Industry Trends

December 2024

See what has been happening in Asia’s petrochemicals, agrochemicals, automotive, bio energy, and mining industries over the last weeks. What are experts and industry magazines talking about?

What has been happening?

A new catalyst can turn methane into something useful, Chemists produce biodiesel more efficiently from waste oil, Stretchable and self-healable lithium-ion battery, and more. See what industry experts have been discussing in the last four weeks.

Latest Industry Articles

A new catalyst can turn methane into something useful

Chem Europe

Although it is less abundant than carbon dioxide, methane gas contributes disproportionately to global warming because it traps more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, due to its molecular structure. MIT chemical engineers have now designed a new catalyst that can convert methane into usefu…

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UC Santa Cruz chemists produce biodiesel more efficiently from waste oil

Biofuels Digest

In California, UC Santa Cruz chemists have discovered a new way to produce biodiesel from waste oil that both simplifies the process and requires relatively mild heat. This discovery has the potential to make the alternative fuel source much more appealing to the massive industrial sectors that are the backbone of the nation’s economy.

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Stretchable and self-healable lithium-ion battery

Chem Europe

Stretchable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are highly desirable as power sources of stretchable and wearable electronic devices, such as electronic skin, soft robotics and wearable mobile phones. Furthermore, endowing stretchable LIBs with self-healing properties can prolong their lifetime and enhance…

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An enzyme in training camp: Capturing and using CO2 efficiently

Chem Europe

A team of researchers led by Prof. Tobias Erb at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg has succeeded in developing a new enzyme. The ‘lactyl-CoA mutase’ can efficiently convert a key metabolic compound into valuable products. To achieve this, the research team used evoluti…

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New ion speed record holds potential for faster battery charging, biosensing

Science Daily

A speed record has been broken using nanoscience, which could lead to a host of new advances, including improved battery charging, biosensing, soft robotics and neuromorphic computing. Scientists have discovered a way to make ions move more than ten times faster in mixed organic ion-electronic conductors. These conductors combine the advantages of the ion signaling used by many biological systems, including the human body, with the electron signaling used by computers.

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Malaysia’s SAF target could take off by 2030, report finds

Biofuels Digest

In Malaysia, The Sun reported that Malaysia’s ambitious target to increase the domestic use of sustainable aviation fuel could begin by 2030, requiring about 42 million liters annually. A report by BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, noted that Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap has set an ambitious target, aiming for a 47% mandate by 2050, starting with an initial 1%.

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Malaysia aims to boost hydrogen production

Biofuels Digest

In Malaysia, The Sun reported that the country’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) said it aims to produce two million tons of hydrogen annually, scaling up to 16 million tons by 2050 in an Emission Driven Scenario (EDS) under the Economy and Technology Roadmap (HETR).

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Toray signs MOU with PTT to devvelop adipic acid from non-edible biomass

Biofuels Digest

In Japan, Toray Industries, Inc., has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with major Thai petrochemicals producer PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC) to explore mass production technology for adipic acid made from non-edible biomass. Toray and GC will jointly evaluate the feasibility of mass production technology and commercialization in Thailand and Japan.

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Indonesia to invest $1.2B in methanol plant to service the biodiesel industry

Biofuels Digest

In Indonesia, Antara news agency reports the government plans to invest $1.2 billion in a methanol plant to service the biodiesel industry. Currently, about 80% of methanol consumption is imported. The 800,000 metric ton facility will be located in East Java. As the government continues to increase the biodiesel blending mandate, demand for methanol will continue to rise. By increasing the biodiesel blend to 50%, the country can supply its own diesel needs and won’t need to import.

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Cashew fuel causes engine trouble in shipping

Biofuels Digest

In Singapore, CTI-Maritec, a Singapore-based fuel testing company, reported that several vessels in Singapore and Rotterdam experienced operational issues, including sludging, injector failure, and corrosion, caused by marine fuel blended with Cashew Nutshell Liquid, an undeclared biofuel additive. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry tests revealed over 10,000 ppm of cardol, cardanol, and anacardic acid in Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil samples, indicating the presence of CNSL.

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Neste to provide biobased feedstock to Singapore’s PCS

Biofuels Digest

In Singapore, PCS Pte. Ltd. will use renewable feedstocks supplied by Neste Corporation to produce chemicals for customers in Southeast Asia. Under the terms of the deal, Neste will provide PCS with Neste RE, a renewable material derived from waste sources, such as used cooking oil and residues from vegetable oil processing. PCS will use Neste RE to produce vital products like ethylene, propylene, and butadiene at its Jurong Island facilities.

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Biofuel bunkers command premium in Singapore

Biofuels Digest

In Singapore, Manifold Times reports last week in Singapore, the delivered price for 100% used cooking oil methyl ester biofuel significantly exceeded its estimated cargo price. The FOB price for UCOME from China was recorded between $1,000 and $1,015 per metric ton by PRIMA Markets. However, the delivered price in Singapore was quoted at $1,290 to $1,300 per metric ton, leaving a notable margin to cover logistics such as storage and handling.

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Thai Airways and partners ink MoU to promote SAF usage in Thailand

Biofuels Digest

In Thailand, Money & Banking Online reported that Thai Airways International (THAI) PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (PTTGC) and PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR) announced a collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the use of SAF.

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Neste and PCS to bring renewable solutions to Southeast Asia’s chemicals industry

Biofuels Digest

In Finland, Neste and Singapore-based essential chemicals company PCShave launched a cooperation for the supply of renewable solutions to Southeast Asia’s chemicals industry. The collaboration aims at introducing renewable raw materials to replace fossil ones in chemicals and plastics value chains in the region, Neste said. Neste will supply PCS with Neste RE, a renewable material for the production of chemicals and plastics.

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Waste-to-energy plants offer sustainable solution to address landfill shortage, Malaysian minister says

Biofuels Digest

In Malaysia, The Edge Malaysia reported that the construction of waste-to-energy (WtE) plants offer a sustainable solution to the growing shortage of sanitary landfill sites, and the escalating volume of waste generated each year, said Malaysia’s Housing and Local Government Minister, Nga Kor Ming. The official said that last year, the country’s total solid waste production reached 14.

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Thailand cuts B7 to B5 as biodiesel prices soar

Biofuels Digest

In Thailand, Vietnam’s The Investor reports the Thai government has cut biodiesel blending to 5% from the previous 7% in light of rising palm oil prices. The decision was taken last week a meeting of the Energy Policy and Planning Office. B10 was removed from the pumps in May, leaving just B7 and B20 available, but rising palm oil prices saw biodiesel soar to $1.37 per liter which led to cutting biodiesel content in B7.

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Minister: Subsidied diesel use past quota needs special permit

Malay Mail

Eligible individuals, small-scale companies, or organisations may apply for a special permit to purchase diesel exceeding the standard limit. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the special permit is solely for approved uses and not for resale purposes. “Applicants must submit a letter of confirmation from the relevant agency and apply via the Special Permit System available on the KPDN (Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry) portal.

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Indonesia to build oil storage facility near Singapore

Jakarta Post

The energy minister says the government is looking at building an oil storage facility on an island near Singapore, from which the country imports 60 percent of its fuel, to shore up strategic reserves amid declining output.

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