Other news
Nouryon reduces carbon dioxide emissions with additional bio-steam supply
Nouryon will increase the use of bio-steam at its salt production at Hengelo, in the Netherlands, making the production more sustainable and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
AFYREN secures over 60 million euros of financing to move into its industrial development phase
In order to offer industrial firms a reliable alternative to using acids based on oil derivatives, AFYREN has confirmed the production of bio-based organic acids on a pre-industrial scale for use with multiple applications. Today, AFYREN is launching its industrial development phase after securing total financing of 60 million euros, including a 21 million euro capital increase.
Braskem and Haldor Topsoe start up demo unit for developing renewable MEG
The mechanical completion of the innovative first process step of the demonstration plant is the first milestone to be achieved by Braskem and Haldor Topsoe’s partnership to validate the MOSAIK™ sugar-to-biochemicals solution for production of cost-competitive bio-based MEG (monoethylene glycol). Currently, MEG is made from fossil-based feedstocks, such as naphtha, gas or coal. The demonstration plant is expected to produce more than 100 tons per year of glycolaldehyde, the precursor for MEG, when it begins operation on March 1, 2019. MEG is a key component of PET plastic used for food packaging, especially bottles, and polyester fabrics. The global MEG market represents a value of 25 billion dollars.
First production of isobutene from wheat straw at demo scale
New phase for the H2020 Optisochem project after 18 months of activity. Sugars from wheat straw produced at Clariant’s Sunliquid® pre-commercial plant have been shipped to Global Bioenergies’ Leuna demo plant. Successful test runs for production of straw-based isobutene, batches delivered to INEOS for evaluation
FRX Polymers Inc. announces that it will build its first commercial plant on Bayer’s Antwerp Site.
Chelmsford, MA, FRX Polymers, Inc. announced today that it has officially signed a long term lease agreement with Bayer Antwerp for 3,000 square meters of land on Bayer’s Antwerp site, allowing FRX to build its first commercial plant on the leased property. FRX expects to break ground during August of 2012 and commission the plant during the 4th quarter 2013.
FRX is the manufacturer and marketer of a new, environmentally friendly family of inherently flame retardant plastics. Currently in the growth phase of commercializing its unique family of polyphosphonate homopolymers, copolymers, and oligomers, FRX produces plastics polymers that are tough, transparent, and possess high melt flow. FRX’s products are being sold in consumer electronics, building and construction, and transportation markets as polymeric flame retardant additives, flame retardant engineering plastics, and as reactive flame retardant additives for thermosetting resins.
FRX’s portfolio includes an extensive and growing patent estate. To date, FRX has 20 granted patents and 58 patent applications. FRX was the 2008 recipient of Frost and Sullivan’s “Innovation of the Year” award for flame retardant materials and received the first-place award in the Clean Technology Business Forum. FRX was also featured in The Economic Report, which aired on CNN and Fox Business News in 2009. FRX operates two pilot plants in Chelmsford, MA and a third larger polymer pilot plant in Switzerland. The Company is currently producing at capacity and will use part of the Series B investment to finance its first commercial plant.“The selection of Bayer’s Antwerp site is a strategic one for FRX,” said Marc Lebel, President and CEO of FRX Polymers. “Not only is the site equipped with state of the art infrastructure, but two key raw materials important for FRX are also produced by Bayer on this site. Moreover, Antwerp Port is at the heart of European chemical manufacturing, which ensures access to a highly skilled workforce and to world class logistics”.
Dr. Uwe Arndt, Managing Director at Bayer Antwerpen NV, said, “We are pleased to welcome FRX to our site. At Bayer, our mission is to improve the quality of life with sustainable and innovative materials and solutions. We believe that FRX fits that mission and that its products are a strong fit for our site”.
