Page 155 - CW E-Magazine (30-7-2024)

News from Abroad

mainly been in operation in China and
Australia. With a capacity of 24,000
tons of lithium hydroxide per year, the
plant in Guben, Brandenburg, is an
important building block for a resilient
European battery value chain,” Rock
Tech Lithium said.

By 2030, 50% of the material used at
the facility will come from recycled bat-
teries. The investment costs amount to
around €800-mn. “The state and federal
governments have awarded funding of
€100-mn to ensure a level playing field
in international competition,” the com-
pany informed. Rock Tech plans to start has completed comprehensive basic information on the company’s website,
project execution of the converter this engineering (FEL3 study). The technical the German refining project is expected
year once the financing has been com- specification for construction and com- to go into production at the end of 2026.
pleted. The project received full permit missioning has been completed, and The company is also planning its second
approvals of the Brandenburg State planning for ramp-up and operation of refinery in Ontario, Canada, which will
Environmental Agency in May 2024 and the future converter has started. As per go into production in 2028.

EXPANSION
Evonik ramps up biofuel catalyst capacity

in Argentina

German chemicals firm, Evonik, “Upon completion of the sodium
has announced expansion of its sodium methylate production expansion in
methylate production capacity at its Argentina and progress on the new
Rosario plant, located in the Sante Fé alkoxide plant in Singapore, we reinforce
Province in Argentina. our position as one of the largest global
catalyst manufacturers,” said Mr. Cauê
The move is in response to growing de Arruda, Head of Evonik Catalysts
demand for biofuels in the region and Central and South America.
will see the capacity increase by 50%,
from 60-ktpa to 90-ktpa. Expanded “South America is a significant
production of high-performance sodium strategic growth region for us, and we
methylate catalysts aims to significantly are pursuing our goal of being close to
increase biodiesel productivity and our customers, both in South and North
reduce production costs across South The announcement is of particular America and in the Asian market,” said
America, the company said. importance to the region, due to the Dr. Harald Schwager, member of
Brazilian government’s recent increase Evonik’s Executive Board.
“The sodium methylate plant is of of mandatory quotas for blending fossil
great importance to Argentina and other diesel with 15% biodiesel (B15) in The plant provides an efficient and
countries in the region, with Brazil 2025. It also aligns with the objectives cost-effective way for businesses to
acting as a major export destination,” of New Industry Brazil (NIB), which decarbonise the mobility sector, achieve
said Dr. Hendrik Schönfelder, Regional aims to boost the national industry greenhouse gas (GHG) emission
President for Central and South America and expand the share of biofuels in the reduction targets and reduce reliance on
at Evonik. transportation energy mix. fossil fuels.

Chemical Weekly July 30, 2024 155

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