Evonik Expands Production Capacity of C4-based Products

Evonik Industries has strengthened its position in C4-based products and has successfully, and on time, put into operation new production plants in Antwerp (Belgium). Also in the Marl Chemical Park (Germany), the C4 capacities are being increased. For this, the company has invested a total amount in the three-digit million ranges (Euro) in the two sites. 

The new plants result in an expansion of capacities for butadiene in Antwerp, for the plasticizer alcohol Isononanol (Marl) as well as for the antiknock agent MTBE (Marl and Antwerp). According to market analyses, the global demand for these products increases by two to five percent per year. 

"By expanding our C4 capacities and the necessary and important investments into the supply of raw materials at our sites, we are sustainably strengthening our market positions. At the same time we are supporting our customers’ growth plans in Europe and worldwide," said Klaus Engel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik. 

With long-term supply contracts, Evonik has sustainably ensured the raw material supply for the operation of the new plants. As a technology leader, Evonik has also for the first time made FCC- C4 material flows from refineries usable. This demonstrates Evonik’s technological excellence on C4 and is an important contribution to a sustainable production. 

Evonik has been a globally leading provider of C4 - based products such as butadiene, MTBE, isobutene, 1-butene, INA (Isononanol) as well as 2-PH (2-propylheptanol) and DINP (diisononylphthalat) for a long time. For this, Evonik operates integrated large-scale plants for the processing of C4 raw materials. The group offers its customers long-term logistics competence and an excellent global service network. 

With the expanded production networks in Antwerp and Marl, Evonik wants to further develop and strengthen its market positions in C4 chemistry for the long-term. 

Butadiene is mainly used in synthetic rubbers, for example for the manufacturing of tires. Furthermore, there is a wide range of application for elastomer and plastics. 

The anti-knock agent MTBE (Methyl -tert.-butylether) increases the octane number of fuels in petrol engines and results in an improved combustion of fuels in the engines. This way, MTBE contributes to a better air quality. 

Isononanol (INA) is mainly used as an alcohol component in the manufacturing of PVC plasticizers. Plasticizers based on INA are characterized by excellent properties, both in the plastisol and thermoplastic processing.

About Evonik

Evonik Demonstrates Use of SILP Catalyst Systems in Plasticizer Alcohols and more

Evonik Industries demonstrated for the first time in a pilot plant that innovative SILP catalyst systems can work reliably for about 2,000 hours. The high service life is important proof that these economically and ecologically interesting catalyst systems can be used on an industrial scale. SILP stands for Supported Ionic Liquid Phase and describes a technology with which homogeneous catalysts can be applied to solid materials, such as silicon oxides or aluminum oxide, with the help of ionic liquids. 

Scientists used the new catalyst systems in hydroformylation, an industrially important reaction that is used in the chemical industry to recover aldehydes from olefins and syngas. Among other things, aldehydes are a precursor for plasticizer alcohols; Evonik is one of the largest producers of C9/C10 plasticizer alcohols in Europe. Prof. Robert Franke, who is responsible for Innovation Management Hydroformylation in Evonik's Performance Materials Segment says, "With our research work, and especially in connection with Process Technology & Engineering, we are increasing our technology lead and making an important contribution towards keeping our integrated technology platforms and efficient processes effective." 

These days, in commercial hydroformylation only homogeneous catalysts are used as highly efficient reaction accelerators. Plus points for homogeneous catalysts are their high level of selectivity and activity at low temperatures. However, since they are dissolved in the reaction mixture, after the reaction they have to be separated and recycled, which requires a lot of effort. With heterogeneous catalysts that are available as solids, this is simpler. 

The new SILP catalyst systems combine the advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. While looking for suitable SILP catalyst systems for hydroformylation, over the last four years Evonik, together with the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and Darmstadt University of Technology, was involved in the HY-SILP project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, BMBF (project number: 01RC1107A). 

Franke says, "The frontrunner was a rhodium complex with one ligand based on a polycyclic anthracenetriol structure. The ionic liquid consists of an imidazolium cation and an anion based on a binary amine." In the tests, this SILP catalyst exhibited long-term stability of more than 2,000 hours. Franke continues, "Hence, based on the published technology to date, our team was able for the first time to develop a SILP system with a degree of stability that is interesting for a technical process such as hydroformylation." 

Simulation of commercial hydroformylation with an additional integrated SILP catalyst system also reduced carbon dioxide by a good two percent compared to Evonik's process with a homogeneous catalyst, which is already quite efficient. Franke summarizes, "On the whole, the SILP catalyst produces good results, even if we are aiming to reduce CO2 even more. Several other issues still have to be clarified before this system can be used in a commercial plant: especially, we are looking for ligands that further increase the yield from hydroformylation and that also have even better service times." 

Source: Evonik 

Huntsman Acquires Tecnoelastomeri, a Producer of Polyurethane Elastomer

Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) announced that it has completed the acquisition of Tecnoelastomeri, a manufacturer and marketer of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) based hot-cast elastomer systems and processing machines, based in Modena, Italy. 2014 sales revenue for Tecnoelastomeri was approximately $12 million. The purchase price was not disclosed. 

Hot-cast polyurethanes are used in many downstream applications, including bumper pads, coated conveyor belts, gears, rollers and wheels. These applications are used in the automotive, rail, oil and gas, mining and steel industries among others. Huntsman has supplied MDI for these applications for many years. 

Tecnoelastomeri markets its diverse product line globally under a number of well-known trademarks, including Tecnoelastomeri engineering urethane elastomers, Tecnothane polyurethane systems, Rithane specialty polyurethane systems, Castech polyurethane machines and Linthane specialty thermoplastic urethanes (TPUs). 

Commenting on the acquisition, Tony Hankins, President of Huntsman's Polyurethanes division, said: "We are very pleased with the acquisition of Tecnoelastomeri. The addition of its highly experienced team to our Polyurethanes business will significantly strengthen our offer to the growing, downstream hot-cast elastomer markets globally." 

"In the past few years we have strengthened our downstream capabilities and now have more than 25 facilities worldwide. These investments reflect our confidence in the long-term growth prospects for MDI-based urethanes." 

Source: Huntsman 

Polymer Failure & Defects: Case-Histories of Problem Solving

This uniquely practical and industry’s UN-RIVALED course, to be offered in Atlanta, GA, USA, SEPT 22-24, 2015, “Polymer Failure & Defects: Problem Solving Case-Histories” has been attended by 500+ participants with representation from premier global companies. A highlight of the course is the presentation of 50+ Case-Histories of $MM business impact via skilled investigation of problems; solutions backed by PATENTS, PUBLICATIONS in prestigious journals & documented COMMERCIAL VALUE. There will be a major presentation on “How to Identify Innovation Opportunities During Routine Technical Operations”. 

EXAMPLE #1: During occasional longer breaks, the extruder froze resulting in lengthy tear-downs & cleaning, thus adversely affecting the productivity. "Melt-Polycondensation" was established as the root-cause. Rather than changing the “near Impossible” manufacturing process for the plastic resin, a change in lubricant system with an unexpected catalytic effect, solved the problem. The Case-History leading to $10M+ in preserved business will be discussed including technical fundamentals & product development.

EXAMPLE #2: Multi-layered film upon shipping from Location-A to the Location-B shrank consistently by 0.5% along the TD creating "Nipping" problems during thermoforming. Upon returning the reject lots back to Location-A, only 0.2% shrinkage was identified, consistently. Both measurements were correct, although different. After understanding the root-cause, solution was based on handling the reversible effect of %RH differences at the A vs B locations and the irreversible effect of post-crystallization before slitting at Location-A.

For more information, please visit
http://innoplastsolutions.com/bio/courses.html

Conference:3D-Additive Manufacturing and BioMass for Sustainable Future

3D-Additive Manufacturing:
Fabricating Materials into Traditional & Complex Objects

MARCH 22-24, Miami Beach

3D Printing is reshaping the manufacturing
base and will be the 21st Century’s industrial
revolution.

Why? In short, it can deliver "Real-Life Objects"
faster, cheaper and on-demand.

Prototypes can be rapidly fabricated and perfected without tooling limitations or wastage of materials
and manpower. All industries have the potential to be impacted by 3D printing including:

·         Defense

·         Medical

·         Aerospace

·         Automotive

·         Consumer Products

·         Architectural

·         Wearables

·         Customized Foods

For Conference details, call InnoPlast at (973) 446-9531 or visit our website:
http://www.DDDPrintingConference.com

BioMass for Sustainable Future:
Re-Invention of Polymeric Materials

FEB 9-11, Las Vegas

The U.S. Government has announced BIO-BASED materials as 1-of-3 emerging technologies for U.S. competitiveness. There has been a renewed spirit of innovation over the last 5 years in the field of Chemicals & Polymers based on BioMass vs traditional PetroChemicals. Join us on a journey through the world of “BioMass for Sustainable Future: Re-Invention of Polymeric Materials”; an adventure we have not seen in the chemical industry since the 1960’s and it is rapidly evolving!

For Conference details, call InnoPlast at   (973) 446-9531 or visit our website:
http://www.BioplastConference.com

Verdezyne Signs Agreement with Will & Co for Distribution of BIOLON™ DDDA in Europe

Verdezyne, Inc., a privately-held industrial biotechnology company focused on producing renewable chemicals, has reached an agreement with Will & Co, a sales and marketing firm for raw materials, semi-finished products, additives, and pigments, for distribution of Verdezyne’s first commercial product. The exclusive agreement is for sales and distribution of BIOLON™ DDDA (biobased dodecanedioic acid or “DC12”) in Europe, one of the world’s largest chemical markets. BIOLON™ DDDA will be produced at Verdezyne’s commercial-scale plant in Malaysia. The agreement secures off-take for over 25% of the expected plant capacity.

Verdezyne’s BIOLON™ DDDA is produced more sustainably than traditional petroleum-derived intermediate chemicals and will be used to make engineering polymer resins, automotive parts, toothbrush bristles, cosmetics, fragrances, and more.

“This agreement with Will & Co is an important milestone for us because it reflects the strong demand for renewable chemicals and the demonstrated high quality of our product,” said E. William Radany, Ph.D., President and CEO of Verdezyne. “With a focus on serving customers, Will & Co is the perfect partner for us and we are proud to be associated with them. Having forged this mutually beneficial distribution partnership for a significant portion of our production capacity, we are even more excited to start producing BIOLON™ DDDA as soon as possible.”

Verdezyne’s plant, expected to open in 2017, is anticipated to have the capacity to produce over 10,000 metric tons of diacids annually, including BIOLON™ DDDA, drawing on Malaysia’s diverse and abundant base of plant-derived feedstocks.

“For some time, our customers have been asking us for an alternative to petroleum-derived chemicals, and Verdezyne’s BIOLON™ DDDA fits the bill perfectly,” commented Jacques van Lindonk, Managing Director at Will & Co. “We are excited to finally be able to offer them a biobased, versatile, sustainable chemical for such a wide variety of uses, at competitive prices. It is Will & Co’s focus to expand the product portfolio with biobased products, and through our cooperation with Verdezyne we take an important step forward.”


Source: Verdezyne
 

MCC and Suzuki Develop Plant-derived, Bio-based Engineering Plastic

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation announced that MCC and Suzuki Motor Corporation have jointly developed a new grade of bio-based engineering plastic called DURABIO™, which was used (*) in the interior resin color panels of Suzuki’s new Alto Lapin.

DURABIO™, developed by MCC, is a bio-based engineering plastic made from plant-derived isosorbide. It features excellent performance as it offers higher resistance to impact, heat, and weather than conventional engineering plastics. Additional benefits include ease of coloring – DURABIO™ can be simply mixed with pigment to create glossy, high reflective surfaces – as well its hardness, enhancing durability and scratch resistance. These advantages eliminate the need for a coating process, thereby reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints. DURABIO™ is one of the the world’s first bio-based engineering plastics to offer bacteria-shedding performance. Simply rinsing or wiping the surface with water removes virtually all traces of bacteria.

In 2013, MCC-developed DURABIO™ marked a world first when the bio-based engineering plastic was used in the interior color panels of the Suzuki Hustler. Recognizing the material’s excellent performance, Suzuki began focusing DURABIO™ in its development of coloring materials for automotive components, pursuing improvements in both performance and texture. MCC and Suzuki have now succeeded in developing a new grade of DURABIO™ that offers even greater resistance to impact and heat and lower-density (lighter weight) compared to conventional bio-based engineering plastics, thanks to polymer alloy technology. At the same time, the new grade of DURABIO™ maintains the earlier advantages, such as high resistance to scratching and weather, as well as bacteria shedding.

MCC and Suzuki are committed to ongoing joint development aimed at producing eco-friendly, high-value-added vehicles.

Source: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation