Page 134 - CW E-Magazine (21-11-2023)

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PESTICIDE USAGE

US court rules US-EPA’s banning use of chlorpyrifos

arbitrary

Farmers and agriculture interest timely,” PMFAI said. India is one of
groups in USA are applauding the rul- the largest manufacturers and users of
ing of United States Court of Appeals’ chlorpyrifos with present production of
Eighth Circuit of 2nd November 2023 around 20-kt. Indian farmers have been
in which the Court vacated the US using it product on multiple crops since
EPA’s ban on use of the popular insec- 1977, “without any adverse impact
ticide, chlorpyrifos, for use on food reported on human and animal health and
crops. While giving its decision the environment,” PMFAI said. “Hazard
Court also observed that EPA disre- classifi cation of chlorpyrifos by vari-
garded its own scientists’ fi ndings on facturers & Formulators Association ous regulatory authorities worldwide
uses of chlorpyrifos while determining of India (PMFAI), the decision of the remains unchanged despite its fi rst
safety and effi cacy of the product. court has also been hailed by the farm- registration since 1965. Chlorpyrifos
ing community, as chlorpyrifos is a is still described as comparatively low
In 2002, agriculture groups repre- broad-spectrum product used in farm- mammalian toxicity, non-skin irritant,
senting wheat, sugar, soybean, cotton, ing and public health and is one of the not a skin sensitizer, non-mutagenic
fruits & vegetable growers, among other cheapest products available to farm- and non-carcinogen,” the association
crops, fi led a lawsuit against EPA’s ers all over the world. Chlorpyrifos is added.
banning of chlorpyrifos, highlighting most effective against migratory locust
its benefi ts and low risks. In the attack and is recommended by FAO/ “The ruling by US Court of Appeals
absence of chlorpyrifos, growers said WHO. Eighth Circuit is important and gives
they were compelled to use multiple right directions to regulatory authori-
pesticides without getting the desired “Growers were eager to restore use ties all over the world including
effectiveness. of chlorpyrifos in 2024 growing season, India, as any move to restrict or ban use
as they have suffered losses in 2022 of chlorpyrifos will harm interests of
According to the Pesticides Manu- and 2023 and the US court’s ruling is farmers,” PMFAI stated.

TECHNOLOGY LICENSING
IOC selects LyondellBasell process technology

for HDPE plant

LyondellBasell, the world’s largest Panipat. “This is a clear demonstration technology manufactures high perfor-
licensor of polyolefi n technologies, has of the confi dence of our customers in mance, multi-modal HDPE resins with
announced that Indian Oil Corpora- our capability, and their trust in our tech- an industry-leading stiffness/toughness
tion Ltd. (IOC) has selected Lyondell- nology” said Mr. Neil Nadalin, Senior balance, impact resistance, high stress
Basell’s Hostalen Advanced Cascade Director Global Licensing and Servi- cracking resistance and processing
Process (Hostalen ACP) technology for ces at LyondellBasell. “The well-known advantages used in pressure pipe, fi lm,
a new 200-ktpa high density polyethy- Hostalen ACP resins from Lyondell- blow moulding and caps & closure
lene (HDPE) plant to be built in Panipat, Basell’s low-pressure slurry HDPE applications.
Haryana. process are much appreciated in India,
as our technology enables operators The plant will commence operations
The new license award by IOC to reliably and economically produce using ‘Avant Z501’ and ‘Avant Z509-1’
represents the second Hostalen ACP resins the Indian market demands,” catalysts to produce a full range of multi-
process technology line to be built at he added. The Hostalen ACP process modal HDPE products.

134 Chemical Weekly November 21, 2023

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