Danaflex plans to switch to recyclable packaging by 2025

MOSCOW (MRC) - The Tatarstan company Danaflex plans to switch to recyclable packaging by 2025, RBK reports.

The Ministry of Ecology of the Republic of Tatarstan is confident that it is quite possible to do this by the announced date, but all the advantages will not appear immediately.

"We have a number of successful recyclable solutions in our portfolio and are promoting the concept of Non-existent package or“ Packaging that was not there. ”Recyclable packaging for the food and non-food industry is made of a mono-material polypropylene or polyethylene. easy to recycle packaging and create something new from it. The need for sustainable packaging solutions is clear. We are now working with our clients on projects to offer sustainable solutions to the end consumer. The strength, barrier properties, print quality and tactile properties of packaging are preserved " - said the head of the company Airat Bashirov.

The company intends to increase the share of collection and recyclability of the material. The idea is to mark the packaging with a wide, bright green stripe visible to the eye, which will distinguish recyclable from non-recyclable packaging.

Earlier it was reported that Danaflex (Tatarstan) plans to build a new plant on the territory of the special economic zone "Alabuga" in Tatarstan. It is planned to create a new packaging plant on the territory of the special economic zone. The volume of investments is over 4.5 billion rubles. The commissioning of the plant is scheduled for the first half of 2022.

In addition, Danaflex launched the production of IML labels for food and non-food products in February 2020. Danaflex has created a product that meets the most important requirement of the time - recycling, since the product and packaging consist of mono-raw materials. This is the reason for the general trend of transition of other types of marking (self-adhesive, dry label, direct print, etc.) to IML label.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 1,396,960 tonnes in January-July 2021, up by 7% year on year. Shipments of all grades of ethylene polymers increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market were 841,990 tonnes in the first seven months of 2021, up by 29% year on year.

Danaflex Group of Companies was founded in 2001. The main activity is the production of flexible packaging materials for various industries. The group positions itself as the largest manufacturer of packaging materials. The structure of the GC includes four production facilities: CJSC Danaflex, LLC Danaflex-Nano, LLC Danaflex-Alabuga and DGPack s.r.o (in the Czech Republic).
MRC

Clariant and Linde Engineering to develop new catalysts

Clariant and Linde Engineering to develop new catalysts

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant Catalyts has teamed up with Linde Engineering to develop new catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODH-E), an innovative, low-emissions catalytic technology for the production of ethylene, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The novel catalyst is a step change in selectivity and productivity, now making ethylene production via ODH-E commercially feasible.

Clariant’s ODH catalysts are available exclusively for Linde Engineering’s innovative EDHOX™ catalytic on-purpose ethylene technology. In contrast to conventional steam cracking, which operates at process temperatures up to 900°C, EDHOX™ operates at moderate temperatures—below 400°C, enabling comparatively low CO? emissions. Also inherent to Linde Engineering’s process are the sequestration of CO2 and the potential for electrification. Together, these differences lead to a reduction of CO2 emissions by up to 100% compared with conventional steam cracking.

The new catalysts by Clariant are the first to offer high selectivity to ethylene and acetic acid (up to 93%) for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane, while also demonstrating outstanding productivity at such conditions, minimizing the formation of by-products. Furthermore, the development of the new catalysts and their impact on CO2 emissions support Clariant’s objectives to drive low-carbon solutions through sustainable innovation and to generate value with safe chemistry and the responsible use of resources.

"We are honored to partner with Linde Engineering on this groundbreaking innovation. Bringing together both catalyst know-how and process design expertise has resulted in a novel production technology, driving innovation and sustainability for years to come,” said Stefan Heuser, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Clariant Catalysts.

Reinhart Vogel, Vice President Petrochemical Plants at Linde Engineering, stated, “By working with Clariant Catalysts, a more sustainable, alternative path to ethylene is not only a vision, but also becoming a reality. EDHOX™ technology has now been successfully validated in a full-scale demonstration plant for commercial use. We look forward to our continued partnership together, and we continue focusing on low-cost solutions for our customers while transitioning to a greener economy."

As MRC informed before, in October 2020, Clariant (Muttenz, Switzerland) announced the construction of a new state-of-the-art catalyst production site in China. This project represents a significant investment which further strengthens Clariant’s position in China and enhances its ability to support its customers in the country’s thriving petrochemicals industry.

The new facility will be primarily responsible for producing the Catofin catalyst for propane dehydrogenation, which is used in the production of olefins such as propylene. Thanks to its excellent reliability and productivity, Catofin delivers superior annual production output compared to alternative technologies, resulting in increased overall profitability for propylene producers, says the company. Construction at the Dushan Port Economic Development Zone in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province was scheduled to commence in Q3 2020, and Clariant expects to be at full production capacity by 2022.

Propylene is the main feedstocks for the production of polypropylene (PP).

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PET consumption totalled 411,200 tonnes in the first six month of 2021, up by 12% year on year. Russian companies processed 62,910 tonnes in June, compared to 85,890 tonnes a month earlier.
MRC

Dow advanced several chemical recycling agreements in the U.S. and Europe

Dow advanced several chemical recycling agreements in the U.S. and Europe

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Dow, Midland, Michigan, has announced several advancements in its efforts to prevent plastic waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide customers with recycled plastic products, said the company.

The company says these advancements will help it to provide initial supply of fully circular polymers to customers starting in 2022.

Dow reports that it has finalized an agreement with Gunvor Petroleum Rotterdam to purify pyrolysis oil feedstocks derived from plastic scrap. Gunvor will supply cracker-ready feedstock to Dow beginning this year, which will be used to produce circular plastics for customers. Dow says the purification process is necessary to ensure pyrolysis oil feedstocks are of sufficient quality to produce new polymers. The company reports it also is fast-tracking the design, engineering and construction of a market development scale purification unit in Terneuzen, the Netherlands, to provide additional capacity to purify pyrolysis oil feedstock derived from plastic scrap.

Additionally, Dow has established a multiyear agreement with New Hope Energy in Tyler, Texas, to supply it with pyrolysis oil feedstocks derived from plastics recycled in North America. New Hope Energy converts used plastics into pyrolysis oil feedstock, which Dow will use to produce circular plastics.

The company also is on track to receive International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) for each of its major European and U.S. sites. The company says this certification requires an independent, external audit to ensure product supply chains are fully traceable and that Dow and its suppliers are adhering to and accelerating sustainable practices.

“The market is placing significant value on circularity and Dow is innovating to address the tremendous unmet demand for circular and low carbon polymers,” says Diego Donoso, president of Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics. “As the leading materials science company, Dow is offering our customers what they need today and helping them develop more sustainable products, including 100 percent recyclable solutions or adding recycled or bio-based content into their products."

As MRC wrote earlier, Dow Chemical began the process of restarting operations at its cracker No.7 in Freeport (Freeport, TX, USA) on 19 July, 2021, after a technological disruption on 4 July, 2021.

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 1,176,860 tonnes in the first half of 2021, up by 5% year on year. Shipments of exclusively low density polyethylene (LDPE) decreased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market were 727,160 tonnes in the first six months of 2021, up by 31% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and block-copolymers of propylene (PP block copolymers) increased. Supply of statistical copolymers of propylene (PP random copolymers) subsided.

Dow combines global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation and leading business positions to achieve profitable growth. The Company's ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company, with a purpose to deliver a sustainable future for the world through our materials science expertise and collaboration with our partners. Dow's portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer care. Dow operates 106 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately USD39 bn in 2020.
MRC

SIBUR, Samruk-Kazyna and KazMunayGas signed agreements on petrochemical projects in Kazakhstan

SIBUR, Samruk-Kazyna and KazMunayGas signed agreements on petrochemical projects in Kazakhstan

MOSCOW (MRC) -- During the XIV KAZENERGY Eurasian Forum, SIBUR, Samruk-Kazyna and KazMunayGas signed agreements setting out the core terms of cooperation on petrochemical projects in the special economic zone National Industrial Petrochemical Technopark in Atyrau, the Republic of Kazakhstan, said the company.

The agreements regulate the establishment of joint ventures as part of an integrated gas chemical complex, which include, among others, the potential project to build a polyethylene (PE) facility with an annual capacity of 1,250 kt, and the 500 ktpa polypropylene (PP) plant that is currently under construction. SIBUR’s share in both JVs stands at 40%.

The Company will enter into the joint ventures after all necessary regulatory approvals are obtained and the PP facility is put into operation.

Dmitry Konov, Chairman of the Management Board at SIBUR Holding: "SIBUR consistently develops its petrochemicals business and has a vast expertise in building, commissioning and operating world-scale petrochemical complexes. This, combined with our partners’ extensive experience in developing and running large oil and gas production, transportation and refining facilities, will give our joint ventures a competitive edge on the global market, adding new capacities to our asset portfolios. The launch of new facilities will also boost domestic polymer consumption in Kazakhstan and other member states of the Eurasian Economic Union and improve export potential of high value-added products thanks to SIBUR’s existing infrastructure and competencies."

Alik Aidarbayev, Chairman of the Management Board at KazMunayGas:"KazMunayGas has been commissioned by the Kazakh government to develop national petrochemicals industry. This year, in the run-up to the 30th anniversary of the country’s independence, we are completing the construction of a PP facility scheduled for launch in early 2022. With the next step being the PE project, we believe SIBUR to be a reliable partner possessing the necessary expertise and technology. Moreover, this cooperation will enable Kazakhstan to enter new sales markets."

As per MRC, SIBUR International and TAIF Group have finalised a deal to merge and create the largest petrochemical company in the country and one of the biggest in the world.

Earlier it was reported that the European Commission approved the deal on 1 October.

SIBUR manufactures and sells petrochemical products on the Russian and international markets in two business segments: olefins and polyolefins (polypropylene, polyethylene, BOPP, etc.), as well as plastics, elastomers and intermediate products (synthetic rubbers, expanded polystyrene, PET, etc.) .
MRC

COVID-19 - News digest as of 07.10.2021

1.Oil prices increased as OPEC sticks to gradual output plan

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Oil prices jumped on Tuesday, with U.S. crude hitting its highest since 2014 and Brent futures climbing to a three-year high, after the OPEC+ group of producers stuck to its planned output increase rather than raising it further, said Hydrocarbonprocessing. Oil prices have already surged more than 50% this yr, adding to inflationary pressures that crude-consuming nations such as the United States and India are concerned will derail recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Late last month, the OPEC+ Joint Technical Committee (JTC) said it expected a 1.1-MMbpd supply deficit this yr, which could turn into a 1.4-MMbpd surplus next yr. Despite pressure to ramp up output, OPEC+ was concerned that a fourth global wave of COVID-19 infections could hit the demand recovery, a source told Reuters a little before Monday's talks.

MRC