Borealis upgrades wastewater capture system for plastics at Schwechat, Austria

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Borealis says it has invested EUR6 million (USD7.1 million) in the upgrade of a wastewater treatment system at its integrated production facility in Schwechat, Austria, to further reduce the risk of plastics spillage or loss, said Chemweek.

The new filtration system, installed in November last year, is now fully operational and is part of the company’s sustainability measures to achieve zero plastic pellet loss throughout its operations and facilities, as well as across the entire supply chain. Regular internal monitoring of wastewater flows ensures that emissions always remain within stringent regulatory parameters, Borealis says. Borealis produces around 1 million metric tons/year of polyolefins at its Schwechat plant.

The company’s engineers worked with scientists from the Technische Universitat Wien (TU Wien) and Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria to find novel ways to measure the presence of plastic matter in wastewater, before proceeding to design and custom-build its own new systems for removing such matter. The system is able to filter a broad range of particle sizes of total suspended solids, from several millimeters down to extremely fine, low micrometer range, it says.

"The equipment is installed downstream from existing polymer separators and acts as an additional layer of protection,” Borealis says. Further learnings from the development and study of the filtration system will be leveraged at all its production locations to further improve operations, as well as across its whole value chain, it adds.

"The purification capabilities we had in place in Schwechat were already good, but the upgraded system boasts a level of sophistication that is leading in all of Europe’s plastics industry," says Borealis CEO Alfred Stern. “Innovating for more sustainable living together with our partners in science and making substantial investments in such upgrades enhances our operational excellence. We intend to deliver on our commitment to reducing plastics loss in order to achieve our "Goal Zero’ of no losses whatsoever."

As per MRC, OMV, the international integrated oil and gas company headquartered in Vienna and Mubadala Investment Company, the Abu Dhabi-based strategic investment company, completed the transaction for OMV to acquire an additional 39% stake in Borealis, a leading, global chemicals company, from Mubadala.

Furthermore, OMV and Borealis will jointly expand their know-how and activities in the plastics circular economy. Borealis’ activities in plastics recycling, through its subsidiaries EcoPlast (Austria) and mtm plastics (Germany), Project STOP (Ocean Waste) and the Design For Recycling (DFR) initiative are a perfect addition to OMV’s ReOil technology for the chemical recycling of post-consumer-plastic. The proprietary ReOil® technology converts hard-to-recycle plastic waste into high-quality feedstock for its refineries, substituting the need crude oil.

Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing PE and polypropylene (PP).

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 1,496,500 tonnes in the first eight months of 2020, up by 5% year on year. Shipments of all ethylene polymers increased, except for linear low desnity polyethylene (LLDPE). At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market reached 767,2900 tonnes in the eight months of 2020 (calculated using the formula - production minus exports plus imports - and not counting producers' inventories as of 1 January, 2020). Supply increased exclusively of PP random copolymer.
MRC

Lukoil eyes investment decisions on petchems project due in 2021

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russian energy major Lukoil (Moscow) is studying several potential petrochemical projects in Russia and Bulgaria, with investment decisions expected to be made on two of them in 2021, reported Chemweek.

Lukoil has signaled its intention previously to further diversify towards petrochemicals, with the company “still analyzing potential projects in the petrochemical industry,” says Lukoil’s Pavel Zhdanov, vice president/finance. “We have two projects for polypropylene (PP) production, at Nizhny Novgorod refinery (Kstovo, Russia) and at the Burgas refinery in Bulgaria,” says Zhdanov, speaking on 25 November during a briefing with analysts about the company’s third quarter results.

“As we mentioned on numerous occasions, Lukoil has a number of competitive advantages. We have experience in implementing major complex projects, we have a feedstock, and we can benefit from the infrastructure of the refineries to which these projects could be attached,” he says. “However, we’re still analyzing the risks and opportunities related to those rather long-haul projects.” Asked when an investment decision is likely to be made, Zhdanov said Lukoil is “expecting to have that decision next year.”

Lukoil announced an investment decision in June last year to proceed with a 500,000-metric tons/year PP plant at its Kstovo refinery. In September this year it selected Lummus Technology’s Novolen PP technology and basic design engineering for the facility’s production unit. Kstovo is one of Lukoil’s largest crude refineries in Russia with a throughput of 17 million metric tons/year, with the company recently adding a catalytic cracking unit that almost doubled the refinery’s production of propylene feedstock to 300,000 metric tons/year.

At Budennovsk in Russia’s far south west, the company’s Stavrolen petchems complex currently has the capacity to produce 350,000 metric tons/year of ethylene, 300,000 metric tons of polyethylene (PE), 120,000 metric tons/year of PP, and 80,000 metric tons of benzene. Lukoil has for several years been considering construction of a new gas chemicals plant at Stavrolen to crack more ethane extracted from associated petroleum gas produced by its oil and gas fields in the north of the Caspian Sea. The potential new plant would raise Stavrolen’s ethylene and PE output to around 600,000 metric tons/year each, and increase PP production to 200,000 metric tons/year.

Lukoil’s Neftohim Burgas refinery in Bulgaria, meanwhile, has a PP production capacity of 80,000 metric tons/year. Lukoil has been reported by local media as considering plans to raise its PP production capacity in Bulgaria to around 150,000 metric tons/year, with pre-front end engineering and design studies undertaken.

Lukoil produced 1.138 million metric tons of petrochemicals in 2019, with more than half produced at its Stavrolen complex.

Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 1,594,510 tonnes in the first nine months of 2020, up by 1% year on year. Only high denstiy polyethylene (HDPE) shipments increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market reached 880,130 tonnes in the nine months of 2020 (calculated using the formula: production minus exports plus imports, excluding producers' inventories as of 1 January, 2020). Supply increased exclusively of PP random copolymer.

Lukoil is one of the leading vertically integrated oil companies in Russia. The main activities of the company include exploration and production of oil and gas, production and sale of petroleum products. Lukoil is the second largest privately-owned oil company in the world in terms of proven hydrocarbon reserves. Lukoil's production capacities include polyethylene polypropylene. The structure of Lukoil includes one of the largest petrochemical plant in Russia - Stavrolen.
MRC

Flugger to acquire 70% of Sweden-based paints manufacturer

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Flugger (Rodovre, Denmark) says it has agreed to buy 70% of Eskaro Group (Gothenburg, Sweden), a company that makes paint and related products with operations in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, and Finland, said Chemweek.

The acquisition is awaiting approval by the competition authorities, which is expected to be granted in early 2021, the company says. Flugger has five factories across three countries, producing tools, paint, and designer wallpaper, and it owns 60% of the almost 400 stores in a retail chain in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and China that markets these products.

Flugger will own 70% of Eskaro, following the completion of the acquisition and the remaining 30% will be owned by Eskaro’s co-founder Igor Chumakov, the company says. Chumankov will be in charge of Eskaro’s day-to-day operation and management, and develop the company’s short- and long-term business plans in cooperation with Flugger’s management, it says.

"Eskaro has created a solid platform in Eastern Europe, which we believe has potential for further profitable growth. The company has grown by 15% annually since 2016, and we expect to be able to utilize significant synergies between Flugger and Eskaro over the coming years. With the acquisition of the Polish company Unicell in November 2019, we significantly strengthened our position in the Polish DIY market, and now we’re doing the same in large parts of Eastern Europe with the acquisition of Eskaro, which has a leading position in water-based decorative paints," says Jimmi Mortensen, CEO of Flugger.

Eskaro employs about 1,100 people and generates annual revenue of approximately 420.0 million Danish krone (USD67.2 million), Flugger says. Eskaro operates six factories across Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, and Finland that produce in total more than 30 million liters/year of paint, varnish, and primer, the company says. Eskaro expects 2020 EBIT of DKr27 million, an EBIT margin of 6.5%, and EBITDA of DKr40 million with an EBITDA margin of 9.5%.

The acquisition is also in line with Flugger’s strategy, Going Green, “where we see further growth potential in Eastern Europe and seek to expand Flugger group’s presence in Eastern Europe,” Mortensen says. It brings Flugger closer to achieving its 2023-24 financial targets of revenue above DKr2.5 billion and EBIT of more than 8%, he says.

As MRC informed earlier, Russia's output of chemical products rose in October 2020 by 7.2% year on year. At the same time, production of basic chemicals grew in the first ten months of 2020 by 6.3% year on year. According to the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation, polymers in primary form accounted for the greatest increase in the January-October output.
MRC

SABIC introduces new LEXAN anti-fog film for clear safety visors, lenses and goggles in high-humidity front-line work environments

MOSCOW (MRC) -- SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, has announced the successful commercialization of LEXAN HP92AF Anti-Fog film, targeted especially at demanding COVID-19 protection equipment such as safety face shields and goggles in front-line work environments, as per the company's press release.

The film product features a one-sided coating that extends the time-to-fog even at very high ambient humidity, ensuring long-lasting optical clarity. LEXAN HP92AF has confirmed its superior anti-fog performance in extensive testing under harshest conditions (see video) and does not exhibit any hazing at saturation as could be observed with competitive materials. Moreover, the anti-fog coating technology has no compromising effect on the abrasion resistance and impact strength of the polycarbonate (PC) film.

“We have identified a gap in the market when it comes to the effective protection of front-line workers against the COVID-19 pathogen. Particularly in work environments subjected to sudden temperature changes and high humidity, visors and safety goggles often fail to provide adequate long-term anti-fog performance. As a result, they may not be worn as required or must be taken off for frequent wiping,” says Ahmet Kizilirmakli, Senior Business Manager Americas, SABIC. “Our new LEXAN HP92AF Anti-Fog film offers the solution many companies have been looking for. Combining the characteristics of excellent optical quality, high impact strength of polycarbonate with our advanced anti-fog technology, makes the product the ultimate choice for face shields and other clear view personal protection equipment with long-lasting optical clarity in these environments.”

LEXAN HP92AF Anti-Fog film has already proven its excellent optical performance in several pilot applications for healthcare facilities and meat packing plants, where high humidity and temperature fluctuations can occur especially in transition zones between controlled and uncontrolled work climate. Next to visors, facemasks and safety goggles, further targeted applications include motorcycle visors, ski goggles, automotive cluster lenses, medical instrument lenses and displays as well as industrial lenses.

SABIC’s new anti-fog film product shows excellent die cutting and printability. The anti-fog film is thermoformable and withstands repeated cleaning, preferably using lukewarm, mild soap solutions or common glass cleaners. With a width of 48 inches (1,220 mm), LEXAN HP92AF Anti-Fog film is globally available in a wide range of gauges from 7 to 30 mil (175 to 750 µm).

“The rapid commercialization of LEXAN HP92AF Anti-Fog film underscores our commitment to helping our customers enhance the protection of front-line workers against COVID-19”, adds Mark Troszak, Film Segment Leader at SABIC. “In high-humidity environments and wherever else the time-to-fog makes a difference, this product can ensure optimum optical clarity over extended time periods, allowing the users of face shields and other transparent safety equipment to concentrate on their jobs in the safest way without being impaired by fogging.”

In addition, Troszak points out that SABIC has the capability to satisfy customer specific requirements by adapting this technology to other existing LEXAN coated film solutions.

As MRC reported earlier, responding to calls from major brands in the consumer electronics business and electrics and electronics (E&E) industry as a whole for more sustainable materials, SABIC has announced that its engineering thermoplastics business is expanding its portfolio of CYCOLOY and LEXAN resins containing high levels of post-consumer recycled material (PCR). Typical applications for the portfolio will include consumer electronics and accessories such as chargers and adapters, printers, copiers and laptop housing.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated consumption of PC granules (excluding imports and exports to/from Belarus) rose in the first three quarters of 2020 by 32% year on year to 75,600 tonnes (57,200 tonnes a year earlier).

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) ranks among the world's top petrochemical companies. The company is among the world's market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers.
MRC

Indonesia says B40 biodiesel program unlikely to proceed next year

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Indonesia is unlikely to proceed with plans to raise the bio-content of its palm oil-based biodiesel to 40% next year as it struggles to fund the program, an energy ministry official told parliament, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

Instead, the Southeast Asian country will retain its biodiesel B30 program which makes it compulsory for diesel in Indonesia to be blended with 30% fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) made out of palm oil next year, Dadan Kusdiana, the director general of the country's energy ministry, said. "B40 is not ready," Dadan said, referring to the biodiesel program containing 40% bio-content and adding that Indonesia had allocated 9.2 million kilolitres of FAME to be used next year.

"Supporting B30 is now very challenging from the funding side, so we see that B40 will be more difficult," he added. Indonesia collects levies to help finance its palm oil programs, including biodiesel subsidies and replanting programs for smallholders.

Other than a higher percentage of bio-content, the B40 program will also be produced using a different formulation, combining 30% FAME and 10% "green diesel" made out of palm oil with conventional diesel. Dadan said that the ministry is still conducting trials for the new blend.

Although biodiesel promises lower emissions, the use of palm oil as a feedstock raises concern about deforestation in the clearance of land to grow it. The European Union is planning to phase it out as fuel for transport, creating trade friction with Indonesia, the world's biggest producer of palm oil.

As MRC informed earlier, European and U.S. oil refineries face a wave of closures due to plateauing fuel demand, tightening environmental rules and overseas competition, prompting some owners to opt for an easier alternative - converting plants to produce biofuels.

As MRC informed earlier, Russia's output of chemical products rose in October 2020 by 7.2% year on year. At the same time, production of basic chemicals grew in the first ten months of 2020 by 6.3% year on year. According to the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation, polymers in primary form accounted for the greatest increase in the January-October output.
MRC