SOCAR Polymer launches two new random copolymer PP grades ideal for thin-wall packaging

MOSCOW (MRC) -- SOCAR Polymer has expanded its portfolio of high-performance polypropylene (PP) resins with the addition of its first pair of random copolymers (RCPs), as per the company's press release.

These resins are designed to yield rigid packaging via thin-wall injection molding (TWIM), along with a host of other benefits.

SOCAR Polymer, based in Azerbaijan, currently is marketing these materials to customers in Russia and other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States. The company suggests that these new RCP grades will qualitatively complement its portfolio of PP products intended for the segment of rigid packaging produced by thin-walled injection molding.

The two new grades are RB 4545 MO (with a melt flow index of 45) and RB 6545 MO (with a melt flow index of 65). Those viscosities account for the majority of TWIM items made from random copolymers, according to Milliken, whose Millad NX 8000 family of clarifiers imparts many of the key properties to the resins.

SOCAR Polymer started using Milliken additives after they were recommended by its licensor. During product development, the company decided to completely redevelop its RCP grades intended for TWIM applications. The resin maker re-engineered its products and introduced Millad NX 8000 to its formulation recipe. Milliken provided samples for development, and the two parties met at the K 2019 trade show in Dusseldorf to confirm the plan to proceed.

The aim of these materials is to provide the best possible balance between processability, good mechanical and optical properties, along with high-end aesthetics and excellent safety of the final molded products. The use of the Milliken clarifier provides superb transparency and clarity to the resulting resins, which enables the replacement of other plastic materials with the highly recyclable PP.

Additionally, these Millad NX 8000-modified grades can be processed at lower temperatures, and for shorter cycle times, which translates into energy savings for the injection molder. This independently verified lower energy usage allows brand owners to apply the UL Environmental Claim Validation label on injection molded packaging made with these PP resins, further emphasizing their sustainability commitment.

These latest SOCAR Polymer PP grades also yield parts with an excellent balance between stiffness (rigidity) and impact resistance, as well as with good antistatic and mold-release properties. They are food contact-approved, use no organic peroxides, and abide by SOCAR Polymer’s zero-phthalate philosophy, meaning that no catalysts and chemicals containing phthalate compounds are used at any stage of production.

The very good flowability of these grades make them ideal for high-transparency TWIM packaging applications such as caps and closures, containers and housewares.

As MRC reported previously, SOCAR Polymer plans to reach the design load for high density polyethylene (HDPE) no earlier than 2023. In 2019, SOCAR Polymer is expected to produce 48,200 tonnes of HDPE and 110,000 tonnes of PP. In 2020, these indicators will amount to 97,0004 and 140,000 tonnes, respectively. In 2023, the company is expected to be able to reach its design targets and produce 120,000 tonnes of polyethylene and 170,000 tonnes of PP. Thus, the production of HDPE relative to 2019 will grow by 2.5 times, PP - by 54%.

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

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, 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.
MRC

MAN Energy Solutions begins cooperation on new CCS system technologies

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Aker Carbon Capture and MAN Energy Solutions have signed a technology-cooperation agreement to develop energy-efficient compression solutions for carbon capture and storage (CCS) applications with heat recovery, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The agreement supports the companies’ joint target to reduce the cost of removing CO2 emissions from industrial plants around the world. The cooperation builds on MAN’s experience in compressor technology, the integration of system components and their design and delivery, as well as Aker Carbon Capture’s proprietary amine technology and efficient carbon-capture process design.

"We are very pleased to formalize our good relationship with MAN Energy Solutions in the form of a technology-cooperation agreement. Through this partnership, we intend to further improve the process efficiency and thereby lower the cost of carbon capture to the benefit of our clients and the environment,” said Valborg Lundegaard, CEO of Aker Carbon Capture.

"Carbon capture and storage will play a major role in a decarbonized future. This technology contributes both to reducing emissions in key sectors directly, and to removing CO2 to balance unavoidable emissions, which is critical with regard to the targets of the Paris Agreement,” stated Dr Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions. “As experienced forerunners in the CCS field, we will build on our well-founded knowhow and work together on new, energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly CCS-technology solutions."

With CCS, captured CO2 is compressed before being liquefied and transported to a permanent-storage location. The two companies aim to develop carbon capture solutions that require less energy. The transfer of heat is key for CO2-capture plants’ improved, overall power-consumption with MAN Energy Solutions able to recover heat from its compression systems. Hence, the steam generated will cover nearly 50% of the power demand for Aker Carbon Capture’s capture plant.

The technology-cooperation agreement will run for seven years and forms the basis for project deliveries to carbon-capture plants. Solutions will be applicable for large facilities, such as the Heidelberg Cement Norcem cement plant in Brevik, Norway where Aker Carbon Capture will deliver a carbon-capture plant using the company’s patented and HSE-friendly CCS technology. Subject to parliamentary approval of the funding, this will represent the first time that CCS will have been deployed at scale at a cement factory anywhere in the world.

As MRC informed earlier, MAN Energy Solutions has announced the successful, remote commissioning of a compressor train at Uzbekistan’s largest chemical company, JSC Navoiyazot. This world-first was brought about when installation work for a new nitric-acid plant for fertilizer production was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with the MAN Energy Solutions’ commissioning team forced to leave the site due to the impending lockdown and associated travel restrictions within the country. In order to avoid any delays and additional costs for the entire project, MAN and the EPC contractor Casale S.A. – the global provider of integrated solutions for the production of fertilizers and chemicals ­– rapidly put in place an alternative plan to commission the machinery with remote supervision by MAN engineers using the company’s digital technology.

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 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

Kaijin Blue Sky Energy licenses PP technology from LyondellBasell

MOSCOW (MRC) -- LyondellBasell announced that Kaijin Blue Sky Energy (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd., has selected LyondellBasell’s leading polypropylene technology for a new world scale facility, said the company.

The facility will include a 600 KTA polypropylene plant using LyondellBasell’s Spheripol technology as well as a 300 KTA polypropylene plant using LyondellBasell’s Spherizone technology. The facility will be built in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.

"The choice of Kaijin Blue Sky Energy to use LyondellBasell’s polypropylene technology for their Wenzhou facility demonstrates how future operators trust the unpreceded polyolefin expertise of LyondellBasell. LyondellBasell’s polypropylene technology is the most widely used process in the world and is very well established in the market,” said Jim Seward, senior vice president of research and development, technology and sustainability at LyondellBasell. “The simplicity and robustness of the Spheripol process and the ability to produce added value polymer grades on a benchmark cost basis with the Spherizone technology is recognized by customers across the industry."

Mr. Yang Xuanjian, the General Manager of Kaijin Blue Sky Energy (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. stated: “The selected polyolefin technology from LyondellBasell gives us the ability to deliver cost effectively recognized bulk polymers through the Spheripol technology and to supply differentiated high margin polymer products through the Spherizone technology allowing us to build up our organisation on a solid basis."

The Spherizone multi-zone circulating reactor (MZCR) provides a unique and innovative platform to manufacture polypropylene products with novel architecture and enhanced product properties. With this award, more than 15 Spherizone plants has been licensed in Asia. Spheripol is the leading PP process with more than 30 million tons of licensed capacity. The latest fifth generation Spheripol technology includes process improvements that further maximize operational efficiency.

Both plants will commence operations using LyondellBasell’s Avant ZN catalyst. New licensees can take advantage of LyondellBasell’s in-house expertise of continuous production improvement, sustainable product development and catalyst knowhow, by optionally joining our Technical Service program.

As MRC informed earlier, Hengyi Industries petrochemicals joint venture (JV) in Brunei has selected LyondellBasell’s Hostalen technology for a 450,000 tonne/year high density polyethylene (HDPE) facility to be built in Pulau Muara Besar, Brunei Darussalam. The plant - part of an integrated petrochemicals complex - will also use LyondellBasell’s catalysts to produce multi-modal HDPE products. Project costs or timelines for construction and completion were not disclosed.

As MRC informed earlier, LyondellBasell, the world’s largest licensor of polyolefin technologies, today announced that Hengyi Industries SDN BHD (Hengyi) will use the LyondellBasell Hostalen “Advanced Cascade Process” technology for a new facility.

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.
MRC

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

Fire shuts Equinor methanol plant in Norway

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