Other news
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.
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.
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
BASF expands vitamin A plant in Ludwigshafen
Ludwigshafen, Germany – BASF has started the expansion of its vitamin A plant at the company’s Ludwigshafen site. The new production building expands the existing vitamin A plant, which went into operation in 1970. In total, about 600 machines and devices, 4,000 pipelines and 5,000 measuring points will be integrated into the process control system until the planned commissioning at the end of 2020. Approximately 20 new jobs are being created. With the expansion of the plant, first announced in 2016, BASF is increasing its annual capacity of pure vitamin A by 1,500 metric tons. BASF already is one the world’s leading manufacturers of vitamin A, which is used by the human and animal nutrition industries as well as the personal care sector.
“The world-scale plant will enable us to support our customers’ growth plans. At the same time, it contributes to the competitiveness of the site as it is currently the second largest investment project in Ludwigshafen after the acetylene plant,” said Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE and Site Director of Ludwigshafen.
