Page 154 - CW E-Magazine (22-7-2025)

News from Abroad News from Abroad

BIO-BASED POLYMERS PROJECT PROGRESS
Arkema’s new Singapore facility raises polyamide Cargill-HELM Joint Ventures begins operations at

11 capacity by 50%; new unit planned for transparent Geno-licensed bio-BDO facility in US

polyamide Qore, the joint venture of American able, responsibly sourced,

food major Cargill and German chemi- and renewable plant-based
France-based chemicals fi rm, cals fi rm HELM, has commenced ope- feedstock, replacing fossil
Arkema, has started up its fl agship rations at its $300-mn bio-based 1,4- fuel-based inputs. The pro-
Rilsan branded polyamide 11 plant butanediol (BDO) manufacturing plant cess is expected to reduce
on Jurong Island, Singapore. This in Eddyville, Iowa (US). greenhouse gas emissions
plant, for which production will be associated with the produc-
100%-derived from renewable castor The new facility is set to produce tion of BDO by up to 90%
beans, represents a 50% increase in 66-ktpa of Qira branded BDO, using when compared to tradi-
Arkema’s global polyamide 11 capa- corn grown primarily within 100 miles tional fossil-based BDO
city. of the site. As the world’s largest faci- production.
lity of its kind, it marks a major step ability of Lycra fi bre, with the potential
The new plant is dedicated to the forward in meeting global demand for to reduce its carbon footprint by up to The Iowa facility is the second com-
production of amino 11 monomer more sustainable materials in everyday 44% compared to fossil-based alter- mercially operating licensed Geno Bio-
from castor oil, and then the poly- consumer products. natives. Similarly, BASF has secured a BDO facility in the world and the fi rst
merisation of this intermediate into long-term supply agreement to incor- located in the US. The fi rst facility is
Rilsan polyamide 11. Qore has licensed Genomatica’s porate Qira into its existing derivatives operating in Italy, and a third is currently
BDO process technology and will use portfolio. under construction in Vietnam.
Arkema also announced that it will Cargill’s global feedstock supply and
triple its global production capacity for fermentation manufacturing expertise Geno invented, scaled up, and engi- BDO can be found in a wide range
Rilsan Clear transparent polyamide with to manufacture Qira. neered the Geno Bio-BDO process, of performance textiles, engineered
a new unit in the Singapore plant, which which it licenses to global manufac- plastics, biodegradable packaging, and
will cater to the growing demand across Qore said many companies have turers. The technology was originally other industrial compounds. In 2024,
Asia Pacifi c. The transparent polyamide already started integrating Qira into their commercialised with the start-up of the the size of the global BDO market was
is used in eyewear, electronics, health- product strategies. The Lycra Company fi rst licensed plant in 2016. Geno’s Bio- estimated to exceed 3-mt, and expected
care devices, and home appliances. The is adopting Qira to enhance the sustain- BDO process enables the use of trace- to surpass 4-mt by 2030.
new capacity represents an investment
of around $20-mn and is expected to be Hynamics UK and Hy24 to develop $407-mn green
operational in the fi rst quarter of 2026.
hydrogen facility in UK
The total investment for the Sin- ($467-mn). To fi nance this plant, ever green bond in October 2020, for
gapore site is approximately €400-mn Arkema successfully placed its fi rst a total amount of €300-mn ($350-mn). Hynamics UK, a subsidiary of fund a £300-mn ($407-mn) hydrogen
French utility group, EDF, specialising electrolytic production facility.
EU clears acquisition of Nova by ADNOC and OMV in low-carbon and renewable hydrogen
production, and Hy24, a low-carbon Hynamics currently has two assets in
The European Commission has ap- concluded that the transaction would Borouge will merge into a joint venture hydrogen asset manager, have joined operations, one in commissioning, and
proved, without conditions, the acquisition not raise competition concerns, given called Borouge Group Internation- hands to pursue the development and two in construction in France. Hynamics
of Canadian petrochemical group Nova the companies’ limited combined al, jointly controlled by OMV and funding of the Fawley Green Hydrogen UK, 100% affi liate of Hynamics, was
Chemicals by Abu Dhabi National Oil market position. ADNOC, each holding a 46.94% stake. Project, to be situated beside the created in September 2023 and formally
Company (ADNOC) and OMV. The deal The joint venture will then acquire Esso Fawley refi nery in Hampshire, April this year. The agreement between launched early 2024, following the award
is part of a broader merger plan announced Nova Chemicals produces ethylene full control of Nova Chemicals, crea- England. Hynamics and Hy24 was formalised on in the fi rst Hydrogen Allocation Round
in March that also involves polyolefi n and polyethylene, with capacities of ting the world’s fourth-largest poly- July 8th, during the State visit to the UK by its Tees Green Hydrogen Project, in
producers Borealis and Borouge. 4.2-mtpa and 2.6-mtpa, respectively. olefins producer, with 12.2-mtpa The project was shortlisted in the of the French President. Hy24, through Teesside (UK). Hynamics UK was also
of resin capacity plus 0.90-mtpa of UK government’s Hydrogen Allocation its clean hydrogen infrastructure fund, shortlisted for the Phase 2 (100-MW) of
The EU competition watchdog Under the plan, Borealis and compounds. Round 2 (HAR2) subsidy scheme in will engage in exclusive negotiations to its Tees Green Hydrogen Project.

154 Chemical Weekly July 22, 2025 Chemical Weekly July 22, 2025 155

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