SABIC launches two new additions to its compounds for automotive radar sensors

MOSCOW (MRC) -- SABIC introduced two new radar absorbing LNP STAT-KON compounds for automotive radar sensors, significantly expanding its portfolio of these specialty materials, said the company.

The new grades, based on polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin, may be used for integration with radomes manufactured using PBT material, which can provide superior resistance to automotive chemicals. They complement and extend SABIC’s existing radar absorbing LNP STAT-KON compounds, which are based on polyetherimide (PEI) resin for withstanding higher processing temperatures or on polycarbonate (PC) resin for general applications that require high durability and a balance of physical properties. The high radio frequency (RF) absorption of these compounds can help increase detection range and improve signal resolution. Through materials innovation, SABIC is contributing to the growth of automotive radar and the design of next-generation sensors.

Radar sensors are widely used in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), where they provide capabilities such as blind spot detection, collision avoidance, automatic braking and traffic alerts. Radar absorbing materials (RAM) are used to shield the field of radar wave transmission and attenuate side waves that can cause ghost images or trigger false actions or alarms. A broader choice of radar absorbing LNP STAT-KON compounds can help manufacturers to increase flexibility in sensor positioning and function and to help design sensors that can be optimized for vehicle size and other variables.

"Radar sensors are a critical component of the ADAS suite, in part because they can operate in conditions such as poor visibility that impair LiDAR and camera functioning,” said Jeff Xu, LNP Product Manager, SABIC. “To support technology advancement in the radar sensor market, which is rapidly growing, SABIC continues to develop specialty materials that can enhance sensor accuracy and reliability. Our growing portfolio of LNP compounds offers high absorption of radar waves as well as potential cost benefits compared to radar absorbing materials designed for military applications."

The automotive radar market is forecasted to reach USD12.16 billion USD by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 20.8%, according to Grand View Research, Inc. This rapid expansion can be attributed to increased investments in the automotive industry, higher vehicle sales, greater emphasis on safety and innovations in radar technologies. Novel materials are contributing to this growth trajectory by improving sensor performance. SABIC’s new PBT-based LNP STAT-KON compounds deliver an RF absorption of 67 percent at 77GHz, which could allow for increased ADAS functionality for the automobile. To keep pace with rapid advancements in radar sensors, SABIC is developing additional grades that are either based on new resins or have higher radar absorbing properties.

SABIC offers extensive expertise in material development and a deep understanding of how radar units are designed and should perform in the automotive environment. The company also has access to innovative dielectric property tests and measurements in a wide range of frequencies, as well as modeling tools capable of performing simulations to help radar sensor manufacturers and automotive OEMs optimize system design and integration. The complete line of SABIC’s radar absorbing LNP STAT-KON compounds is globally available.

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

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Equinor (Stavanger, Norway) has confirmed that a fire broke out on Wednedsday at 2.40pm local time in a compressor house at the company's methanol plant at Tjeldbergodden, Norway, said Chemweek.

Emergency services were dispatched and police, fire, and health services are at the scene, the company says. The fire was put out at 3.40pm, it says.

When the fire started, site's air separation unit and the methanol plant were shut down, Equinor says. Personnel at the factory were evacuated and all emergency response procedures implemented, it says. Equinor's emergency response organization was assembled and authorities were notified.

"Nobody was injured in the fire," Equinor says. "We are working to get an overview of the consequences and the cause of the fire."

The Tjeldbergodden plant has the capacity to produce 900,000 metric tons/year of methanol, according to IHS Markit data.

We also remind that BP and Equinor confirmed they are shutting in production on their platforms, while Chevron, BHP and others said they are evacuating some personnel and considering decisions on production reductions.

Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing 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 density 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.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The Braskem-Idesa ethylene-polyethylene (PE) joint venture is shutting down production after receiving notice from Mexico's natural gas pipeline authority that it will unilaterally terminate natural gas delivery, reported Chemweek with reference to Braskem's statement.

"As a result, in compliance with safety protocols, Braskem-Idesa initiated procedures for the immediate interruption of its operating activities, which may have a material effect on the company's operating or financial results, depending on the timing of the stoppage," Braskem says in a statement.

The company says it will take legal measures to resolve the issue, but it cannot estimate the date for the return of its activities.

The Braskem Idesa complex, which comprises one ethane cracker and three PE units totaling 1.05 million metric tons/year, had a utilization rate of 84% in 3Q 2020, according to a recent Braskem presentation. The main grades of PE produced are high density polyethylene (HDPE) for blow molding and film, and low density polyethylene (LDPE) for film.

The outage is expected to support US PE prices. Braskem-Idesa exports some of its production into the US and competes with US manufacturers in Latin America.

As MRC informed before, petrochemical producer Braskem Idesa is investing in an additional ship-unloading pier to increase its ethane imports. The initiative is part of the "fast track" project, which is responsible to provide imported ethane to the Veracruz complex in Mexico.

We remind that in early February, 2020, Braskem said its Braskem Idesa joint venture with the Mexican group Idesa had reached an important milestone with the import of its first ethane from the US, which will be used as feedstock to at the Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, petrochemical complex. Braskem Idesa has spent USD4 million on logistics infrastructure and will be able to import up to 12,800 b/d of ethane to the feed the complex. This quantity represents 19% of the company’s 1.05-million metric tons/year steam cracker’s ethane needs.

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.

Braskem S.A. produces petrochemicals and generates electricity. The Company produces ethylene, propylene, benzene, toluene, xylenes, butadiene, butene, isoprene, dicyclopentediene, MTBE, caprolactam, ammonium sulfate, cyclohexene, polyethylene theraphtalat, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- LyondellBasell and Sasol (Johannesburg) have closed a previously announced USD2-billion transaction that sees the companies form their Louisiana Integrated Polyethylene joint venture (JV) at Lake Charles, reported Chemweek.

LyondellBasell now owns 50% of Sasol’s new 1.5-million metric tons/year steam cracker, and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) plants - with combined capacity for 900,000 metric tons/year - as well as associated infrastructure at Lake Charles. The deal was closed on 1 December following regulatory and shareholder approvals, with the proceeds to be received within two days of closing, Sasol says.

LyondellBasell will operate the three assets and market the polyethylene (PE) products on behalf of the JV shareholders. Approximately 400 of Sasol’s employees at Lake Charles who directly support the assets have now joined LyondellBasell, the companies say. Sasol achieved beneficial operation of the final plant at the Lake Charles Chemicals Project, the 420,000-metric tons/year LDPE unit, mid-November.

“The formation of this JV is part of our approach to growing our core businesses while positioning the company to benefit from improving economic conditions,” says LyondellBasell CEO Bob Patel. “We believe our ability to operate efficiently and serve growing markets will create exceptional long-term value for our shareholders of both companies.”

“This transaction accelerates the transformation of our chemicals business toward a focus on specialty chemicals,” says Sasol’s president and CEO Fleetwood Grobler. “We’re proud of the world-scale assets we’ve built in southwest Louisiana and look forward to working with LyondellBasell to realize their full potential and create value for all our stakeholders.”

LyondellBasell agreed in October to acquire the 50% stake in Sasol’s base chemicals business at Lake Charles. The agreement included customary rights for each partner regarding the potential future sale of its ownership interest, the companies said at the time.

Sasol has retained full ownership and operational control of its existing 454,000-metric tons/year Lake Charles East Plant ethane cracker, an R&D complex, and its performance chemicals assets at Lake Charles producing Ziegler alcohols and alumina, ethoxylates, Guerbet alcohols, paraffins, comonomers, linear alkylbenzene, ethylene oxide, and ethylene glycol.

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, exluding producers' inventories as of 1 January, 2020). Supply increased exclusively of PP random copolymer.

Sasol is an international integrated chemicals and energy company that leverages technologies and the expertise of our 31 270 people working in 32 countries. The company develops and commercialises technologies, and builds and operates world-scale facilities to produce a range of high-value product stream, including liquid fuels, petrochemicals and low-carbon electricity.

LyondellBasell is one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world. Driven by its 13,000 employees around the globe, LyondellBasell produces materials and products that are key to advancing solutions to modern challenges like enhancing food safety through lightweight and flexible packaging, protecting the purity of water supplies through stronger and more versatile pipes, and improving the safety, comfort and fuel efficiency of many of the cars and trucks on the road. LyondellBasell sells products into approximately 100 countries and is the world's largest licensor of polyolefin technologies.
MRC

1. ExxonMobil to write off as much as USD20bn in assets; cuts capex

MOSCOW (MRC) -- ExxonMobil plans to write down as much as USD20bn in assets and cut its 2021 capital expenditures (capex) to USD16bn-19bn as it prioritizes investments in chemical performance products in the near term, said Chemweek. Annual capex thereafter until 2025 will be USD20bn-25bn, down from the company’s original budget of USD30bn-35bn. ExxonMobil is also eyeing a 15% cut in its global workforce by the end of next year to cut expenses amid the demand slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic and a low-oil price environment. The asset write-off would include certain dry gas resources in the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas in the US, and in western Canada and Argentina.

MRC