Brenntag commits to 100% renewable electricity by 2025

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Brenntag, the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution, has committed to switching its electricity consumption completely to green electricity by 2025, as per the company's press release.

This self-imposed commitment marks another important step in the company's sustainability strategy. To this end, Brenntag has joined the global RE100 initiative.

Christian Kohlpaintner, Chief Executive Officer Brenntag SE: “With our voluntary commitment to 100% green power by 2025, we have added another element to our ambitious sustainability targets for 2021 that we published in line with our latest sustainability report. Moving towards an operation entirely with renewable electricity is an important measure for our business to position us even more future-proof and responsible in terms of reducing CO2 emissions.”

The RE100 initiative aims to unite the largest and most successful companies on the planet in their mission to move to 100% renewable electricity. This goal shall be achieved in its entirety by 2040. In the process, the initiative addresses, among other things, political and regulatory barriers, and stands up for a transparent system to create a level playing field for partners from the most diverse businesses and all regions of the world.

In its recently published sustainability report, Brenntag stated that 15% of its electricity consumption in 2020 could already be sourced from renewable sources - a result that has had a proven positive impact on the Group's decline in CO2 emissions.

As MRC informed earlier, in April 2020, Brenntag said it had acquired the operating assets of Suffolk Solutions’ (Suffolk, Virginia) caustic soda distribution business. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

We remind that March production of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) in Russia was 118,000 tonnes (100% of the main substance) versus 98,400 tonnes a month earlier. The country's overall output of caustic soda totalled 329,400 tonnes in the first three months of 2021, down by 0.7% year on year.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Azelis is delighted to announce the extension of its distribution scope with CP Kelco in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. CP Kelco’s product range is a significant addition to Azelis’ portfolio and the new agreement marks an important milestone in the strong and continuously developing collaboration between both companies globally, said the company.

Azelis will distribute the complete range of CP Kelco’s products, which includes specialty carrageenan, xanthan gum, pectin, gellan gum, fermentation-derived cellulose and, the newest addition, citrus fiber. As per July 11th, in India, Azelis will cover the market of Food; in Malaysia, Food and C&I (Consumers & Industrials); and in Indonesia, in addition to the existing Food partnership, Azelis will also cover C&I. As per August 1st, Azelis will cover the markets of C&I in Thailand.

CP Kelco and Azelis’ collaboration in Asia Pacific started in 2012 with China and expanded in 2018 to Indonesia. With more than 140 years of ingredient expertise, CP Kelco offers advanced thickening, texturizing, suspending and stabilizing solutions through its innovative portfolio of nature-based hydrocolloids and citrus fiber.

“Through our many alliances, Azelis has proven it’s a win to combine forces. Azelis’ significant market coverage and outstanding technical knowledge, paired with our long-lasting relationship, enable a truly robust alliance. We are confident that through this collaboration, CP Kelco will develop new opportunities, increase its customer intimacy and strengthen its market penetration."

Laurent Nataf, CEO & President Asia Pacific at Azelis, adds: "We are thrilled about this expansion of our collaboration, a great recognition of the trust and confidence our valued principal CP Kelco puts into us. Their product range is a significant addition to our portfolio in India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, giving us access to advanced solutions from a renowned, leading manufacturer. We will leverage our strong relationship with CP Kelco and our ingredient expertise built throughout the years at Azelis, particularly in China and Indonesia, to ensure fast adoption from the technical sales and application lab teams. Our goal is to be able to deliver from the start the very best service to existing and new customers while reducing complexity for CP Kelco."

Azelis has grown exponentially in Asia Pacific and expanded its presence from three countries in 2012 to 12 today: Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Azelis strives to bring the best products and ideas together to formulate innovative solutions with our partners while leveraging our network of more than 20 dedicated application laboratories in the region.

As per MRC, Azelis, an innovation service provider in the specialty chemicals and food ingredients distribution industry, launched e-Lab for Personal Care and Food & Health customers in the United Kingdom and for Food & Health customers in Indonesia. The launch of this platform is aligned with the company’s ambition to be the world-leading provider of digital services and insights in the industry, leading the way in customer engagement and making its e-Lab the engine for innovation through formulation whereby customers are able to order samples and place an order anytime and on any digital device.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 744,130 tonnes in the first four month of 2021, up by 4% year on year. Shipments of all PE grades increased. At the same time, PP deliveries to the Russian market were 523,900 tonnes in January-April 2021, up by 55% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased, whereas shipments of PP random copolymers decreased.

Azelis is a leading distributor of speciality chemicals and food ingredients present in over 50 countries across the globe with around 2,200 employees. Our knowledgeable teams of industry, market and technical experts are each dedicated to a specific market within Life Sciences and Industrial Chemicals.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Henkel Adhesive Technologies, through its corporate venture capital arm Henkel Tech Ventures, has invested in ioTech, a UK-based start-up with an R&D footprint in Israel, aimed at strengthening its capabilities for innovative electronics solutions, according to EuropaWire.

THe startup is the developer of a disruptive Continuous Laser Assisted Deposition (C.L.A.D.) technology that enables the further miniaturization of a variety of applications in the electronics industry.

With the investment, Henkel aims to drive synergies between its customer demands and its material solutions, laser jetted with ioTech's disruptive technology.

Henkel Adhesive Technologies is a leading materials supplier for the electronics assembly and semi-conductor packaging industries. The advanced formulations include a range of products that facilitate electrical interconnect, provide structural integrity, offer critical protection and transfer heat for reliable performance. Leading customers around the globe rely on Henkel technologies for consumer electronics such as smartphones, for industrial applications ranging from cars to solar modules and medical applications as well as for infrastructural innovations such as 5G networks.

Founded in 2016, ioTech has developed an extremely fast, precise and unique non-contact deposition technology for almost any material as an open system. The nozzle-free laser jetting system enables high-resolution printing for up to six different materials at the same time, including polymers, metals, ceramics and bio-based materials. The speed and capacity of the technology allow for mass-manufacturing applications such as semi-conductor packaging and printed circuit boards manufacturing and assembly. Being an additive manufacturing technology, it creates an eco-friendly alternative to many traditional electronic manufacturing methods.

“ioTech is thrilled to get Henkel’s vote of confidence”, says Herve Javice, ioTech co-founder & CEO. “Together with Henkel, we have identified multiple applications in electronics manufacturing, where ioTech’s system will enable new product developments and add significant value in terms of design flexibility and throughput. We highly appreciate Henkel’s active support in introducing our cutting-edge technology successfully to key accounts. We view Henkel’s investment in ioTech as a technology and commercial validation of our mission. We look forward to a successful and fruitful collaboration.”

As MRC informed earlier, in May 2021, Henkel announced the construction of a new Adhesive Technologies Innovation Center in Shanghai. With an investment of more than EUR60 mln (RMB 500 million), the state-of-the-art facility will transform Henkel’s current Zhangjiang site into an Innovation Center for China and Asia-Pacific. The new site will also strengthen the position of Henkel Adhesive Technologies to serve a variety of industries and develop leading adhesives, sealants and functional coatings solutions for customers in the region.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 744,130 tonnes in the first four month of 2021, up by 4% year on year. Shipments of all PE grades increased. At the same time, PP deliveries to the Russian market were 523,900 tonnes in January-April 2021, up by 55% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased, whereas shipments of PP random copolymers decreased.

Henkel Tech Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Henkel Adhesive Technologies, established in 2016. Headquartered in Dusseldorf, it functions as a connector between external innovators and Henkel. Through networking, consulting, partnerships and investments, the unit supports the growth of startups and at the same time enhances Henkel’s new business development efforts.

Founded in 2016, ioTech is headquartered in London, UK with its R&D activities in Israel. ioTech is a fast-growing venture that has developed Continuous Laser Assisted Deposition (C.L.A.D.), the world’s first Additive Manufacturing technology that can process most standard industrial materials. ioTech’s system can print and combine multiple (flowable) materials at high resolution and high speed, offering the flexibility of dispensing at the speed of screen printing.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), on Thursday said he expects the company's deal with Saudi Aramco to materialise this year, said Reuters.

Meanwhile, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, chairman of Saudi Aramco and the Governor of the Public Investment Fund, joined the board of Reliance as an independent director.

Speaking at the company's annual general meeting, Ambani said "As an important part of this vision of achieving accelerated growth, we look forward to welcoming Saudi Aramco as a strategic partner in our O2C business." Despite several challenges due to covid-19, "we have made substantial progress in the past year in our discussions", he added.

RIL had in 2019 announced its interest to sell 20% stake in the company’s flagship chemicals and refining business to Saudi Aramco in a deal valued at USD15 billion. Last fiscal, RIL carved out its oil-to-chemicals business into a separate entity, to facilitate onboarding of strategic partners like Aramco.

O2C undertaking of the company comprises of entire oil-to-chemicals business consisting of refining, petrochemicals, fuel retail & aviation fuel (majority interest only) and bulk wholesale marketing businesses together with its assets and liabilities. O2C’s aim, RIL said, is to maximize crude to chemicals conversion while creating a sustainable growth business.

Ethylene and propylene are the main feedstocks for the production of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), respectively.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 744,130 tonnes in the first four month of 2021, up by 4% year on year. Shipments of all PE grades increased. At the same time, PP deliveries to the Russian market were 523,900 tonnes in January-April 2021, up by 55% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased, whereas shipments of PP random copolymers decreased.

Reliance Industries is one of the world's largest producers of polymers. The company produces polypropylene, polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride and other petrochemical products.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Formosa Plastics USA, part of Formosa Petrochemical, began restarting its No. 3 cracker in Point Comfort, Texas on June 23 and was expected to ramp up through the week, reported S&P Global with reference to sources familiar with company operations.

The Formosa OL3 cracker with the capacity of 1.25 mln tonnes of ethylene per year was shut on June 4, 2021, owing to technical issues.

A Formosa spokesman June 22 had said the unit would be undergoing start-up activities beginning June 23, according to market sources. The startup was initially expected after one week of downtime, but the timeline was extended to the week ending June 25.

As MRC informed before, Formosa Plastics' new 1.5 million mt/year cracker in Point Comfort came online in H1 January, 2020, and was seen ramping up through January.

We remind that Formosa Plastics USA started up its 400,000 tons/year low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant in Point Comfort, Texas, US, on 30 November, 2020.

Ethylene and propylene are the main feedstocks for the production of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), respectively.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 744,130 tonnes in the first four month of 2021, up by 4% year on year. Shipments of all PE grades increased. At the same time, PP deliveries to the Russian market were 523,900 tonnes in January-April 2021, up by 55% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased, whereas shipments of PP random copolymers decreased.

Formosa Petrochemical is involved primarily in the business of refining crude oil, selling refined petroleum products and producing and selling olefins (including ethylene, propylene, butadiene and BTX) from its naphtha cracking operations. Formosa Petrochemical is also the largest olefins producer in Taiwan and its olefins products are mostly sold to companies within the Formosa Group. Among the company's chemical products are paraxylene (PX), phenyl ethylene, acetone and pure terephthalic acid (PTA). The company"s plastic products include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resins, polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and panlite (PC).
MRC