Ethanol Fuel Pricing - Monthly Review

 *** Ethanol Fuel Pricing - Monthly Review ***

• In the US ethanol prices have remained steady at 65 cents/litre as growing summer demand is matched by an increase in production

• In Brazil anhydrous ethanol prices have fallen to 61 cents/litre as gasoline prices have been cut by 13%

• European prices continue to fall to 84 cents/litre due to falling feedstock cots and lower natural gas prices

• Poland has passed legislation introducing E10 from January 2024 including a minimum ethanol blending requirement

Source:Adrian Mason

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#biofuels #ethanol #E10 #E5 #RED #pricing

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Carbon dioxide removal (CDR)

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR):

The EU / European Commission is advised* to set a 𝟐𝟎𝟒𝟎 𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟗𝟎–𝟗𝟓% 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟎 to keep the EU’s 𝐆𝐇𝐆 𝐛𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 to within 11 to 14 Gt CO2e between 2030 and 2050. Within this target 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥 (#CDR) will have a significant role to play though the primary focus is understandably on the REDUCTION of emissions, with their associated co-benefits (#airpollution, #energysecurity, etc):

"These pathways [ leading to the 90-95% reduction ] also minimise the EU’s reliance on removal of CO2 from the atmosphere (by either novel carbon removal technologies or enhancement of the natural land sink) thereby minimising the risks associated with relying on these approaches. However, even these pathways require carbon removal at scale in order to achieve #climateneutrality". (Scale indications in 2040: #CCS 5-70 Mt CO2/ #CCU in industrial processes 0-166 Mt CO2; #BECCS 46-207 Mt CO2; #DACCS 0-7 Mt CO2; #LULUCF 100-400 Mt CO2 as compared to today's level of 212Mt CO2)

Regarding the nature and availability of CDR solutions NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration May report offers both a summary ( see figure below) and a deep dive (with an obvious US bias and focus, with some notable fingerprints of at least one fossil think-thank). Still, highly recommended reading ('A White Paper documenting a potential NOAA CDR Science Strategy as an element of

NOAA’s Climate Interventions Portfolio': https://bit.ly/3NxjZoB )

#EuropeanClimateLaw created the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change and its full recommendations has just been published (-> their full report: https://bit.ly/3Cto4DZ )

Source:Zsolt Lengyel

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#climatechangesolutions #netzero #greendeal #fitfor55 #parisagreement #sustainability #climateaction #climatecrisis #offsets #carboncredits #carbonpricing #ETS #emissionstrading #mitigation #ESG #science #greenclaims #Green #industry #industrialpolicy

Composite domes combine the use of natural light and greater thermal comfort

Evolution of skylights, coverings of this type still protect against UV rays and help reduce the electricity bill.

It is not new that architects and designers resort to natural lighting. Ancient Roman builders already designed churches and dwellings with glazed skylights. However, with the advancement of construction technologies, the market now has more practical alternatives, combining sunlight, thermal comfort, and ease of installation.

One of them is the dome. Although they have a similar concept to skylights – allowing light to pass through – domes can offer additional benefits. In the case of those manufactured by Planefibra from Santa Catarina, the overlapping of a colorless upper tile and a milky lower tile, both made of composites, create an air pocket. This element contributes to isolating the environment.

“In addition to offering natural daylight diffusion, which allows for more homogeneous dispersion, our domes significantly reduce the absorption of external heat. This results in more comfort and greater savings in electricity with the air conditioning of the space”, details Valério Heuchling, commercial manager at Planefibra.

Called Termoplan, Planefibra’s dome also has a double layer of polyester film, a material that protects against ultraviolet rays. “At the same time, there is a high passage rate of white light, making the environment more illuminated,” emphasizes Heuchling.

The Planefibra product was launched in 2018, and since then, it has been part of the construction of industrial warehouses, universities, and distribution centers, including in other countries, such as Paraguay and Peru.

“The installation of Termoplan domes is quite simple, as the fixing system is in a high wave, without the need for shims. This feature also provides greater security and tightness to the roof”.

Source:www.planefibra.com.br

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#composites #domes #skylights #naturallight #polyesterfilm #heat #uv #environment #construction #architects #film #electricity

Johnson Matthey to Provide Fujian Zhongjing Its Technology for Bio-degradable Plastics

As China accelerates its efforts to phase out single-use plastics in a bid to tackle pollution, Johnson Matthey will provide Fujian Zhongjing Petrochemical Group, with the latest butanediol (BDO) technology – a crucial component to produce bio-degradable plastics (PBAT). Three separate BDO plants will be built in phases.

To Produce 600,000 Metric Tons of PBAT Per Year

Using Johnson Matthey’s BDO technology, Fujian Zhongjing, the largest private petrochemical enterprises in east China's Fujian Province, is expected to produce 600,000 metric tons of PBAT, per year – making this the largest contract in the world for this technology.

This bio-degradable plastic is used in compostable packaging and decomposes due to naturally occurring microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria.

Dr Mark Su, president, Greater China at Johnson Matthey, says, “As plastic waste is such an issue, a plastic alternative, such as PBAT, could be one of the best solutions available to tackle plastic pollution. With decades of experience in this technology, it’s encouraging to see the positive impact it can have in creating a cleaner world.”

Today’s announcement follows a meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for Plastics in Paris last week as they try to develop the first international, legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. Today, the UN predicts that the world produces nearly 430 million tons of plastic annually, which is projected to triple by 2060 if no action is taken. In 2020 alone, China produced about 60 million tons of plastic waste, yet only 16 million tons of which was recycled, according to the China National Resources Recycling Association. 

This has prompted the Chinese government to introduce a raft of new laws and regulations to limit plastic waste and to promote plastic alternatives such as biodegradable plastics.

Dr. Su continues, “Our technology also enables our customers to make significant energy savings and operational improvements. With strict permitting protocols in China, we are able to collaborate with our customers to ensure that they have the most efficient and effective technologies in place.”

Weng Shengjin, chairman of Zhongjing Petrochemical Group says, “We will further increase investment to achieve the goals of energy conservation, carbon reduction and emission reduction.”

Source: Johnson Matthey/Omnexus-specialchem

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#plastics #bioplolymer #pbat # #recycling #technology #china #investment #licensing #bioplastics #plasticwaste #biodegradableproducts

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share: Crack Formation:

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:

Crack Formation:

The part shown is made of nylon. Nylons are very decent materials for mechanical properties, except they can be very sensitive to some environmental aspects.

In dry weather, PA66 will lose moisture, which acts as a very efficient plasticizer, making the material much more brittle. If such part dries out in the sun, the UV radiation will slowly break down the polymer chains and also contribute to the material becoming more and more brittle over time. Contrary to the moisture effect, UV degradation is irreversible. Moisture absorbed by nylons also translates into some "swell". Look at it as "negative shrinkage". So if nylon dries out around an overmolded insert, the tensile stress becomes much larger until it could trigger part failure, possibly at a weak point like a weld-line.

Because the glass transition temperature is very moisture sensitive, in a dry spell, nylon Yield and Modulus will go up with the increasing Tg, further enhancing the brittle failure risk of this part.

So summertime is great for us to recharge our batteries, but it could kill some of our parts if we are not prepared !

Source:Vito Leo

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#plastics #plasticinjectionmolding #injectionmolding #polymerscience #moisture #shrinkage #mechanical #uv #nylon