutions that will transform the plastics industry,” said Armando Lara, site manager of the Louisiana Integrated PolyEthylene JV Site. “Projects like this are exciting testaments to the capabilities we have to reuse products through recycling that would otherwise go to waste.”

This is the second project LyondellBasell has completed with PLASTICS to reuse recycled polymers in paving projects at manufacturing facilities that we own and operate.

“With the completion of their second plastic to asphalt project, LyondellBasell is demonstrating true leadership and commitment to ending plastic waste in the environment. The Plastic to Asphalt program continues to grow as companies choose to substitute traditional paving methods, which utilize fossil fuels, for the use of recycled polymer technologies. The projects showcase the versatility of recycled polymers and their use in diverse applications, such as construction and building projects,” said PLASTICS’ Vice President of Sustainability, Patrick Krieger.

In June of 2020, PLASTICS announced the completion of research on a new formulation of asphalt binder using the “Dry Process.” This formulation offers many of the same benefits of traditional polymer-modified asphalt, including improved strength properties, and increased lifespan, at a decreased cost.

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MRC -- Nova Chemicals recently announced the termination of force majeure on the supply of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to Moore in Sarnia, Ontario, said Chemanalyst.

This decision comes after the force majeure was initially declared on September 14, citing an unplanned power outage at the Corunne ethylene plant in the Sarnia region of Ontario. The Corunne facility serves as a crucial supplier of ethylene to Nova Chemicals' polyethylene production facilities in the same region.

The Corunne ethylene plant's unforeseen power outage prompted the force majeure declaration, impacting the production and supply chain of HDPE. Nova Chemicals, a major player in the industry, took this step to address the challenges posed by the disruption in ethylene supply, which is a key component in the HDPE manufacturing process.

The Sarnia site, where Nova Chemicals produces HDPE, has a substantial annual production capacity, capable of manufacturing 457,000 tonnes of HDPE and 220,000 tonnes of LDPE. The lifting of force majeure is anticipated to bring relief to the HDPE supply chain and alleviate the strain caused by the earlier disruptions.

This force majeure event wasn't the only challenge Nova Chemicals faced in recent times. Earlier reports indicated that the company had also declared force majeure concerning the supply of ethylene, attributing it to an unplanned shutdown of the cracking plant in Joffre, located in Alberta, Canada. The Joffre cracking plant plays a pivotal role in Nova Chemicals' overall ethylene production, with an annual capacity of 745,000 tonnes of ethylene and 50,000 tonnes of propylene.

The termination of force majeure for HDPE in Moore signifies a positive development for Nova Chemicals and the broader industry. HDPE is a widely used polymer with applications across various sectors, and any disruption in its supply chain can have cascading effects on downstream industries.

In the context of the global polyethylene landscape, the United States stands as a major hub for production. Key players in the U.S. polyethylene market include Chevron Phillips Chemical (CP Chem), Dow, LyondellBasell, ExxonMobil, Formosa, INEOS, Total Petrochemicals, and Westlake. These industry giants play a pivotal role in meeting the escalating demand for polyethylene and its derivatives.

Nova Chemicals' decision to lift force majeure on HDPE supplies in Moore, Sarnia, is a significant development with wide-reaching implications for the industry. As a critical player in the production of polyethylene, Nova Chemicals' ability to resume normal operations will contribute to stabilizing the HDPE supply chain. The broader trends in increased polyethylene consumption underscore the importance of a steady and reliable supply chain in meeting the growing demand for these essential materials. The dynamics of force majeure events and their resolution highlight the intricate interdependencies within the polymer industry, where disruptions necessitate prompt and strategic responses to maintain the integrity of the supply chain.

We remind, Greiner Packaging has successfully manufactured trays using 70% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) for the renowned Austrian beverage company, Rauch Fruchtsafte. This environmentally conscious initiative by Greiner involves the utilization of material sourced from 'yellow bags' to create these innovative and sustainable beverage trays. Throughout the project, the viability of generating r-PET flakes from post-consumer material was demonstrated through a meticulous process involving pre- and post-sorting, followed by shredding and washing.

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MRC -- Asahimas Chemical, a prominent subsidiary of the renowned Japanese petrochemical giant Asahi Glass, has successfully concluded comprehensive repair operations on Vinyl Chloride Line 3 at its facility in Cilegon, Indonesia, said Chemanalyst.

The facility, boasting an impressive annual capacity of 400 thousand tons of Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM), underwent meticulous repair activities aimed at addressing operational challenges. Despite the successful removal of coke and the subsequent restart of VCM Line 3, technical complexities have limited its current operational capacity to 90%. The precise timeline for achieving full operational restoration remains uncertain.

In a preceding instance, Asahimas Chemical, a pivotal subsidiary under the Asahi Glass umbrella, finalized repair work on Line No. 2, dedicated to the production of vinyl chloride (VCM) in Cilegon, Indonesia. This particular facility, equipped with a production capacity of 300 thousand tons of VCM annually, underwent extensive repair activities spanning from late July to September 10.

Vinyl chloride, a fundamental raw material in the chemical industry, plays a pivotal role as the primary precursor for the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC, a versatile plastic material widely employed in various applications, relies on the stable and efficient production of vinyl chloride for its manufacturing processes.

The petrochemical landscape's intricacies extend beyond Asahimas Chemical's repair endeavors, with market dynamics influencing the global consumption of polyvinyl chloride. Russia witnessed an estimated consumption of 635.71 thousand tons of unmixed PVC (excluding exports to Belarus) during the initial eight months of the year. This figure reflects a 2% decrease compared to the corresponding period in 2022. Notably, within this market panorama, the emulsion PVC sector reported a 4% increase in shipments, while the slurry PVC market experienced a 2% decrease.

Asahi Glass maintains a commanding interest in Asahimas Chemical, ensuring a strategic alignment with its broader corporate goals. Additionally, the ownership structure includes significant stakes held by key entities such as Rodamas (18%), Ableman Finance (18%), and Mitsubishi Corp. (11.5%). This diversified ownership framework underscores collaborative partnerships within the petrochemical industry, emphasizing a collective and cooperative approach to industry endeavors.

The successful completion of repairs at Asahimas Chemical's facilities not only showcases technical proficiency but also underscores the resilience and adaptability required in the petrochemical sector. As the industry grapples with operational challenges, strategic repairs become imperative to ensure the sustained and efficient production of critical chemical components such as vinyl chloride. The collaborative ownership structure further positions Asahimas Chemical as an integral player in the intricate web of partnerships that drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability within the petrochemical landscape.

We remind, Asahi Kasei announced Tongsuh Petrochemical Corp., Ltd. (TSPC) acquired the international certification ISCC PLUS for its acrylonitrile (AN) as a sustainable product, and production of AN using biomass propylene is scheduled to begin in February 2022.

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