WTO agrees dispute panel to review EU import duties on Indonesian biodiesel

MRC- - World Trade Organization's dispute settlement body has agreed to establish a panel to review countervailing duties imposed by the European Union on imports of biodiesel from Indonesia, the global trade body said late on Monday, said Hyrocarbonprocessing.

Indonesia has requested WTO dispute consultations with the EU regarding the bloc's imposition of duties on imports of biodiesel from the Southeast Asia nation in August. However after the consultation failed to reach an agreement, last month the world's biggest palm oil producer requested WTO to establish a dispute settlement body, which EU previously did not accept.

"Efforts to appeal this case to the WTO are very strategic to maintain market access for Indonesian biodiesel products in the EU market which is currently subject to countervailing duties of 8% to 18%," said Budi Santoso, senior official at Indonesian trade ministry on Tuesday.

The countervailing duties were imposed for five years December 10, 2019 up to December 10, 2024, Budi added. Indonesian biofuel producers association said the duties have been burdening Indonesian biodiesel exporters and hoped for the WTO panel could immediately start the proceedings, the group chairperson Paulus Tjakrawan told Reuters.

The WTO said late on Monday the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Russian Federation, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Canada, China, Argentina and Turkiye had reserved their third party rights to participate in the panel proceedings.

We remind, 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.

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Following the studies already conducted in 2021 on the recyclability of coextruded polyethylene/polyamide multilayer films, the independent institute cyclos-HTP GmbH has completed further extensive investigations into the recyclability of multilayer films containing polyamide 6 and ethyl vinyl alcohol copolymer, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The subjects of the studies commissioned by BASF SE are coextruded PE/PA6/EVOH high-barrier films as well as and laminated PA6/PE films in household packaging waste. It has now been demonstrated that these two film types are also compatible for recycling in the polyethylene film stream.

“The results show that PE film waste streams containing PA can be processed without significant adjustments to the recycling process. The certification confirms the standard market practice of PA-containing film waste already being recycled by film manufacturers today,” says Dr. Matthias Zorn, Senior Manager Market Development Polyamides for extrusion applications at BASF.”

The compatibilizer, which is incorporated additionally into laminated structures to enable distribution of the PA component in the PE matrix, plays an important role. In coextruded structures, the already present tie layer used to bond PA and PE in the film becomes an effective compatibilizer during the recycling process. “If additional functionalized polyethylene (PE-g-MAH) is also added as a compatibilizer during primary film production, the polyamide is even recognized as a valuable material in the polyethylene recyclate by cyclos-HTP,” says Zorn.

The study on adhesive-laminated PE/PA films, which was set up in cooperation with SUDPACK, a leading manufacturer of high-performance films, clearly shows how these films, which were previously considered non-recyclable, can also be made recycling compatible. In this project, a laminating adhesive from Henkel was used. Based on the new studies, a broad portfolio of PA-containing packaging can now be certified as recycling compatible.

Due to their unique property profile, polyamides reduce the amount of material used in packaging applications and therefore help to reduce packaging waste. They also improve the mechanical, thermal and processing properties of the packaging. While PE/PA/EVOH films are used in many cheese and sausage packagings requiring a high oxygen barrier, laminated structures are mainly found in printed film packaging in this segment.

Last year, the German minimum standard for determining the recyclability of packaging subject to system participation pursuant to Section 21 (3) VerpackG already recognized the recyclability of coextruded PE/PA films. The certification is another important fundament for a fact-based classification of polyamides in packaging. The results are made available both to the CEN standardization group, which is developing a “Design for Recycling” guideline at European level, and to the Central Agency Packaging Register, which sets the German minimum standard for assessing recyclability every year.

We remind, 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.

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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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