Honeywell introduces new technology to produce key feedstock for plastics

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Honeywell announced that it has introduced a new solution for producing renewable naphtha for petrochemical production using their Honeywell UOP Ecofining technology, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The new pathway can produce high yield of naphtha from sustainable feedstocks like used cooking oil and animal fats. Naphtha is a valuable petrochemical feedstock used in the production of plastics, specifically olefins that are building blocks for other chemicals and aromatics that are used to produce polyester and other packaging materials. Naphtha is traditionally derived from crude oil and natural gas condensates but can now be produced from renewable feedstocks. Renewable naphtha from sustainable feeds such as used cooking oil has a 50%-80% lower GHG footprint compared to petroleum feeds, depending on the feedstock.

Prior to the introduction of renewable naphtha solution, the UOP Ecofining technology has been used to produce predominantly green diesel and green jet fuel, with small amounts of bio-naphtha being produced as a secondary product. The same Ecofining technology can be adapted to produce high yields of renewable naphtha as its predominant product, reflecting the versatility of the Ecofining design and ability to produce a range of products based on market needs.

"We are actively engaged with customers to drive new technology adoption, as renewable petrochemical feedstocks have grown in interest as consumers prefer more bio-based products,” said Ben Owens, Vice President and General Manager, Honeywell Sustainable Technology Solutions. “We see renewable naphtha produced from the UOP Ecofining process as a proven solution available today to help petrochemical producers reduce the carbon footprint of their products compared to using petroleum-based feeds."

As per MRC, Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez will use a number of technological processes from Honeywell UOP (USA) to convert low-value vacuum gas oil into gasoline and propylene. LUKOIL-Permnefteorgsintez will use a range of Honeywell UOP processes to convert low value vacuum gas oil into high value products such as gasoline and propylene.

As MRC reported earlier, in March 2021, Honeywell announced that Hengli Petrochemical Co. Ltd. successfully used Callidus burner technology from Honeywell UOP to minimize nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions in China, and reduce the impact of these emissions while ensuring safe and stable operations. Along with phenol, acetone is largely used to produce bisphenol A (BPA), which, in its turn, is used in the production of plastics such as polycarbonate (PC) and epoxy resins.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Eni and SEA, the Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate airports operator, have signed an agreement to promote decarbonization initiatives in the aviation sector and accelerate the ecological transition of the two airports, according to Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The agreement stems from a collaboration that first began in December 2021 with the supply of sustainable aviation biofuels for private flights. The collaboration has been extended to commercial flights too and includes the supply of pure hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) biofuel for ground transportation, as well as a joint development program for smart mobility services. These products and services support the reduction of emissions from airport operations and the decarbonization of airport-related air and ground transport.

"With this initiative, Eni is building on the potential of sustainable biofuels for aviation, as they currently represent the only immediately available solution to decarbonize the sector," said Umberto Carrara, Director of Green/Traditional Refining and Market at Eni. "Eni started producing SAFs a few months ago with a mix containing 0.5% of used cooking oil, but there are also plans to develop Eni biojet soon. This will be made exclusively from waste materials such as UCO or animal fats and can be used in a blend with conventional jet fuel of up to 50%. The goal is to produce around 200,000 tpy by 2024 and to double production by 2030."

As MRC wrote earlier, Eni is evaluating conversion of its Livorno refinery in northwest Italy into a biorefinery, as part of the Italian company's wider strategy to make its activities more environmentally sustainable. Eni has already converted two of its Italian refineries and is looking to almost double its biorefining capacity to around 2 million mt/year by 2024, and expand this to at least five times by 2050, as part of its pledge to achieve complete carbon neutrality by 2050.

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 2,265,290 tonnes in the first eleven months of 2021, up by 14% year on year. Shipments of all grades of ethylene polymers increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market were 1,363,850 tonnes in January-November, 2021, up by 25% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and block-copolymers of propylene (PP block copolymers) increased, whereas supply of injection moulding PP random copolymers decreased significantly.

Eni, abbreviation of Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi, in full Eni SpA, Italian energy company operating primarily in petroleum, natural gas, and petrochemicals. Established in 1953, it is one of Europe's largest oil companies in terms of sales.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Linde’s fourth-quarter 2021 adjusted operating profit rose by 14% year on year, driven by higher pricing, strong volumes and productivity initiatives, said the company.

Sales revenue was also up by 14% on higher pricing and volumes, mostly from the electronics, chemicals and energy end markets. "The Linde team delivered another quarter of record financial results by growing EPS [earnings per share] 20%, operating cash flow 33% and increasing ROC [return on capital] to 17.7% - all while positioning the company for future growth with a contractually secured project backlog of USD13bn," said CEO Steve Angel.

For the full year of 2021, sales increased by 13% to USD30.8bn while adjusted operating profit rose by 24% to USD7.2bn. Angel, who steps down as CEO next month, was optimistic on the company’s outlook. "Looking ahead, the economic outlook remains uncertain. However, I have confidence in our ability to grow EPS double-digit percent from our industry-leading supply network and project backlog," he said.

Linde has signed a long-term agreement with BASF to supply BASF’s planned hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) project in Chalampe, France, with hydrogen and steam. As part of the contract, Linde will design, build, own and operate a new hydrogen production facility at Chalampe, doubling its capacity there. The new Linde plant is expected onstream in the first half of 2024. Financial details were not disclosed.

We remind, BASF, SABIC and Linde have signed a joint agreement to develop and demonstrate solutions for electrically heated steam cracker furnaces. The partners have already jointly worked on concepts to use renewable electricity instead of the fossil fuel gas typically used for the heating process.

As per MRC, JSC SIBUR-Neftekhim and JSC Linde Gas Rus signed an agreement on the utilization of carbon dioxide formed in the technological process of SIBUR.

Linde is a global leader in the production, processing, storage and distribution of hydrogen. It has the largest hydrogen liquefaction capacity and gaseous hydrogen pipeline distribution system anywhere in the world. The company operates the world's first high-purity hydrogen storage cavern plus pipeline networks totaling approximately 1,000 kilometers globally, to reliably supply its customers. Linde is at the forefront in the transition to clean hydrogen and has installed 200 hydrogen fueling stations and 80 hydrogen electrolysis plants worldwide. The company offers the latest electrolysis technology through its world class engineering organization, key alliances and partnerships.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Toyo Engineering Corporation has been awarded the project to construct a polyacetal (POM) plant in Nantong, China from a newly established Chinese subsidiary of Polyplastics Co., Ltd, according to Hydrocarbonprocessing.

Upon the high demand of POM in the market of China and Asia, Polyplastics Co., Ltd has decided to invest for the new construction of POM plant in China. Toyo’s extensive experience in China, and established performance led to receiving the order from the client.

Toyo intends to continuously support the customer’s investment in China, especially for the petrochemical, specialty chemicals products and fine chemicals fields.

As MRC reported earlier, in January 2021, Toyo Engineering and SCG Chemicals in Thailand entered into a MOU relating to the joint collaboration for improving the process of turning mixed post-consumer plastics into recycled feedstock for petrochemical businesses. The process is owned by Circular Plas (CirPlas), which SCG Chemicals hold a 60% stake. CirPlas has already operated the demonstration plant for the advanced recycling process in Rayong province, Thailand.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 2,265,290 tonnes in the first eleven months of 2021, up by 14% year on year. Shipments of all grades of ethylene polymers increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market were 1,363,850 tonnes in January-November, 2021, up by 25% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and block-copolymers of propylene (PP block copolymers) increased, whereas supply of injection moulding PP random copolymers decreased significantly.
MRC

1. Evergreen acquires two more PET recycling plants and expands capacities to meet stronger demand

MOSCOW (MRC) -- To meet growing demand, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) reclaimer Evergreen has recently bought a pair of facilities and added another extruder to an expansion project, according to Plastics Recysling Update. A plastics recycling and manufacturing company owned by The Sterling Group, Evergreen had a single facility in Clyde, Ohio in January 2021. It bought CarbonLite’s first PET recycling facility in Riverside, Calif. in May 2021 after CarbonLite filed for bankruptcy. Evergreen announced Feb. 9 that it purchased UltrePET in Albany, N.Y. and Novapet in Amherst, Nova Scotia, in November 2021. UltrePET, now named Evergreen Albany, and Novapet, now named Evergreen Amherst, were acquired from wTe Corp. The acquisitions will allow Evergreen to expand its overall production capacity from about 40 million pounds a year to 147 million pounds of food-grade RPET.

MRC