Page 151 - CW E-Magazine (23-4-2024)

News from Abroad

SHIFTING TO RENEWABLES
Borealis to raise use of circular raw materials at its

Finnish steam cracker

Austrian petrochemicals major, base chemicals based on renewable
Borealis, is investing Euro 4.5-mn in and recycled feedstocks. The renew-
the cracker furnaces of its olefins unit able-based and chemically recycled
in Porvoo, Finland. base chemicals produced at Borealis’
site in Porvoo have been awarded
“This investment ensures that the the International Sustainability and
Porvoo steam cracker, which is part of Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS). The
a highly integrated petrochemical com- ISCC PLUS certification is a voluntary
plex, can increase the share of renewa- scheme that covers the entire supply
ble and recycled raw materials used in chain based on mass balance account-
its base chemicals (ethylene and pro- The Porvoo steam cracker, which ing and guarantees compliance with the
pylene) production; thus, supporting has a nameplate capacity of 430 kilo- highest environmental standards.
Borealis Strategy 2030 and driving the tons ethylene and 263 kilotons propy-
transformation to a circular economy,” lene per year, is a facility that thermally “Through strategic furnace modifi-
the company said. “cracks” feedstock – such as naphtha, cations and a commitment to renewable
propane, butane, and liquefied petro- and chemically recycled base chemi-
The Porvoo investment programme, leum gas (LPG) – into smaller molecules. cals, we are poised to elevate annual
which has already been kicked off and is Furnaces are the “heart” of every cracker. production to 120 kilotons, forging a
expected to be completed in 2025, fol- Thanks to the investment, three of path of environmental stewardship and
lows last year’s completion of a major the ten cracker furnaces in the olefins economic resilience,” said Mr. Wolfram
cracker furnace update in Stenungsund, unit will be modified to enable a total Krenn, Borealis Executive Vice Presi-
Sweden. annual production of 120 kilotons of dent Operations and Base Chemicals.

PROJECT UNDER CONSIDERATION
Axpo and Enego mull green hydrogen plant in Sicily

Axpo, Switzerland’s largest pro- Axpo will assess the viability of the its strategy of playing an active role in
ducer of renewable energy, has signed hydrogen plant, working with Hynego the development of the green hydrogen
a cooperation agreement with French which is a part of the Enego Holding. economy in Switzerland and Europe.
energy investor Enego to study the fea- Depending on demand, it would be
sibility of a 100-MW green hydrogen possible to expand the plant’s capacity Axpo is also working with the
plant in Sicily, Italy. to up to 300-MW. Australian company IGE to develop
one of the largest hydrogen production
The project is proposed to be Axpo’s Head of Hydrogen Mr. Guy facilities in Italy, in central Abruzzo’s
located in the Priolo-Augusta indus- Bühler said, “This project is impor- Peligna Valley. In addition, the first
trial complex on the island’s east tant for decarbonisation in the region, hydrogen-powered passenger vessel
coast. Contributing to the creation of a and especially in the Priolo-Augusta on Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne is
so-called ‘hydrogen valley’ running district, which includes an industrial being planned in collaboration with
between Catania and Siracusa, the site of national importance. The grey the SGV shipping company. As part of
new plant would help meet demand for hydrogen currently used by its refiner- this project, Axpo will supply the green
green hydrogen from industries in the ies is produced using natural gas. This hydrogen needed to operate the boat.
surrounding area. It could also connect plant would be able to replace that with The hydrogen will be produced locally
directly to the European hydrogen net- CO -free hydrogen.” at a new production facility in nearby
2
work as part of the European Hydrogen Bürglen. Axpo is also part of a mobility
Backbone (EHB) initiative. For Axpo, this is a further step in initiative in France.

Chemical Weekly April 23, 2024 151

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