LyondellBasell's polyolefin technology selected for Dongming Shenghai chemical complex in China

LyondellBasell announced that Dongming Shenghai Co., Ltd., will use the LyondellBasell Spheripol, Hostalen Advanced Cascade Process and Lupotech T technologies for its new facility, said the company.

The process technology will be used for a 350 kilotons per annum (KTA) Spheripol polypropylene plant, a 400 KTA Hostalen ACP high-density polyethylene plant and a 200 KTA Lupotech T vinyl acetate copolymer plant, to be built in Heze City, Shandong Province, P.R. China.

“We are delighted that Dongming Shenghai has awarded LyondellBasell these substantial licenses for the production of an extensive range of polyolefins,” said Neil Nadalin, Director of Licensing at LyondellBasell. Nadalin added: “Dongming Shenghai’s technology selection will enable them to produce durable benchmark polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) products using the LyondellBasell Spheripol and Hostalen ACP low pressure processes and the Lupotech T vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) process technology will enable them to be an active contributor to the global energy transition”.

Mr. Gao Zhi Qiang, General Manager of Dongming Shenghai said, “Working with the leading global licensor in polyolefin catalyst and process technology gives us additional confidence that the project will become a full success even in a complex market environment. In particular the focus on durable grades, the LYB extensive catalyst range, and the ability to produce EVA photovoltaic encapsulant materials, was a key process technology selection criteria for us”.

Spheripol technology is the leading polypropylene (PP) process technology with more than 33 million tons of licensed capacity. The latest fifth generation Spheripol technology includes process improvements that further maximize operational efficiency. The plant will commence operations using Avant ZN catalyst.

The Hostalen ACP process technology manufactures high performance, multi-modal HDPE resins with an industry-leading stiffness/toughness balance, impact resistance, high stress cracking resistance and process advantages used in pressure pipe, film and blow molding applications. The Hostalen ACP plant will commence operations using Avant Z501 and Avant Z509-1 catalysts to produce a full range of multi-modal HDPE products.

Decades of experience in high-pressure application design makes the Lupotech T process the preferred technology for LDPE/EVA plant operators. High conversion rates, demonstrated high plant availability and effective process heat integration are key attributes of the Lupotech T process, designed to ensure this technology’s energy efficiency. More than 15 million KTA of the Lupotech T process for LDPE/EVA production capacity has been licensed by LyondellBasell in over 70 lines around the world.

New licensees have the option of joining the LYB Technical Service Program. Through this program, they can benefit from the LYB in-house expertise of continuous production improvement, sustainable product development and catalyst.

We remind, LyondellBasell, a global leader in the chemical industry, is proud to announce the establishment of a new distribution hub in the United Kingdom for its Polyolefins grades. This strategic move is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the customer experience by placing inventories closer to our customers’ facilities reducing lead times on orders.

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Seaborne diesel and gasoil exports from Russian ports rose 8.5% in November from a month earlier to about 2.8 Mmt after an export ban was lifted and production grew, data from traders and LSEG showed, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

Russia temporarily banned exports of diesel from Sept. 21 to cope with a domestic shortage. The embargo was partially lifted on Oct. 9, with Russia resuming ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) exports via Transneft pipelines. On Nov. 22 Russia lifted a ban on exports of summer diesel.

In the first three weeks of November, diesel output from Russian refineries rose by almost 11% from an average October level to 238,120 tons per day, Reuters sources said.

Russian ULSD shipments to Brazil hit a record high in November, data from traders and LSEG showed. Russian diesel has replaced a large amount of Brazil's supplies, which were previously sourced from the U.S., traders said.

Russia has diverted its diesel supplies to Brazil, Turkey, African and Asian countries after a full European Union embargo on Russian oil products went into effect in February this year. According to LSEG shipping data, at least 0.93 million tons of diesel were loaded in November in Russian ports, mainly the Baltic port of Primorsk, and were now heading to Brazil.

Most of those cargoes will arrive in Brazilian ports in December. Between January and November ULSD shipments from Russian ports to Brazil have totaled 5.8 million metric tons, while diesel supplies from the U.S. have fallen to 2.25 million metric tons, after 5.9 million metric tons in the first 11 months of 2022, LSEG data showed.

Russian diesel and gasoil seaborne exports to Turkey rose 16% month-on-month in November to 750,000 metric tons, according to shipping data. Last month about 550,000 metric tons of diesel and gasoil from Russian ports were heading to African countries, including Libya, Togo, Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast, LSEG data showed.

Another 155,000 metric tons of diesel from Russia in November was destined for ship-to-ship transfers near the Greek port of Kalamata. The final destinations for these cargoes is not yet known. About 200,000 metric tons of diesel has no confirmed destination yet.

All the above shipping data are based on the date of cargo departure.

We remind, Egypt's Suez Canal economic zone and Scatec ASA have signed a memorandum of understanding worth $1.1 B to supply ships with green fuel, a Suez Canal statement said on Sunday. The MoU agreed on the sidelines of the COP28 conference held in Dubai envisages production of 100,000 tons of green methanol per year by 2027, the statement said.

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Kuwait’s mega Al-Zour refinery is now fully operational, Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Co. announced on Sunday, as per Bloomberg.

Bringing online the third of the three mini refineries that make up Al-Zour will gradually take the facility’s refining capacity to 615,000 barrels a day from a current 410,000 barrels a day, KIPIC chief executive officer, Waleed Al-Bader, said in a statement.

The plant was shut down last month after a fuel gas feed was cut off. The delay in reaching full operation was due to an issue with a unit, a person familiar with the matter said at the time.

Al-Zour, which is one of the biggest oil-processing facilities in the Middle East, will boost the nation’s refining capacity to about 1.5 million barrels a day.

We remind, Egypt's Suez Canal economic zone and Scatec ASA have signed a memorandum of understanding worth $1.1 B to supply ships with green fuel, a Suez Canal statement said on Sunday. The MoU agreed on the sidelines of the COP28 conference held in Dubai envisages production of 100,000 tons of green methanol per year by 2027, the statement said.

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AkzoNobel and Kansai Paint have mutually agreed not to proceed with the company's intended acquisition of Kansai's paints and coatings activities in Africa, said the company.

Commenting on the decision, AkzoNobel CEO, Greg Poux-Guillaume, says: “It's disappointing that this intended acquisition cannot move forward, but we remain committed to our strong businesses and leading brands in Africa. As AkzoNobel’s performance rebound gathers pace, we'll remain focused on our key priorities, including the strengthening of our balance sheet, which will be accelerated.”

The two companies have agreed that no break-up fee will be involved.

We remind, AkzoNobel launches industry’s first architectural powder coating that can be cured at temperatures as low as 150°C while still being Qualicoat class one certified. Curing at temperatures 30°C lower than traditional powder coatings means that Interpon D1036 Low-E can help customers cut energy consumption by as much as 20%.

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The Chemours Company and Advanced Performance Materials announces that it, along with DuPont de Nemours Inc and Corteva Inc, have reached settlement agreement with the State of Ohio for $110 M to resolve claims associated with the manufacture and sale of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), said the company.

The agreement resolves the State’s claims relating to releases of PFAS from the companies’ facilities including the Washington Works facility located along the Ohio-West Virginia border. The agreement also resolves claims relating to the manufacture and sale of PFAS-containing products and the State’s claims related to aqueous film-forming foam (“AFFF”). Of the $110 million total payment, 80% will be allocated by the State for conduct related to discharges from Washington Works, and the remaining 20% for other PFAS claims statewide, including AFFF.

Consistent with the binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva agreed in January 2021, Chemours will be responsible for 50% of the settlement costs, or $55 million, with DuPont and Corteva responsible for the remaining 50%.

Chemours believes this settlement furthers its objective to manage and resolve legacy liabilities, consistent with our MOU framework in coordination with DuPont and Corteva.

We remind, Chemours Company has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Glycolic Acid business for USD137 M in cash to PureTech Scientific, a company founded and backed by Iron Path Capital, a private equity firm focused on lower-middle market investments across the speciality industrial and healthcare sectors. The Chemours Company is a chemistry company with market positions in titanium technologies, thermal & specialized solutions, and advanced performance materials.

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