Page 150 - CW E-Magazine (23-4-2024)

News from Abroad

FOREVER CHEMICALS
US sets its first-ever limits for PFAS in drinking water

The US has imposed its first utilities. Manufacturer 3M recently
nationwide limits on certain so-called agreed to pay more than $10-bn to
“forever chemicals” in drinking water drinking water providers to settle PFAS
that will require utilities to reduce them litigation. And the Bipartisan Infra-
to the lowest level they can be reliably structure Law includes billions to com-
measured. According to officials this bat the substance. But utilities say more
will reduce exposure for 100 million will be needed.
people and help prevent thousands of
illnesses, including cancers. In a statement, the US Environmen- The EPA has found that almost no
tal Protection Agency (EPA) said the level of exposure to PFAS is safe. As
The rule is the first national drinking new rule would provide long-lasting well as cancer, the chemicals have been
water limit on toxic PFAS, or perfluoro- health benefits for Americans. The new linked to reproductive issues, decreased
alkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, regulations give local municipalities immune function, thyroid disease and
which are widespread and long lasting three years to monitor for the chemicals asthma.
in the environment. in their water systems. If harmful levels
of the so-called forever chemicals are Environmental and health advo-
The rule requires local governments found, water utilities have five years to cates praised the rule, but said PFAS
to remove six versions of the chemicals reduce the amount of PFAS in the water manufacturers knew decades ago the
from water systems. The government supply. substances were dangerous yet hid
has allocated an extra $1-bn to help or downplayed the evidence. Limits
cover the costs. Some funds are available to help should have come sooner, they argue.
GEARED FOR GROWTH
Celanese completes series of actions to boost acetyl

operations in US and China

US-based chemicals firm, Celanese, (Nanjing) Chemical Co. Ltd., has
has announced completion of several extended its CO phase II contract with
milestones at its Clear Lake, Texas Nanjing Chengzhi Clean Energy Co.
(US), and Nanjing, (China), plants to Ltd. for the supply of carbon mon-
enhance the competitive cost position, oxide to its facility in Nanjing. Carbon
sustainable footprint and operational monoxide is a key feedstock in the
flexibility of the its acetyl chain (AC) production of acetic acid. The exten-
business. These steps include: while capturing 180-kt of CO ded contract will provide the Celanese
2
industrial emissions. Nanjing facility with reliable long-
* The startup of a new 1.3-million-ton * The startup of a new vinyl acetate term supply of carbon monoxide for
acetic acid expansion at Clear Lake ethylene (VAE) unit in Nanjing and its 1,200-kt acetic acid plant as well
in March 2024, touted to be the low- completion of global, low-capital as additional operating flexibility
est-cost and lowest-carbon footprint downstream redispersible polymer
acetic acid facility in the world. powders (RDP) debottlenecking “These moves not only advance our
This milestone builds upon the projects. This new VAE unit ability to meet customer requirements
recently announced and ISCC-certi- increases capacity by 70-kt and with a flexible, low-cost approach,
fied carbon capture and utilisation expands the acetyl chain’s ability to but also makes us well-positioned for
(CCU) project that increased the address growing regional demand future global and regional growth,”
capacity of the Fairway Methanol for both VAE and downstream RDP. said Mr. Mark Murray, Senior Vice
joint venture with Mitsui by 130-kt * The Celanese subsidiary, Celanese President, Acetyls, Celanese.

150 Chemical Weekly April 23, 2024

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