Covestro and Encina reach an agreement for a long-term supply of circular raw materials

Covestro, a global leader in high performance polymers, and Encina, a US-based producer of ISCC PLUS certified circular chemicals, reached a long-term supply agreement for chemically recycled, circular feedstock derived from post-consumer end-of-life plastic, said the company.

Specifically, Encina will supply Covestro with benzene and toluene pending the completion of Encina’s world-scale production facility, anticipated to come online at the end of 2027.

Building upon previous sustainable sourcing efforts, this marks the first major procurement agreement involving chemically recycled, circular-based raw materials for Covestro, a major step in the company’s journey towards full circularity. It also helps reduce scope 3 emissions for Covestro and its customers.

"The ability to source raw materials from used plastics for the manufacture of our products makes a decisive contribution to realizing our vision of a circular economy," said Thorsten Dreier, Chief Technology Officer at Covestro. "This is because such raw materials not only enable the reuse of used plastics, but also have a lower carbon footprint, which leads to more sustainable end products."

Benzene and toluene are important raw materials in Covestro’s manufacturing processes used for the production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI), respectively. MDI and TDI are critical raw materials used to produce rigid and flexible polyurethane foams, which are used in applications such as household appliance and building insulation as well as furniture and car seats.

Benzene can also be used for the synthesis of phenol and acetone – raw materials for making polycarbonate plastics such as Makrolon®, which are used in high-quality applications for the automotive, electronics, IT and other industries.

Encina’s proven proprietary catalytic technology produces circular feedstock with a lower carbon footprint when compared to those based on fossil fuels and an exceptionally high yield.

"Encina is proud to be working with Covestro, a company with a long track record of innovation and commitment to sustainability. This agreement represents the beginning of what we hope to be a long-standing partnership between our companies as we work to create a truly circular economy and realize a future in which nothing is wasted," said David Roesser, Chief Executive Officer of Encina.

Covestro’s vision to become fully circular is predicated on four key drivers: the use of alternative raw materials, innovative recycling and renewable energy, as well as engaging in joint solutions. The agreement with Encina represents a pioneering milestone for incorporating innovative recycling technologies, in this case chemical recycling of end-of-life plastic, into Covestro’s production.

We remind, Covestro is investing a mid to high double-digit million euro amount in the modernization of its production plant in Dormagen by 2025. The plant was commissioned in early 2015 and is considered one of the most advanced TDI production facilities in the world due to the use of the gas phase technology developed by Covestro.

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Borouge Plc launched five new grades to meet the growing demand in the infrastructure and advanced packaging industries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, said Hydrocarbonrocessing.

The launch supports Borouge’s growth and innovation strategy by increasing its market share in the piping market in the company’s core territories, valued at nearly USD1 billion. Catering to the needs of consumers, Borouge unveiled its first-ever Bulk Continuous Filament (BCF) product, designed for fiber and carpet applications, to target a market worth USD100 million in the Middle East and North Africa region and providing strong opportunity for Borouge to grow its market share.

Commenting on the launch, Khalfan Mohamed AlMuhairi, Senior Vice President, Region Middle East, Africa and Exports, Borouge, said: “Demand for Borouge’s premium and differentiated polyolefin solutions in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific continues to grow. We plan to capitalize on trends driving the demand such as increased urbanization resulting from population growth in our core markets. Our latest solutions have been designed to not only meet the needs of modern communities, but also contribute to more sustainable production processes for our customers - increasing the energy efficiency of the manufacturing process and reducing its carbon footprint. Borouge is committed to commercial excellence driven by innovation, and we look forward to continuing to pursue new areas of growth.”

Produced using advanced Borealis Borstar® nucleation technology, the RA150E grade is the latest infrastructure solution designed for water piping applications delivering hot and cold water to homes around the world. The new solution has unmatched, long-term pressure performance, even at very high temperatures, and is fully-recyclable at the end of its 50-year life span.

Borouge’s latest infrastructure solution addresses emerging trends in the construction of modern communities, which prioritize environmental sustainability, with many developments aiming to achieve urban resilience - the measure of the adaptability of a community against environmental stresses, while positively adapting and transforming towards sustainability.

Launched as part of Borouge’s sustainable advanced packaging portfolio, the new polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) grades feature good mechanical properties and processability, designed with recyclability in mind.

We remind, Borouge Plc, a leading petrochemical company that provides innovative and differentiated polyolefin solutions, announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Petroleum Construction Company, a UAE-based Engineering, Procurement and Construction Company.

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Turkish petrochemicals company Bayegan Group is set to enhance domestic polypropylene production with a planned $1.9-B plant in Hatay province. The facility, expected to produce 450,000 tpy, aims to meet about 20% of Turkey's demand for polypropylene, a key material in the country's carpet industry, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

Bayegan's investment aligns with its strategy to expand across the value chain. The plant is projected to save Turkey approximately $500 MM annually, making it less dependent on imports and reducing costs.

The Turkish government is supporting the project with tax breaks and reduced power and labor costs, as part of efforts to boost core industries amid economic challenges, including a 65% inflation rate. The proposed site near Gaziantep, known for its carpet-making heritage, positions the project strategically.

Bayegan is exploring potential partnerships for the venture and continues discussions with export credit agencies. Construction is expected to take 34 months once the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract is signed. The initiative reflects a broader trend, with another group also developing a $1.7-B polypropylene plant nearby in Ceyhan. Turkey, a significant importer of polypropylene, seeks to strengthen its domestic production capabilities in collaboration with local and international investors.

We remind, Borouge Plc launched five new grades to meet the growing demand in the infrastructure and advanced packaging industries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The launch supports Borouge’s growth and innovation strategy by increasing its market share in the piping market in the company’s core territories, valued at nearly USD1 billion.

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MEGlobal has nominated its February 2024 monoethylene glycol (MEG) Asian Contract Price (ACP) at $850/tonne, USD10/tonne higher than its January ACP, said the company.

The price is on a CFR (cost & freight) Asia basis.

We remind, MEGlobal has nominated its January 2024 monoethylene glycol (MEG) Asian Contract Price (ACP) at $840/tonne, stable from its December ACP, a company source said. The price is on a CFR (cost & freight) Asia basis.
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Shell is set to conclude nearly a century of operations in Nigerian onshore oil and gas after agreeing to sell its subsidiary there to a consortium of five mostly local companies for up to $2.4 bn, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The British energy giant pioneered Nigeria's oil and gas business beginning in the 1930s. It has struggled for years with hundreds of onshore oil spills as a result of theft, sabotage and operational issues that led to costly repairs and high-profile lawsuits.

Since 2021, Shell has sought to sell its Nigerian oil and gas business but will remain active in Nigeria's more lucrative and less problematic offshore sector. Shell's exit is part of a broader retreat by western energy companies from Nigeria as they focus on newer, more profitable operations. Exxon Mobil, Italy's Eni and Norway's Equinor have struck deals to sell assets in the country in recent years.

The British major will sell The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) for a consideration of $1.3 billion, it said in a statement, while the buyers will make an additional payment of up to $1.1 billion relating to prior receivables at completion.

"This agreement marks an important milestone for Shell in Nigeria, aligning with our previously announced intent to exit onshore oil production in the Niger Delta, simplifying our portfolio and focusing future disciplined investment in Nigeria on our Deepwater and Integrated Gas positions," Shell head of upstream Zoe Yujnovich said.

The buyer, the Renaissance consortium comprises ND Western, Aradel Energy, First E&P, Waltersmith, all local oil exploration and production companies, and Petrolin, a Swiss-based trading and investment company.

The sale, which Renaissance confirmed, requires the approval of the Nigerian government.

Shell's SPDC Limited operates and has a 30% stake in the SPDC joint venture that holds 18 onshore and shallow water mining leases. Shell's resources in SPDC reached around 458 million barrels of oil equivalent by the end of 2022. Other partners in the joint venture are the state's Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which holds 55%, TotalEnergies, with 10% and Italy's Eni with 5%.

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