Industry Trends

February 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?

Reaction process that could improve lithium-sulfur batteries, Parts of your future car could be made from olive trees, Testing carbon-reduction schemes in rice farming, and more. See what industry experts have been discussing in the last four weeks.

Latest Industry Articles

Chemists decipher reaction process that could improve lithium-sulfur batteries

ScienceDaily

Lithium-sulfur batteries have exceptional theoretical capacity and performance in combination with an element in abundant supply. But the intricate reaction mechanism, particularly during discharge, has been challenging to solve. Researchers have identified the key pathways to a complex sulfur reduction reaction that leads to energy loss and reduced battery life span.

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Parts of your future car could be made from olive trees

Biofuels Digest

In Germany, olive trees bear a fruit that is consumed all over the world, as snacks, oil and tapenades. Now, Ford has explored using branches, twigs and leaves that are discarded during harvest for more sustainable auto parts. The trial was conducted as part of the COMPOlive project that is committed to delivering environmental change in olive production, using biocomposites instead of plastic, and supporting the circular economy.

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IRRI, BASF testing carbon-reduction schemes in rice farming

BusinessWorld

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said it will test carbon-reduction schemes in rice farming in partnership with Germany’s BASF AG. “The joint effort is planned for multiple rice seasons in the Philippines and will take place in Laguna, where both organizations maintain research centers for rice,” IRRI said in a statement.

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Clarios and Altris Connect on Sodium-Ion Batteries

WardsAuto

A collaboration between Clarios and Altris aims to develop a sodium-ion battery for automotive applications, reducing dependence on lithium sourced from China for lithium-ion batteries.

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Improving fuel cell durability with fatigue-resistant membranes

ScienceDaily

In hydrogen fuel cells, electrolyte membranes frequently undergo deformation and develop cracks during operation. A research team has recently introduced a fatigue-resistant polymer electrolyte membrane for hydrogen fuel cells, employing an interpenetrating network of Nafion (a plastic electrolyte) and perfluoropolyether (a rubbery polymer).

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Fast-charging lithium battery seeks to eliminate 'range anxiety'

ScienceDaily

Engineers have created a new lithium battery that can charge in under five minutes — faster than any such battery on the market — while maintaining stable performance over extended cycles of charging and discharging.

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Solid state battery design charges in minutes, lasts for thousands of cycles

ScienceDaily

Researchers have developed a new lithium metal battery that can be charged and discharged at least 6,000 times — more than any other pouch battery cell — and can be recharged in a matter of minutes. The research not only describes a new way to make solid state batteries with a lithium metal anode but also offers new understanding into the materials used for these potentially revolutionary batteries.

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One-day symposium on battery electric vehicle safety in mines

MINING.com

Workplace Safety North (WSN) and Cambrian College invite mining industry professionals to a one-day symposium focusing on battery electric vehicle (BEV) safety in mines. The in-person event is sold out, but virtual attendance is available through video livestream. “The use of battery-operated mobile equipment is anticipated to increase significantly in Ontario mines, and raises several safety concerns, including the risk of fire,” said WSN CEO Mike Parent.

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Indonesian biodiesel production rises more than 7% in December

Biofuels Digest

In Indonesia, Platts reports domestic trade association APROBI data shows Indonesia’s December biodiesel production rose more than 7% on the month to 1.2 billion liters, bringing total production for the year up 13% to 13.15 billion liters. Even with biodiesel blending at 35% for most of last year, exports jumped nearly 50% in December to 14.2 million liters.

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Eni to Grow Gas Production while Engaging in Decarbonization in Indonesia

Rigzone.com

Eni presented to the Widodo government its natural gas expansion plans for Indonesia and at the same time signed an agreement with the energy ministry for energy transition cooperation.

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CLG Launches White Oil Processing Unit in China

Rigzone.com

The plant will be the world’s largest white oil hydroprocessing unit. The new plant, which uses CLG’s Isodewaxing and Isofinishing technologies, consists of two units: a 500,000 metric tons per annum (mtpa) nameplate capacity API Group III lubricating base oil unit with the capability to produce industrial-grade white oil, and a 200,000 metric tons per annum nameplate capacity food grade white oil unit, CLG said in a news release Wednesday.

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Indonesia’s first biomethane factory inaugurated

Biofuels Digest

In Indonesia, the first commercial BioCNG/Biomethane factory in Indonesia, located at Bangkatan POM, Bangkatan Village, Kuala District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra Province, was inaugurated Monday after going through a construction process for approximately a year and three months.

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Junheng Biology successfully converted kitchen waste oils into SAF

Biofuels Digest

In China, CGTN reported that Junheng Biology, a private petrochemical enterprise located in central China’s Henan Province, has successfully converted kitchen waste oils into biodiesel and SAF with self-developed green and low-carbon biofuel technology. Accordding to the firm’s Executive Director Zhang Zhenhui, this initial achievement has been possible after five years of research and development.

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Cathay Pacific joins Hong Kong group to boost SAF adoption

Biofuels Digest

In Hong Kong, South China Morning Post reported that a Hong Kong business group promoting environmental sustainability has joined local airline Cathay Pacific and eleven other partners to push for greater public-private collaboration to increase adoption of sustainable aviation fuel.

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Tokyo Gas establishes JV for LNG-to-Power project in Vietnam

LNG industry

Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd, Truong Tan Vietnam Group, and Kyuden Co., Ltd are to establish a joint venture to evaluate the feasibility of an LNG-to-Power project in Thai Binh Province, Vietnam.

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Indonesia’s first biomethane factory inaugurated

Biofuels Digest

In Indonesia, the first commercial BioCNG/Biomethane factory in Indonesia, located at Bangkatan POM, Bangkatan Village, Kuala District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra Province, was inaugurated Monday after going through a construction process for approximately a year and three months.

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China to spend $70bn revamping grid to take renewables

Global Construction Review

The company that manages China’s electricity grid says it will invest more than $70bn in its network this year to improve long-distance transmission and accommodate more intermittent renewable generators. State Grid Corporation will build six ultra-high voltage (UHV) lines this year and start several new projects, China Daily reports.

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Thailand looking to drop biofuel subsidies in September

Biofuels Digest

In Thailand, the Bangkok Post reports the Oil Fuel Fund Office is looking to finally end biofuel subsidies for certain blends in September after intending to for several years. Biofuels have been subsidized in Thailand for more than 20 years, but the office feels that biofuels’ popularity has rendered it unnecessary to subsidize the fuel. E10 and B7 are expected to be the only biofuel blends available at the pump from September.

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