Air Liquide selected for development of a large scale SAF project in the UK

The Lighthouse Green Fuels project is one of the first projects underway in the UK aiming to convert biogenic and non-biogenic solid wastes and residues into SAF on a large scale, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

As part of the agreement, Air Liquide Engineering & Construction will provide the license, basic engineering and FEED for the new plant with its innovative and well-referenced syngas cleaning, hydrogen purification and carbon capture (RECTISOL) technologies, which will process around one million tons of wastes and residues into SAF each year.

The plant is expected to enter commercial operation in 2028 and to fuel the equivalent of more than 25,000 short-haul or 2,500 long-haul flights a year.

This innovative development for waste processing into sustainable aviation fuel at industrial scale is driven by Air Liquide’s strong technology know-how, expertise and operational capabilities to develop innovative and customized solutions for its customers to support the energy transition.

“We are pleased to support our customer, Alfanar, to develop their innovative sustainable fuel project in the UK. This project is yet another example illustrating our expertise and broad technology portfolio to accompany our customers in decarbonization efforts in both industry and mobility sectors”

We remind, LCY Chemical is poised to recommence polypropylene (PP) production on Line 4 at its Ta-sheh City facility in Taiwan in early December. This move follows a meticulous three-week maintenance shutdown initiated on November 16, aimed at optimizing operational efficiency. Line No. 4, boasting an impressive annual production capacity of 260 thousand tons of PP, stands as a key component in LCY Chemical's production infrastructure.

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LCY Chemical is poised to recommence polypropylene (PP) production on Line 4 at its Ta-sheh City facility in Taiwan in early December, said Chemanalyst.

This move follows a meticulous three-week maintenance shutdown initiated on November 16, aimed at optimizing operational efficiency. Line No. 4, boasting an impressive annual production capacity of 260 thousand tons of PP, stands as a key component in LCY Chemical's production infrastructure.

To contextualize this development, LCY Chemical strategically adjusted its PP production load throughout October, operating at 50-60% of the nominal capacity, which is an impressive 400 thousand tons of PP per year. This calculated decision allowed the company to synchronize its production output with market dynamics and align with the impending maintenance activities on Line 4. The impending resumption of operations on Line 4 is carefully timed to restore production to its full capacity, underscoring LCY Chemical's commitment to operational excellence and responsiveness to market demands.

This strategic approach reflects LCY Chemical's proactive stance in managing production cycles, showcasing adaptability to market fluctuations and an unwavering dedication to maintaining optimal operational standards. By navigating the delicate balance between production capacity and market demands, LCY Chemical positions itself as a resilient and forward-thinking leader in the petrochemical sector.

The surge in supply underscores the evolving dynamics of the petrochemical industry, with increasing demand and a strategic push for sustainable practices. LCY Chemical's readiness to adapt to these shifting market dynamics positions it favorably, emphasizing its commitment to meeting the escalating demand for polypropylene.

As LCY Chemical readies itself for the resumption of PP production on Line 4, the timing aligns strategically with the conclusion of the scheduled maintenance period. This deliberate synchronization emphasizes the company's operational efficiency and positions it as a key contributor to Taiwan's petrochemical industry. The meticulous planning of the restart not only underscores LCY Chemical's resilience but also signifies its commitment to maintaining and exceeding high production standards.

LCY Chemical's forthcoming resumption of polypropylene production on Line 4 is not merely an operational milestone; it represents a proactive response to the ever-evolving dynamics of the petrochemical industry. The company's ability to navigate market demands, coupled with a commitment to sustainability and innovation, positions LCY Chemical as a frontrunner in Taiwan's petrochemical landscape. As it prepares to reclaim full production capacity, LCY Chemical's strategic foresight and adaptability to industry shifts are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future trajectory of the petrochemical sector.

We remind, Versalis, the petrochemical arm of Italy's Eni SpA, finds itself in the midst of unscheduled repairs as it has decided to temporarily close down its polyethylene (PE) plant in Brindisi, Italy. The impetus for this unexpected shutdown was a fire that erupted at the Brindisi plant, specifically impacting the ethylene production area. The repercussions of this incident led to the suspension of two lines, each boasting a substantial capacity of 550 thousand tons of polyethylene (PE) per year. While repair efforts are already underway, the completion date remains uncertain.


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The Isophthalic Acid prices in the US market continued to decline amidst the low demand and the declining cargo availability, impacting the overall market prices in the US domestic market, said Chemanalyst.

This decline comes after a continuous decline in feedstock prices (Mixed Xylene) fueled by a moderate demand from the PET and end-use manufacturing industries. When looking at different asset markets, it appears that sellers of Isophthalic Acid are acknowledging the possibility of a slowdown in the United States. Towards the end of the eleventh month of the year 2023, the price quotations of Isophthalic Acid were observed at USD 1332 per MT, CFR Texas.

In the last quarter of the year, the prospects for refrigerated sea trade have diminished, as cargo demand is anticipated to decrease for the second consecutive year. Additionally, transit limitations on the drought-affected Panama Canal are beginning to affect the capacity of vessels that cater to the export of Isophthalic Acid.

Cargo owners should be ready for additional charges from container shipping lines for the Panama Canal, and they should verify if their preferred shipping line guarantees slots before making commitments and completing the Isophthalic Acid demand. The challenges for these networks lie in cost and profitability, as they demand higher freight volumes to compensate for the additional drivers compared to over-the-road operations. The demand-supply gap of Isophthalic Acid in the US market is expected to remain steady amidst the slow demand.

Despite the decrease in cargo demand, reefer container freight rates continue to exhibit resilience in comparison to the broader container shipping market. The above-mentioned facets impacted the operational rate and the final selling prices of Isophthalic Acid. This pattern has persisted into the fourth quarter of 2023, and further decreases in reefer container freight rates are anticipated for the upcoming year, creating a better opportunity for Isophthalic Acid traders.

The API has disclosed a drop of 0.817 million barrels in inventories of US crude oil. This has subsequently led to a decrease in the production cost of Isophthalic Acid. The White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience unveiled the establishment of the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy (Multimodal Freight Office). This office will manage and enhance the United States freight network and supply chains. According to ChemAnalyst, the prices of Isophthalic Acid are anticipated to remain stable in the coming weeks of 2023 due to a potential decrease in new orders and a decline in feedstock prices.

We remind, Petronas Chemicals Aromatics, Malaysia's state-owned petrochemical behemoth, is strategically orchestrating a temporary shutdown of its paraxylene production facility in Kerteh, Malaysia, scheduled to commence at the end of November. This carefully planned hiatus is part of a broader initiative aimed at scheduled maintenance, designed to elevate the efficiency and reliability of the production facility. The facility, boasting a considerable capacity of 550 thousand tons of paraxylene annually, will undergo an extensive three-week maintenance period.

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BASF SE, the German chemical giant, has achieved a major breakthrough with the formal approval of $136.2 million state grant dedicated to the establishment of a green hydrogen plant at its Ludwigshafen headquarters, said Chemanalyst.

This financial endorsement signals a critical advancement for the Hy4Chem-EI project, a collaborative endeavor between BASF and Siemens Energy, propelling it into the eagerly anticipated construction phase.

The funding for this pioneering project will be sourced from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The Hy4Chem-EI initiative is designed to introduce a cutting-edge 54-megawatt proton exchange membrane electrolyser, with the capacity to produce a substantial 8,000 metric tons of hydrogen annually. The electricity essential for hydrogen generation will be derived exclusively from renewable energy sources, aligning the project with a sustainable and environmentally conscious approach.

The primary strategic objective for the hydrogen produced at the Ludwigshafen facility is to serve as a fundamental raw material for the decarbonization of BASF's chemical production processes. Additionally, a portion of the hydrogen output will be earmarked for deployment in transportation applications within the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region.

Anticipated to be among the largest of its kind in Germany upon activation, the Ludwigshafen electrolyser is expected to make significant contributions to the nation's green hydrogen landscape. The commissioning of this innovative facility is currently scheduled for the year 2025, marking a pivotal milestone in the transition towards sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions.

This recent funding approval represents a crucial milestone for the Hy4Chem-EI project, occurring approximately one year after the European Commission (EC) granted Germany the necessary approval to allocate a substantial grant to support this groundbreaking initiative. The collaborative efforts of BASF and Siemens Energy in the Hy4Chem-EI project underscore their commitment to pioneering advancements in the realm of green hydrogen technology.

As the global community intensifies efforts to combat climate change and transition towards more sustainable energy solutions, projects such as Hy4Chem-EI take center stage in contributing to a cleaner and greener future. The support garnered from governmental bodies further underscores the recognition of the project's significance in advancing the green hydrogen agenda.

BASF's success in securing funding for the Hy4Chem-EI project marks a momentous step forward in the realization of a sustainable and innovative green hydrogen facility. As construction activities commence, the project represents a beacon of progress in the broader context of green energy transition, embodying the collaborative spirit required to address environmental challenges on a global scale.

We remind, BASF Services Europe GmbH today opened its new service Hub location in Berlin. BASF will use 15,000 square meters over eight floors in the SCALE office complex in the Prenzlauer Berg district, said the company.
With around 2,800 employees, BASF Services Europe GmbH provides a wide range of business management services for BASF Group companies in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

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Civil society organisations welcome the publication of the investigation report on PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and its additives by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), said Zerowasteeurope.

The findings clearly indicate environmental damage and harm to health from some substances added to PVC and the release of its microparticles.

More than 60 environmental NGOs are calling on the European Commission to phase-out PVC by 2030. Therefore they are pushing for a restriction on the harmful plastic and its additives under the REACH regulation.

The ECHA report sheds light on the damaging health and environmental impacts that PVC poses, some of which have been known for decades. The harmfulness of its additives is highlighted. ECHA moreover confirms the existence of safe alternatives across applications. The report supports the conclusion that we need immediate action by EU policy makers to reduce the risks of PVC and its additives. We therefore ask the Commission to act on PVC, as set out in the Restrictions Roadmap under the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability, and swiftly mandate ECHA to prepare an ambitious restriction under the REACH regulation as a first step to facilitate a complete phase-out of this material by 2030.

The NGOs see the need for this restriction to not only include single problematic substances or groups of additives, but also the production, use and placing on the market of PVC itself. Only essential uses of PVC, for which no safer alternatives are available and which are needed to protect our health or safety or are critical for society – should in their view be allowed under strictly controlled conditions.

In its role as a global model for chemical regulation, we also call on the European Commission and its Member States to demand a global ban of PVC under the new Global Plastics Treaty.

The European Commission already acknowledged the risks of PVC back in 2000 in a Green Paper titled Environmental issues of PVC. Since then the scientific evidence has compounded; the lifecycle of PVC products has been associated with numerous health complications, including endocrine disruption, reproductive impairment, cancer, neurotoxicity, immune system suppression and respiratory irritation.

The NGOs trust that the Commission will take its responsibility seriously and take long-overdue action on PVC.

We remind, Asahimas Chemical, a prominent subsidiary of the renowned Japanese petrochemical giant Asahi Glass, has successfully concluded comprehensive repair operations on Vinyl Chloride Line 3 at its facility in Cilegon, Indonesia. The facility, boasting an impressive annual capacity of 400 thousand tons of Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM), underwent meticulous repair activities aimed at addressing operational challenges.

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