Chemical Industry News Round-up: October, 2023

Welcome to the Chemical Industry News Round-up, a weekly newsletter by Axiom Chemicals India Pvt. Ltd that brings you the latest and most relevant news from the chemical industry. In this edition, we will cover some of the major developments that happened in the past week, such as Solvay’s decision to reduce its soda ash production capacity, BASF’s celebration of its ecoflex biopolymer’s 25th birthday, and Repsol’s launch of its renewable hydrogen project. Let’s get right into it!

Solvay to reduce the production capacity of its Torrelavega plant by 300 kilotons per annum

Solvay, a global leader in specialty chemicals, announced that it will reduce the production capacity of its Torrelavega plant in Spain by 300 kilotons per annum, as part of its strategy to optimize its soda ash and bicarbonate portfolio. The decision will affect about 200 employees and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Soda ash, also known as sodium carbonate, is a key ingredient for the production of glass, detergents, and other industrial applications. Bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is used for food, pharmaceuticals, and environmental purposes. Solvay said that it will continue to serve its customers in Europe and other regions with its remaining production capacity of 2.4 million tons per annum.

The move is aimed at improving the profitability and competitiveness of Solvay’s soda ash and bicarbonate business, which has been facing challenges due to overcapacity, low prices, and high energy costs in Europe. Solvay said that it will focus on developing its specialty grades of soda ash and bicarbonate, which offer higher margins and growth potential.

Solvay is one of the world’s largest producers of soda ash and bicarbonate, with 12 plants across four continents. The company employs about 3,000 people in this business segment and generated revenues of €1.3 billion in 2022.

BASF celebrates 25th birthday of world’s first PBAT biopolymer ‘ecoflex’

BASF, the world’s largest chemical producer, celebrated the 25th anniversary of its ecoflex product, the world’s first polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) biopolymer. Ecoflex is a biodegradable and compostable polymer that can be used for various applications such as packaging, agriculture, hygiene and medical.

Ecoflex was launched in 1998 as a pioneering product that combined the properties of conventional plastics with the benefits of biodegradability. Ecoflex can be processed on standard plastic machinery and can be blended with other biopolymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) or starch to create tailor-made solutions for different needs. Ecoflex can also be recycled or composted according to international standards.

BASF said that ecoflex has helped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and plastic waste, and has contributed to the development of the circular economy. Ecoflex is used by many customers around the world for products such as coffee capsules, mulch films, diaper backsheets, shopping bags, and disposable cutlery.

BASF is one of the leading suppliers of biodegradable and compostable polymers, with a portfolio that includes ecoflex, ecovio (a blend of ecoflex and PLA), and biomass balance products (which use renewable feedstocks instead of fossil fuels). BASF produces these products at its sites in Ludwigshafen (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), and Ulsan (South Korea).

Repsol starts producing renewable hydrogen at Petronor

Repsol, a Spanish energy company, announced that it has started producing renewable hydrogen at its Petronor refinery in Bilbao, Spain. The project involves the installation of a 10-megawatt (MW) electrolyzer that uses renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen will be used to produce low-carbon fuels at the refinery, while the oxygen will be supplied to a nearby steel plant.

The project is part of Repsol’s ambition to become a net-zero emissions company by 2050 and to lead the energy transition in Spain. Repsol said that this is the first industrial-scale renewable hydrogen project in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. The project is supported by the European Commission’s Innovation Fund and the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition.

Repsol plans to expand its renewable hydrogen production capacity to 400 MW by 2025 and to 1.2 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. Repsol also aims to produce synthetic fuels from renewable hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide (CO2), which can be used as drop-in replacements for conventional fuels without modifying engines or infrastructure.

Repsol is one of the largest energy companies in Spain and operates in over 30 countries. The company has a diversified portfolio of oil, gas, electricity, and renewable energy assets, and employs about 24,000 people worldwide.

Axiom Chemicals Pvt Ltd: Your Trusted Partner for Specialty Chemicals

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