Page 169 - CW E-Magazine (3-12-2024)

News from Abroad

SHIFT TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
Solvay’s soda ash and bicarbonate plant in Germany

ends use of coal

Belgium’s Solvay has operationa- contribute to another 4% re-
lised the second biomass boiler at its duction in group-wide GHG
Rheinberg soda ash and bicarbonate emissions by 2025. “Ending
plant in Germany, phasing out the use coal use at Rheinberg is a
of thermal coal for energy use at the major step in Solvay’s global
site. energy transition,” said Mr.
Philippe Kehren, Solvay
“With the commissioning of this CEO. “Through 90 energy
new boiler, Rheinberg became the transition and energy effi-
world’s first soda ash plant powered by ciency projects worldwide,
locally sourced waste wood,” the com- ration technology, reaching over 90% we are committed to reducing our
pany said. efficiency by producing both steam and carbon footprint and achieving car-
electricity. bon neutrality by 2050”.
The two biomass boilers at the
Rheinberg facility use waste wood, The transformation at Rheinberg is As one of nine Solvay soda ash &
which would otherwise go unrecycled, expected to contribute to a 5% reduc- derivatives facilities globally, the
from industrial and demolition residues tion of Solvay’s overall greenhouse gas Rheinberg plant produces soda ash
to generate steam and electricity, com- emissions by 2025. It follows the recent for glass, solar panels, and lithium
pletely replacing the use of fossil fuel. announcement of the official inaugura- carbonate for EV batteries, as well as
This shift will reduce the plant’s CO tion of a regenerative thermal oxidation bicarbonate-based solutions for use in
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emissions by 65% annually compared (RTO) process at Solvay’s Green River, food, feed, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals,
to 2021 levels. The system uses cogene- Wyoming (US) plant, which is set to and air pollution control.

COLLABORATION
Henkel and Celanese join hands to offer adhesives

made from captured CO emissions
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Henkel, the German supplier of creating new oppor-
adhesives, sealants and functional tunities for customers
coatings, and Celanese, a US-based in the packaging
chemicals company, have announced and consumer goods
a partnership to enhance circularity in sector to increase the
emulsion production by utilising carbon renewable content of
capture-based materials. their products by
keeping CO emis-
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Earlier this year, Celanese launched sions in the production
a carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) loop.
project at its Clear Lake, Texas (USA)
site as part of its Fairway Methanol joint a crucial element to produce polymers “The paper & board, envelopes &
venture with Japan’s Mitsui & Co. Ltd. often used in adhesive formulations. graphic arts, e-commerce, labelling and
The CCU technology captures industrial tissue & towel industries can particularly
CO emissions and, using hydrogen, Through this collaboration, Henkel benefit from CCU adhesives and the
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converts them into methanol, which will now produce water-based adhesives Henkel and Celanese partnership,” the
forms 35% of vinyl acetate monomer – made from captured CO emissions, companies said.
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Chemical Weekly December 3, 2024 169

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