MOSCOW (MRC) -- Lanxess says it has developed a range of methylene di-para-phenylene isocyanate (MDI) polyether prepolymers containing renewable, bio-based raw materials that can replace existing fossil-based polyether prepolymers to manufacture highly durable polyurethane (PU) elastomers, said Chemweek.
The newly launched range of prepolymers allows PU processors to produce components with a reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint of 20-30%, depending on the processing system, it says. Depending on the targeted system hardness, the share of bio-based raw materials varies between 30-90%, it adds.
The bio-based prepolymer range is in line with Lanxess’ sustainability strategy to be climate neutral by 2040, it says.
As per MRC, Lanxess' net profits in the second quarter of 2020 were almost eight times higher than in the same period of the previous year, to EUR798 million (USD943 million). This is primarily due to the sale of its 40% stake in chemical park curator Currenta to Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets in April, which resulted in a disposal gain of EUR740 million. Sales declined 16.7% year on year, to EUR1.44 billion, due to weak demand across many industries and lower raw material prices, the company says. EBITDA and EBIT shrank by 23.8% and 57.3%, to EUR198 million and EUR61 million, respectively.
Russia's output of chemical products rose in June 2020 by 2.6% year on year. However, production of basic chemicals increased year on year by 4.9% in the first six months of 2020. According to the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation, polymers in primary form accounted for the greatest increase in the output in January-June. Production of benzene was 106,000 tonnes in June 2020, compared to 110,000 tonnes a month earlier. Overall output of this product reached 721,000 tonnes over the stated period, up by 3.9% year on year.
MRC