Wanhua Chemical Applies for a Silicone Polymer Patent

On December 7, 2023, according to an announcement from the State Intellectual Property Office of China, Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. applied for a project called "a silicone polymer, preparation method and application in release agent.", said Echemi.

Publication number CN117164861A, application date is September 2023. The patent abstract shows that the present invention discloses a silicone polymer, a preparation method and its application in a release agent. The preparation method of the silicone polymer includes the following steps:

1) Add tetravinyltetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane dropwise into tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and a hydrosilylation reaction occurs under the action of catalysis to obtain an organic silicon intermediate;

2) Add the organic silicon intermediate dropwise to the vinyl-terminated polyorganosiloxane, and a hydrosilylation reaction will occur under the action of catalysis to obtain an organic silicon polymer.

The release agent prepared according to the silicone polymer in the present invention has the characteristics of good curing performance, good sliding property, stable aging release force, high residual adhesion rate, good anti-fogging property and excellent anti-sticking property.

As a chemical giant, Wanhua Chemical’s current silicone-related products mainly include the following series.

We remind, On December 1, Wanhua Chemical’s official website released a draft environmental impact report for the project. The company will build a new 400,000 tons/year polyolefin elastomer device and supporting public auxiliary projects and auxiliary facilities in Penglai Chemical Industrial Park Wanhua Penglai Industrial Park.

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Canada unveiled planned regulations to limit emissions from the oil and gas sector using a cap-and-trade system, fulfilling a promise by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government to cut emissions in its most polluting sector, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

Here are details on the proposed regulations: Cap-and-trade is a market-based system where the regulator limits emissions and issues emissions allowances that producers can use if they exceed the cap. The government proposes to cap 2030 emissions at 35% to 38% below 2019 levels, or at 106 to 112 megatons compared with 171 megatons in 2019, while providing compliance flexibilities - or allowances - to emit up to a level about 20% of 23% below 2019 levels, or up to 131 to 137 megatons.

In 2021, the oil and gas sector was the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 28% of total national emissions with 189 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2 eq) emitted, according to official data. In 2021, the sector's GHG emissions were 3% higher than in 2020. Over the period from 1990 to 2021, the sector's GHG emissions increased by 88%.

Each emission allowance would be equivalent to one ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Emission allowances issued under the cap-and-trade regulations would not be fungible with other carbon pricing systems or regulatory instruments. Allowances will initially be free.

We remind, Maersk is about to launch the first of its 18 large methanol-enabled vessels currently on order. On 9 February 2024, it will enter service on the AE7 string connecting Asia and Europe, which includes port calls in Shanghai, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo and Hamburg (see all port calls in the fact box below), with Ningbo, China, being its first destination.

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Indonesia state energy firm Pertamina has started an underground carbon injection trial in Sukowati field, the second site the company is testing for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The "huff and puff" tests started on Thursday with the injection of as much as 500 tons of CO2 into the Sukowati-18 well in Sukowati field in East Java province, the company said in a statement late on Thursday.

"The CO2 enhanced oil recovery hopefully can boost output in Sukowati," said Pertamina Hulu Energi development and production director, Awang Lazuardi. The field produced around 5,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) before the trial. Huff and puff is an enhanced oil recovery technique that can raise oil output by increasing the pressure of a reservoir.

Pertamina worked with Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) and Japan Petroleum Exploration Company Limited (JAPEX) to carry out the CCUS tests in Sukowati field. Pertamina aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 and has been exploring CCUS technology with several partners including Exxon Mobil and Chevron to offset emissions and boosts its oil and gas production.

Aside from the trials in Sukowati and Jatibarang field, Pertamina is looking to develop carbon capture and storage (CCS) or CCUS in six other locations in Indonesia. The energy ministry is drafting a regulation on CCS and CCUS implementation to encourage oil and gas operators to install carbon capture facilities at their operations by making them commercially viable.

We remind, Pertamina expects to complete the capacity upgrade at its Balikpapan refinery in April next year, Nicke Widyawati, chief executive of Pertamina, the parent company of PHE. Pertamina is expanding Balikpapan's capacity to 360,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from 260,000 bpd currently. The refinery would also be able to produce fuel to Euro V emission standards.

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Mexican state-owned oil company Petroleos Mexicanos is working to nail down the start-up date at its newest refinery, months after the government said it had begun early output to ramp up to full capacity by December, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The Dos Bocas refinery, in the Gulf state of Tabasco, was set to be fully operational and close to producing commercial-grade diesel and gasoline this month, former Energy Minister Rocio Nahle said in September.

The refinery, which is to process 340,000 barrels per day (bpd) at full capacity, has said it had received its first load of crude and begun refining it.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador had also said the refinery, with a price tag which has more than doubled the initial estimate of $8 billion, would be producing tens of thousands of barrels a day by the end of the year.

Both deadlines were met with skepticism from analysts and the top Pemex executives who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noting that a series of pipeline connections and tests are needed at the refining before it can ramp up production. Pemex said late Wednesday the refinery was still being inspected.

Pemex CEO Octavio Romero visited the site "with the objective of reviewing how the facilities will operate and planning start-up dates for the project," the oil firm said on its X social media account. Pemex did immediately not respond to a request for comment.

Romero was still in Tabaso on Thursday, a source told Reuters. He met with Lopez Obrador earlier this week at the refinery. Neither the government nor Pemex have given further insight into the refinery's status. Mexico has for years struggled with its expensive, obsolete refining system, and the president has heavily propped up the indebted oil company during his administration.

With its six active domestic refineries, Pemex is processing less than half of its combined capacity of 1.6 million bpd. Lopez Obrador had promised to achieve fuel self-sufficiency by 2024, when his term ends. In addition to Dos Bocas, Pemex purchased a refinery in Texas and is building two coker plants, though Pemex continues to import massive quantities of gasoline and diesel.

We remind, Maersk is about to launch the first of its 18 large methanol-enabled vessels currently on order. On 9 February 2024, it will enter service on the AE7 string connecting Asia and Europe, which includes port calls in Shanghai, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo and Hamburg (see all port calls in the fact box below), with Ningbo, China, being its first destination.

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INEOS has announced an agreement with LyondellBasell to buy its Ethylene Oxide and Derivatives business including the Bayport Underwood site, Texas, said the company.

The deal includes the 420 kt Ethylene Oxide plant, the 375 kt Ethylene Glycols plant and the 165kt Glycol Ethers plant together with all associated third-party business on the site, for $700 million.

Ethylene Oxide plays an essential role in the day-to-day life of millions of people. It is a key raw material used in large-scale chemical production around the world. It is necessary for the production of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, semiconductors, polyester, food packaging, construction materials, antifreeze, brake fluids, solvents, paints, soap and detergents.

The first site acquired by INEOS in 1998 was the Ethylene Oxide facility at Zwijndrecht Belgium. As a key raw material, this Ethylene Oxide facility became the foundation from which INEOS has grown its chemicals business.

Tobias Hannemann, CEO INEOS Oxide said, "We are pleased to announce this strategic acquisition. INEOS is a leading producer in Europe and this significant step expands its Ethylene Oxide & Derivatives business into the US, which is the world’s largest market. It also complements our existing Ethanolamines production facility in Plaquemine, Louisiana.

There is free land on the Bayport Underwood site for INEOS’ growth aspirations and it is an ideal location to develop our third-party business supporting customers to co-locate and integrate into an existing Ethylene Oxide & Derivatives platform. We look forward to welcoming the business, site and team of very professional and highly motivated people into the global INEOS group.”

The LyondellBasell Ethylene Oxide & Derivatives site in Bayport Underwood produces high-quality ethylene oxide and derivatives. The fully integrated platform has access to cost advantaged US energy, feedstocks and logistics networks, and has both an excellent performance record and reputation in the market.

“This transaction is evidence of our disciplined focus on value creation through the execution of a key pillar of our strategy – growing and upgrading our core,” said Peter Vanacker, LyondellBasell CEO. “We remain proud of the positive cash generation, access to advantaged feedstocks, reliability and highly skilled team that makes up the EO&D business and are excited to have reached an agreement with INEOS to enable the business to continue generating value under different ownership.”

All current employees on the LyondellBasell Bayport Underwood Site and some who work offsite, will transfer over to INEOS on completion of the transaction.

Target completion is the second quarter of 2024, subject to regulatory and other third-party approvals, at which point INEOS will acquire a site with world class assets, leading production facilities and a successful and experienced team.

We remind, INEOS has announced it has completed the acquisition of the Eastman Texas City site, the 600kt Acetic Acid plant and all associated third party activities, from Eastman Chemical Company. As previously announced, Eastman and INEOS have also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to explore options for a long-term supply agreement for vinyl acetate monomer.

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