Mitsubishi Chemical and Toyota Tsusho to jointly study ethylene, propylene and their derivatives production from bioethanol

Mitsubishi Chemical and Toyota Tsusho to jointly study ethylene, propylene and their derivatives production from bioethanol

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) and Toyota Tsusho Corporation have begun a joint-consideration to manufacture and sale ethylene, propylene, and their derivatives using bioethanol as a raw material, with an aim to commence operation in 2025, according to Indian CHEMICAL News.

There is a growing need for plastic reuse and recycling to achieve the realization of a sustainable recycling-oriented society. There are also strong expectations for realizing a sustainable life cycle by using plant-derived materials.

MCC and Toyota Tsusho are working on the commercialization of various recycling processes and aim to realize a recycling-oriented society by switching from raw materials derived from fossil fuels to plant-derived materials.

In order to make a wide range of products more sustainable, including products which are generally difficult to collect and recycle among packaging/containers and sanitary goods, both companies have decided to examine how to commercialize the manufacture and sale of ethylene, propylene, and their derivatives made from plant-derived raw materials.

MCC and Toyota Tsusho will evaluate the manufacture of 100% plant-derived ethylene (bioethylene) and its derivatives using bioethanol as a raw material, and the manufacture and sale of the first plant-derived propylene in Japan (biopropylene) and its derivatives using bioethylene as its raw material.

Both companies will investigate the market need for bioethylene, biopropylene, and their derivatives and conduct a concrete feasibility assessment with an aim to commercialize by 2025.

As MRC reported earlier, in February 2022, MCC and its subsidiary, Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates (MCM announced plans to design and build a pilot plant to further validate the technology. Three possible pathways to creating sustainable MMA, including the molecular recycling of acrylic resin; substituting conventional materials with drop-in plant-derived raw materials in the existing MMA monomer manufacturing process; and the direct production of MMA monomers from plant-derived raw materials by fermentation were explored. The promising results using the drop-in route have now led to the decision to commence with the design process for a new pilot plant using this technology.

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 2,487,450 tonnes in 2021, up by 13% year on year. Shipments of all grades of ethylene polymers increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market totalled 1,494.280 tonnes, up by 21% year on year. Deliveries of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased, whreas.shipments of PP random copolymers decreased significantly.

The Japanese integrated chemical company Mitsubishi Chemical was established on October 1, 1990 as a result of the merger of Mitsubishi Kasei and Mitsubishi Petrochemical Co. Due to the wide scope of its activities, it is one of the ten leading chemical companies in the world.
MRC

Honeywell announces technology to increase ethylene production and improve naphtha steam cracker profitability

Honeywell announces technology to increase ethylene production and improve naphtha steam cracker profitability

Honeywell announced an integrated olefin suite (IOS) of technologies that can increase ethylene production and improve profitability when added to a naphtha steam cracker. IOS provides customers the ability to improve return on investment, increase operating profits, opportunity to reduce CO2 footprint and increase the level of control over by-products, according to Hydrocarbonprocessing.

IOS features a collection of commercially proven technologies that create a step change in naphtha cracker performance. By economically improving the quality of naphtha cracker feeds, the yield of ethylene is increased and the production of lower-value by-products are reduced.

IOS includes three main sections. The feed optimization section transforms typical naphthas into a naphtha cracker feedstock that is rich in normal paraffins. Normal paraffins increase the yield of ethylene and decrease the yield of most by-products which is expected to generate a more valuable product slate.

The co-processing section significantly increases propylene by processing propane, generated in the feed optimization section and from other feed sources, in a UOP Oleflex unit. When compared to processing propane in a steam cracking unit, the Oleflex process provides a much higher yield to light olefins, while also generating significant amounts valuable hydrogen.

The by-products handling section includes additional processing solutions that can be used to increase, decrease or eliminate the production of by-products such as butadiene, butenes and benzene to match the customer’s strategic objectives.

As MRC reported earlier, in February 2022, TotalEnergies and Honeywell announced an agreement to promote the development of advanced plastic recycling. Under this agreement, Honeywell will supply TotalEnergies with recycled polymer feedstock (RPF) using Honeywell’s UpCycle process technology at the recently announced Honeywell and Sacyr advanced recycling plant, intended to be built in Andalucia, Spain. TotalEnergies will purchase and convert this raw material into virgin-quality polymers, which could be used for food-grade packaging and other high demanding applications.

We remind that in January 2022, Honeywell announced that Lukoil -Permnefteorgsintez, a subsidiary of Lukoil, will use a range of Honeywell UOP process technologies at its refinery to convert low value vacuum gasoil into high value products such as gasoline and propylene.

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 2,487,450 tonnes in 2021, up by 13% year on year. Shipments of all grades of ethylene polymers increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market totalled 1,494.280 tonnes, up by 21% year on year. Deliveries of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased, whreas.shipments of PP random copolymers decreased significantly.
MRC

SIBUR chief steps down after his inclusion in EU and UK sanctions

SIBUR chief steps down after his inclusion in EU and UK sanctions

Dmitry Konov steps down as the Chairman of PSJC SIBUR Holding’s Management Board, from PJSC SIBUR Holding’s Board of Directors, and from the Management Boards at PJSC SIBUR Holding and SIBUR LLC, according to the company's press release.

Upon completion of all necessary corporate procedures, powers of PSJC SIBUR Holding’s Management Board will be transferred to PSJC SIBUR Holding’s Board of Directors and to the Management Board of SIBUR LLC, PSJC SIBUR Holding’s management company.

These organisational changes are made following Dmitry Konov’s nclusion in the EU and UK sanctions lists and are set to improve resilience of SIBUR’s business as one of the fastest-growing global petrochemical players.

As MRC informed before, Tomskneftekhim, NIOST, Biaxplen, SIBUR Digital moved 50% of the administrative and management personnel to a remote work format until 13 February. Such measures are being taken in preparation for the wave of the omicron strain of coronavirus infection. So, from January 24, restrictions on business trips were also introduced: they are possible only if it is necessary for production and after agreement with the CEO. Before the trip and after - mandatory PCR testing.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 2,487,450 tonnes in 2021, up by 13% year on year. Shipments of all grades of ethylene polymers increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market totalled 1,494.280 tonnes, up by 21% year on year. Deliveries of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased, whreas. Shipments of PP random copolymers decreased significantly.

SIBUR is the largest vertically integrated gas processing and petrochemical company in Russia, uniting a number of production sites in various regions of the Russian Federation. The company sells products to consumers in the fuel and energy complex, automotive, construction, consumer goods, chemical and other industries in more than 80 countries around the world.
MRC

Sulzer Chemtech to provide its BioFlux technology for renewable energy complex in Malaysia

Sulzer Chemtech to provide its BioFlux technology for renewable energy complex in Malaysia

Sulzer Chemtech will provide a BioFlux technology package to support the creation of the Sabah Maju Jaya Renewable Energy Industrial Complex (SMJREIC) in Malaysia, according to Hydrocarbonprocessing.

This new facility will produce sustainable fuels with limited GHG emissions by using locally-sourced, renewable feedstock.

By leveraging Sulzer Chemtech’s technology, the new plant located at Sapangar Bay, Kota Kinabalu, will have a production capacity of 250,000 tpy.

Vandelay Ventures has preselected Sulzer Chemtech (GTC Technology) to be the preferred process technology provider for the main processes at the 10,000 m2 processing complex. This will utilize plant-based oils for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel (HVO) and renewable naphtha as a byproduct.

More precisely, the SMJREIC’s infrastructure will rely on the proprietary BioFlux technology offered by Sulzer Chemtech in cooperation with Duke Technologies for the conversion of various pretreated feedstocks to either HVO or SAF while generating lower emissions than conventional processes.

The unit will complement the centralized edible oil bulking terminal, which will have a capacity of 30,000 tpy, and supply high-quality feed to the HVO/SAF plant, with capacity of 250,000 tpy. In addition, Sulzer Chemtech will provide engineering services as well as installation, commissioning and startup support.

As MRC reported before, earlier this year, Sulzer Chemtech finalized an agreement with Encina Development Group, LLC to provide technology to recover high purity circular aromatics from cracked oil products derived from Encina’s mixed-plastics-to-aromatics catalytic conversion platform. Encina’s 1000 tpd waste plastics recycling facility will be located in Northeast US, and is expected to be operational in 2024.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 2,487,450 tonnes in 2021, up by 13% year on year. Shipments of all grades of ethylene polymers increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market totalled 1,494.280 tonnes, up by 21% year on year. Deliveries of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased, whreas.shipments of PP random copolymers decreased significantly.
MRC

Kraton Corporation completes merger with DL Chemical

Kraton Corporation completes merger with DL Chemical

Kraton Corporation ("Kraton") announced that the merger pursuant to which DL Chemical Co., Ltd. (DL Chemical) acquired Kraton, has been completed on March 15, 2022. DL Chemical acquired Kraton in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately USD2.5 bn, said the company.

The merger enables Kraton to strengthen its global presence by leveraging DL Chemical's manufacturing capabilities and footprint in the Asian market, along with its financial strength, allowing Kraton to further invest in industry-leading sustainable innovation. The merger also accelerates both DL Chemical's and Kraton's vision of being a global leader of specialty chemicals.

The transaction was announced on September 27, 2021, and received Kraton stockholder approval on December 9, 2021. As a result of the transaction completion, Kraton is now a wholly owned subsidiary of DL Chemical. Effective today, Mr. Marcello Boldrini and Dr. Holger Jung will lead Kraton as Co-Chief Executive Officers, overseeing Kraton's Chemical and Polymer segments, respectively.

As per MRC, Sabic has announced a new collaboration with Kraton to deliver certified renewable butadiene from its TRUCIRCLE portfolio for use in Kraton’s certified renewable styrenic block copolymers.

Kraton Corporation is a leading global producer of specialty polymers and high-value performance products derived from renewable resources. Kraton's polymers are used in a wide range of applications, including adhesives, coatings, consumer and personal care products, sealants and lubricants, and medical, packaging, automotive, paving and roofing products.
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