Using Chemistry to Create Net-Zero Value Chains
In this interview, Charlie Tan, CEO of the Global Impact Coalition (GIC), explains the initiative’s scope and describes some key activities.
BASF
BASF to Expand Additives Plant in China
BASF is to invest in the expansion of its advanced additives plant at Nanjing, China. The expansion includes a state-of-the-art production line for the company’s high-performance controlled free radical polymerization (CFRP) dispersants used in the coatings industry. The new line is planned to start up by the end of 2025.
BASF Launched Prototype Metal Refinery for Battery Recycling in Germany
BASF has started operations at its prototype metal refinery for battery recycling in Schwarzheide, Germany. The plant enables the development of operational procedures and the optimization of innovative battery recycling technology, processing end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery production scrap, the company said.
BASF Completes Geismar Specialty Amines Expansion
BASF has completed its capacity expansion for key specialty amines manufactured at its US site in Geismar, Louisiana. The project, announced in June 2022, allows the company to increase production of polyetheramines and amine catalysts marketed under the Baxxodur and Lupragen brands.
CEFIC Anounces EU Responsible Care Award Winners
The European Chemical Industry Council, CEFIC, announced 26 companies and national associations as the key initiatives featured in the 2023 European Responsible Care Awards Gallery.
BASF Expands Ethylene Oxide Complex in Antwerp
BASF invested over €500 million to increase its production capacity by 400,000 metric tons per year. The expansion includes a world-scale ethylene oxide plant and additional capacities for EO derivatives. This investment aims to meet the rising customer demand for alkoxylates in the home care, industrial & institutional industries, and various industrial applications.
Cheniere and BASF Sign LNG Agreement
Cheniere Energy and BASF signed a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) sale and purchase agreement (SPA).
BASF and Polyester Resin Producer KHUA Cooperate in China
KHUA plans to build a production plant for high-quality powder coatings in Zhanjiang and concludes a supply agreement for the precursor neopentyl glycol with BASF.
Thyssenkrupp Uhde Wins Contract for BASF’s Surfactant Plant in Thailand
The Thailand branch of German engineering contractor Thyssenkrupp Uhde has won a contract by BASF to provide engineering services and proprietary equipment supply for its new non-ionic surfactant (NIS) plant at its Zhanjiang Verbund Site Project in Guangdong Province, China.
BASF and Yara Clean Ammonia to Study US Project
BASF and Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA), a unit of Norwegian fertilizer producer Yara, have teamed up on a joint study to develop and build a world-scale low-carbon blue ammonia production facility with carbon capture in the US Gulf Coast region.
Venture Global “on Track” to Be Germany’s Top LNG Supplier
Venture Global, a US-based exporter of LNG, which has just agreed two major supply deals with German customers, says it is on track to solidify its position as the country’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas.
BASF Breaks ground for Zhanjiang PE Plant
BASF has broken ground for its new 50,000 t/y polyethylene plant due to go on stream at its integrated production site in Zhanjiang, China, in 2025. The new facility will be its first PE unit in the People’s Republic.
Shell Reviews Singapore, Europe Assets
Shell is reviewing operations in Singapore, with a view to repurposing, selling or decommissioning assets in Bukom and Jurong Island. The energy and chemicals giant will also “high-grade and right-size” its energy and chemicals parks in Europe, which could mean plant closures.
BASF Expanding APGs at two Production Sites
To meet growing global demand, BASF is expanding output of global alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) at Bangpakong, Thailand, and Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The group also produces the mild surfactants at Düsseldorf, Germany, and Jinshan, China. In North America, it is sole manufacturer.
Second German Fluegas Capture Unit to use BASF Process
Complementing a deal recently signed with Germany’s Messer industrial gases group for a carbon dioxide recovery plant in Austria, BASF has announced that a new flue gas recovery technology based on its OASE blue process will be used by a new joint venture of industrial gases and engineering group Linde and cement producer Heidelberg Materials.
Messer and BASF Team up on CO2 Recovery
German family-owned industrial gases producer Messer has announced plans to build a carbon dioxide recovery plant at an undisclosed location in Austria, leveraging in part technology from compatriot BASF.
Germany Weighs Merits of Growing China Trade
As April winds down and major German chemical companies hold their annual shareholder meetings, questions are being asked whether about the country is tying its trade too closely to with China and repeating the same mistakes it made earlier by becoming dependent on Russian gas.
IVL Seeks new Battery Partner as Capchem Deal Folds
Thailand’s Indorama Ventures (IVL) says it is “continuing to assess” plans to build and operate a plant for “world-class” lithium-ion battery solvents at one of its petrochemical facilities on the US Gulf Coast, but no longer with Capchem USA, subsidiary of China’s Shenzen-Capchem Technology.
Cinven to Buy MBCC Admixture Assets from Sika
Private equity investor Cinven is acquiring MBCC Group’s admixture business from Swiss construction chemicals major Sika on the rebound. Earlier, the British Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had turned thumbs down on plans to sell the business to Ineos, citing antitrust concerns.
Aramco and Linde Link on Ammonia Cracking
Saudi Aramco and Linde Engineering have agreed to jointly develop new ammonia cracking technology and plan to build a demonstration plant in northern Germany.
Lummus Wins Kazakhstan Butadiene Contracts
Lummus Technology has received a contract to supply multiple technologies to Butadiene LLP for a new petrochemical complex in Atyrau, Kazakhstan.
Coolbrook and Linde Collaborate on Cracker Electrification
Finnish technology and engineering company Coolbrook has signed a partnership agreement with Germany’s Linde Engineering to develop and deploy its RotoDynamic Reactor (RDR) technology that replaces fossil fuels with clean electricity for heating the furnaces in ethylene crackers.
BASF Expands Aroma Ingredients in China, Germany
BASF is expanding its global capacity for aroma ingredients citral, menthol and lnaloon at existing locations in China and Germany. The biggest investment will involve construction of a new citral plant at its growing integrated site in Zhanjiang, China. New plants for menthol and linalool will to be built at Ludwigshafen.
BASF Plans Major Cutbacks at Ludwigshafen
Major changes are in store for BASF, as the world’s largest chemical producer comes to grips with severe pressure on profits from soaring energy prices.
Archroma to Close Huntsman Textile Effects Buy on Feb. 28
Switzerland’s Archroma said it has secured all regulatory approvals required to complete the acquisition of the Textile Effects portfolio of US chemical producer Huntsman and expects to close the transaction this week, on Feb. 28.
Solenis Closes Grand Invest Acquisition
Solenis, a US producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, has closed its acquisition of Peru’s Grand Invest. The Wilmington, Delaware-headquartered company said the purchase aligns with its direct go-to-market strategy to provide customers in the region with improved chemical and water treatment products and services.
Wintershall Dea Spoils BASF’s 2022 Performance
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 cut a huge hole in the balance sheet of German chemical giant BASF. In preliminary figures published on Jan. 17, 2023, the Ludwigshafen group said it expected to post a related net loss of nearly €1.4 billion for the full year.
Ineos to Acquire MBCC’s Admixtures Business
Ineos Enterprises has signed an agreement to buy MBCC Group’s admixture business from Sika. The deal is required by European antitrust regulators to approve Sika’s purchase of the MBCC Group, formerly BASF Construction Chemicals. The transaction is scheduled to complete in the first half of this year, subject to regulatory approvals.
BASF breaks Ground on Geismar MDI Capacity Upgrade
BASF has broken ground on the third and final phase of its expansion project for polyurethane precursor MDI at its integrated site in Geismar, Louisiana.
Shell and Partners Explore Carbon Capture in China
Shell has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BASF and Chinese state-owned groups, including chemical producer Sinopec and steel maker Baowu, to explore the feasibility of developing an open-source carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) project in East China.
Clariant Completes Attapulgite Acquisition
Swiss specialty chemicals producer Clariant has completed the takeover of BASF’s US-based attapulgite business assets.
BASF Plans European Austerity as Outlook Dims
Against the backdrop of weaker than expected third-quarter earnings – “significantly worse” in Europe and a negative result in Germany – as well as deteriorating framework conditions, BASF is launching a cost-saving program focused on those two strategic markets.
BASF and GS E&C Sign MOU for CCUS Solutions
BASF and South Korea’s GS Engineering and Construction (GS E&C) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop modular solutions for carbon capture facilities.
Fluor Wins BASF China Contracts
Fluor has been granted two reimbursable contracts worth more than $2 billion for engineering, procurement and construction management services at BASF’s ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol (EO/EG) project in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, China.
Solenis to Buy KLK Kolb’s Paper Process Chemicals
Solenis, globally oriented producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, has entered a definitive agreement with Kolb Distribution, part of KLK Kolb, to acquire Kolb’s paper process chemicals business. The deal is expected to close by the end of Q1 2023, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.
