Nobian obtains approval for continuation of salt extraction in Netherlands

Nobian BV (Amersfoort, Netherlands) said in a statement Oct. 8 that the Dutch Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG) has definitively approved the extension of the existing salt extraction from the eight caverns at Zuidwending until Dec. 31, 2035, as per Chemweek.

This means Nobian is given permission to continue salt extraction from the eight caverns until that date, it said.

An extension of the existing salt extraction at Zuidwending contributes to a stable transition to new salt extraction locations that are yet to be developed, the company said, adding that the extension of the current salt production guarantees the supply of salt to the chemical parks at Delfzijl and Rotterdam after 2025.

This salt is important to produce substances such as chlorine and caustic soda, Nobian said. These substances are used in everyday products, including medicines, aluminum, LED lamps, batteries and parts for wind turbines, it said.

Part of the permit conditions is that Nobian will carry out studies into the closure of the caverns after the extraction has ended, the company said.

“Based on international scientific studies by the Cavern Closure Consortium [CCC], it appears that hard closure of large caverns in the province of Groningen is possible, the company noted. In order to be able to test these research results in practice, field tests will be carried out in due course,” Nobian said.

Another condition of the permit is that Nobian conducts additional studies into alternative termination methods, the company added. A plan of action for these studies will be submitted to the ministry within nine months, Nobian said.

“Together with the existing insights and the results of these studies, a plan for the safe and responsible closure of the caverns will be drawn up within five years,” the company said.

mrchub.com

Sozio (Levallois-Perret, France), a provider of fragrance products, has launched Sozio Fragrances India Pvt. Ltd. The new venture includes a research and creation center at Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra State, alongside a production facility in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, as per Chemweek.

The establishment of these sites aligns with Sozio’s ambition to enhance its proximity to customers in South Asia and cater to the increasing demand for sustainable and locally adapted fragrances in the Indian market.

The company said that the Navi Mumbai center is designed to integrate three essential units: a creation laboratory for perfumers, an application lab for cosmetics and home care, and an analytical lab. This hub is built to Sozio’s international standards, aiming to foster local creativity and collaboration with Indian brands.

It will focus on developing tailor-made olfactory solutions that emphasize natural ingredients, while also serving as a training and collaboration space for local teams and clients. This initiative also supports Sozio’s global talent development program, ensuring a continuous flow of expertise and creativity.

The Ahmedabad production facility spans 1,600 square meters and is equipped with an art blending, weighing and packaging unit, along with an onsite quality control laboratory featuring advanced equipment. This site will play a crucial role in meeting the production needs of the region, the company said.

With these two new locations, Sozio is positioning India as a central hub for fragrance creation and production that will serve not only the Indian market but also the broader regions of the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The company delivers tailor-made fragrances for the fine fragrance, personal care, home care and air care markets.

mrchub.com

Kuraray Co. Ltd. (Tokyo) has announced that its affiliate, Kuraray Holdings U.S.A. Inc. (Houston), has entered into a 10-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) starting in October 2025, as per Chemweek.

This initiative, facilitated through Tokyo Gas America Ltd., a subsidiary of Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd., aims to shift Kuraray's energy consumption toward renewable sources in the US.

The VPPA will support a solar power project owned by Tokyo Gas America at Wharton, which is expected to provide renewable energy certificates equivalent to 300 GWh annually.

This move is anticipated to reduce Kuraray’s greenhouse gas emissions in the US by approximately 70% and decrease the entire group’s electricity usage by around 40%.

Kuraray has identified climate change countermeasures as a key priority, with a commitment to achieving carbon net-zero (Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions) by 2050. In alignment with this goal, the company has set an ambitious emissions reduction target of 63% by 2035 compared to 2021 levels.

To achieve these objectives, Kuraray plans to implement a series of self-driven measures aimed at reducing emissions. These measures include transitioning to renewable electricity across the organization, enhancing energy conservation and efficiency at production facilities, switching to natural gas for in-house power generation, and establishing carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies.

Kuraray said it will collaborate with its suppliers to promote the transition to utility fuels derived from new, clean energy sources.

mrchub.com

Genomatica Inc. (Geno; San Diego, California) and Sojitz Corp. (Tokyo) have partnered to commercialize biobased nylon-6, as per Chemweek.

“Sojitz has made a strategic financial investment to accelerate time-to-market, while also contributing its commercial and business expertise,” the two companies stated in an Oct. 7 press release. “Geno will seek to collaboratively establish a consortium of industry leaders focused on creating a separate entity for the flagship commercial plant with Sojitz.”

Geno developed the underlying technology for producing feedstock caprolactam by fermentation. In 2018, the company partnered with nylon-6 producer Aquafil (Arco, Italy) to build a demonstration-scale biobased nylon-6 plant at an Aquafil site in Slovenia. In 2022, Geno and Aquafil announced the first demonstration-scale production runs.

Geno licensed its fermentation-based technology for the production of 1,4-butanediol (BDO) to Qore (Eddyville, Iowa), a joint venture between Cargill and Helm. In July, Qore said its $300-million, 66,000-metric tons per year bio-BDO plant in Edyville had begun operation.

mrchub.com

This week, PVC spot prices tumbled while contract prices remained constant in the European region, as per Polymerupdate.

An industry source in Europe informed a Polymerupdate team member, "The European PVC market experienced a downtrend in spite of a key derivative sector like construction witnessing a seasonal upswing. Market participants cited excess supplies, slowdown in material offtake, and a drop in feedstock rates as key factors weighing on the overall market conditions. General demand sentiments were weak, with material replenishment initiatives by customers experiencing a decelerated momentum. While output was held stable by producers in Europe, demand is unlikely to witness a rebound in the immediate future."

In the spot markets, FD North West Europe PVC prices were assessed at the Euro 815-825/mt levels, a week on week decline of Euro (-30/mt).

In the contract markets, PVC Suspension grade prices were assessed at the Euro 950-955/mt FD NWE Germany and FD NWE France levels, both unchanged from the previous week. PVC Suspension grade prices were assessed at the Euro 960-965/mt FD NWE Italy levels, stable from last week. Meanwhile, PVC prices were assessed at the GBP 825-830/mt FD NWE UK levels, a fall of GBP (-5/mt) week on week.

Meanwhile, feedstock EDC prices were assessed at the USD 100-110/mt FOB North West Europe levels, marginally up USD (+5/mt) from last week while VCM prices were assessed at the USD 485-495/mt FOB North West Europe levels, a rise of USD (+10/mt) from the previous week.

Ethylene spot prices on Thursday were assessed at the Euro 660-670/mt FD North West Europe levels, a week on week fall of Euro (-5/mt).

European ethylene contract price for October 2025 settled at the Euro 1130/MT FD North West Europe levels. This price represents a roll over from its September 2025 settlement levels.

mrchub.com