Page 144 - CW E-Magazine (10-12-2024)

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BIO-BASED CHEMICALS

Godavari Biorefi neries to license Catalyxx technology

for bio-butanol & higher alcohols

Catalyxx Inc., a leader in sustain- sustainable, carbon-negative, and cost- “This partnership with Catalyxx
able chemistry, and Godavari Bio- effective alternatives to traditional refl ects our commitment to advancing
refi neries Ltd. (GBL), a pioneer in petrochemical solutions, addressing sustainable chemistry and underscores our
renewable chemicals and biofuels, have the growing demand for environmen- leadership in the bio-chemicals sector,”
announced the signing of a strategic tally friendly products across multiple said Mr. Samir Somaiya, Chairman
international license agreement. The industries. and Managing Director, GBL. “We are PRODUCT RANGE
agreement grants GBL exclusive rights excited to embark on this journey and look
in India to leverage Catalyxx’s pro- “This agreement is the culmination forward to the positive impact this pro-
prietary technology for the conversion of of years of rigorous development and ject will have on our business, the envi-
ethanol into up to 30-ktpa of biobutanol innovation, refl ecting our unwavering ronment, and the communities we serve.”
and other higher alcohols. commitment to advancing sustainable
chemistry,” said Mr. Joaquín Alarcón, This agreement builds on Cata-
In the fi rst phase, GBL will con- CEO of Catalyxx. “This strategic part- lyxx’s recent success with the launch of
struct and operate a state-of-the-art nership with Godavari Biorefi neries, its own fi rst-of-a-kind industrial-scale
facility designed to produce 15-ktpa of a company with an exceptional track project in Europe in collaboration with
biobutanol and higher alcohols. record in sustainability, demonstrates Technip Energies and supported by the
the global recognition of our techno- European Comission’s EIC Accelerator
Catalyxx’s patented technology logy’s impact and sets the foundation Program, which granted Catalyxx with
enables the effi cient conversion of ethanol for the next phase of Catalyxx’s growth. €9.5-mn funding. This project demon-
into high-value bio-based chemicals Together, we are pioneering a more strated the scalability of Catalyxx’s
such as n-butanol, hexanol, octanol, sustainable future for the chemical technology and set a new benchmark
and decanol. These products provide industry.” for sustainable chemical production.

PROJECT MILESTONE

HPCL’s Rajasthan refi nery poised to commence

commercial production

HPCL Rajasthan Refi nery Ltd. Abhishek Ranjan, South Asia oil research speed diesel, gasoline and value-added
(HRRL), an integrated refi nery and petro- lead at S&P Global Commodity petrochemical products, such as propy-
chemical complex with a crude oil Insights. While Russian Urals could be lene, butadiene, linear low-density poly-
processing capacity of 9-mtpa in Pach- a favourite choice, the refi nery will try ethylene, high-density polyethylene,
padra, Balotra district of Rajasthan, is to diversify its crude basket for better polypropylene, benzene and toluene.
poised to commence operations, and security as future tightening of Russian
certain units have already entered the barrels cannot be ruled out. “The The Paradip Refi nery, operated by
pre-commissioning stage. Arabian and Basrah grades are next the state-run Indian Oil Corporation,
in the top three crude types that the was the last standalone refi nery com-
The complex, jointly built by state- refi nery will use,” he added. missioned in India in 2016. It has an
run Hindustan Petroleum Corporation installed annual capacity of 15-mtpa.
Ltd. (HPCL) and the Rajasthan govern- The refi nery’s confi guration includes Since then, many refi ners have pursued
ment with equity stakes of 74% and large vacuum distillation, delayed coker expansion projects, but HRRL will be
26%, respectively, is designed to run and fl uid catalytic cracking (FCC) units, the fi rst standalone refi nery to be deve-
with over 83% of imported medium- which should also allow it to process loped. It will cater to demand in north-
grade crude and the remaining be- heavier crudes. The refi nery is expected ern India, which has a net defi cit of
ing domestic crude, according to Mr. to mainly produce Euro 6-grade high- refi ned oil products.

144 Chemical Weekly December 10, 2024

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