Page 169 - CW E-Magazine (13-8-2024)

News from Abroad

PARTNERSHIP
German hte and Suez join hands for catalytic

valorisation of biomass

German high throughput experi- valorisation of biomass through cata-
mentation company, hte, has an- lytic conversion is a process of ut-
nounced that it has been engaged in an most interest to Suez in line with our
R&D collaboration with France-based sustainability strategy. Working with
water management and waste recycling hte, we found an ideal partner to accele-
group, Suez, focused on the screening rate our research output, allowing us
of various catalytic materials to convert to test in their facilities in two months
biomass-derived feedstocks into sus- what would have taken us two years
tainable gases. to achieve internally. The high quality
catalytic process that enables efficient of the results produced allowed us to
This biomass valorisation R&D conversion of biomass into “green” narrow down our optimisation to a few
project featured a catalyst benchmark- gases. This screening study was suc- candidates identified during the proof
ing step and subsequent poisoning resis- cessfully conducted despite numerous of concept and screening project.”
tance study aiming to qualify the challenges posed by feedstocks and
optimum catalyst for commercial opera- process conditions. In addition, a poi- “The pursuit of valuable, sustaina-
tions. Using one of its proprietary soning study was carried out to fur- ble, affordable, and reliable feedstocks
16-fold high throughput trickle-bed units, ther identify the best class of catalysts is at the forefront of strategic considera-
hte said it successfully accelerated the amenable to successfully yielding tions for businesses and industries. hte,
screening of catalysts under challeng- desired gaseous products,” the company as a global solution provider for digi-
ing operating conditions. informed in a press note. talised R&D lab workflows, is proud
to be part of this critical yet amazing
“The project generated data that Mr. Gregory Tesse, Vice President journey,” added Mr. Wolfram Stichert,
helped pave the way to developing a Innovation at Suez, commented, “The CEO at hte.

COLLABORATION
AGC Vinythai-led research project on bio-based

coatings moves into second phase

AGC Vinythai – the joint venture (BPA) substitute for epoxy resin formu- AGC Vinythai and Epinity is a leading
of Japan’s AGC and Thailand’s PTT lations. The results of this initial work example in our product portfolio. By
Global Chemical Public Company Ltd. – were published in January 2021 in the working with partners, we are conti-
has said that its bio-based coatings ChemSusChem journal. nuously improving the sustainability of
research collaboration with Prof. Mojgan our products.”
Nejad at Michigan State University The second stage of the project
(MSU) has moved into the second started in November 2023 when Frank- Epichlorohydrin is mainly used as
phase and has been reinforced by the furt-based Allnex came on board. a precursor to epoxy resins. “By com-
joining of Allnex, the industrial coating pletely replacing Bisphenol A with
resins firm, as a partner. AGC Vinythai is a leading suppli- technical lignins and using bio-based
er of caustic soda, PVC and bio-based epichlorohydrin from AGC Vinythai,
To increase the bio-based content of epichlorohydrin (sold under the Epinity we’re paving the way for greener, more
coatings and epoxy resins, AGC Viny- brand). Mr. Masayoshi Namba, Business sustainable coatings,” said Prof. Nejad.
thai had worked with Prof. Nejad to Director, AGC Vinythai said, “Innovation The project is expected to run until
explore the use of lignin as a bisphenol A and sustainability are key values for October 2026.

Chemical Weekly August 13, 2024 169

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