Industry Trends
November 2022
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?
Biodiesel diesel fuels deliver major GHG emission reductions, Ways to produce energy from hemp processing waste, Most important battery trends, and more. See what journals and industry experts have been discussing in the last four weeks.
Latest Industry Articles
Biodiesel diesel fuels deliver major GHG emission reductions
Biodiesel Magazine
Use of low-carbon renewable diesel and biodiesel fuels are delivering significant GHG and other emissions reductions in California, and hold expanded opportunities for reducing carbon emissions from the trucking sector in other states.
Use of low-carbon renewable diesel and biodiesel fuels are delivering significant GHG and other emissions reductions in California, and hold expanded opportunities for reducing carbon emissions from the trucking sector in other states.
New research project launched looking at ways to produce energy from hemp processing waste
Biofuels Digest
In Germany, residual and waste materials from hemp processing that have been largely unused so far are mainly leaves and blossoms, hemp hurds and hemp dust or extraction residues from hemp oil production. In the “HempNRG” project led by Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige (DBZG), these are to be put to a preferably energetic use in the production plant. The project focuses on the insulation production process.
In Germany, residual and waste materials from hemp processing that have been largely unused so far are mainly leaves and blossoms, hemp hurds and hemp dust or extraction residues from hemp oil production. In the “HempNRG” project led by Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige (DBZG), these are to be put to a preferably energetic use in the production plant. The project focuses on the insulation production process.
Battery Market Study: Efficiency and Sustainability are the Most Important Trends
ChemEurope
Asia still leading in research and development by a wide margin. In the coming years, the global battery market will be shaped primarily by the factors of sustainability, the availability of raw materials, the growing number of electric cars, and the desire for ever more powerful batteries.
Asia still leading in research and development by a wide margin. In the coming years, the global battery market will be shaped primarily by the factors of sustainability, the availability of raw materials, the growing number of electric cars, and the desire for ever more powerful batteries.
Putting the brakes on lithium-ion batteries to prevent fires
Science Daily
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used to power everything from smart watches to electric vehicles, thanks to the large amounts of energy they can store in small spaces. When overheated, however, they’re prone to catching fire or even exploding. But recent research offers a possible solution with a new technology that can swiftly put the brakes on a Li-ion battery, shutting it down when it gets too hot.
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used to power everything from smart watches to electric vehicles, thanks to the large amounts of energy they can store in small spaces. When overheated, however, they’re prone to catching fire or even exploding. But recent research offers a possible solution with a new technology that can swiftly put the brakes on a Li-ion battery, shutting it down when it gets too hot.
Increasing Electrification Will Not Threaten Biofuel Transport Sector, Majority of Poll Participants Believe
Advance Biofuels USA
With more countries increasing their biofuel blends in their petrol – like the UK that upped it from E5 to E10 a year ago – this has helped producers increase their production capacity while assisting the transport sector to reach their net-zero goals. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is also being increasingly produced by the likes of Gevo, Neste and OMV as airlines bow to public pressure to cut their emission levels.
With more countries increasing their biofuel blends in their petrol – like the UK that upped it from E5 to E10 a year ago – this has helped producers increase their production capacity while assisting the transport sector to reach their net-zero goals. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is also being increasingly produced by the likes of Gevo, Neste and OMV as airlines bow to public pressure to cut their emission levels.
Li-ion battery market to reach $430bn by 2033
Mining.com
A recent report by IDTechEx states that the lithium-ion battery market will reach over $430 billion by 2033. According to the analyst, electric cars and transportation will represent the largest market. “Battery electric cars will constitute over 90% of Li-ion demand, by GWh, by 2033,” the report reads. “This will be driven by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles with more stringent emissions targets and goals and as EVs begin to reach cost parity with conventional ICE vehicles.
A recent report by IDTechEx states that the lithium-ion battery market will reach over $430 billion by 2033. According to the analyst, electric cars and transportation will represent the largest market. “Battery electric cars will constitute over 90% of Li-ion demand, by GWh, by 2033,” the report reads. “This will be driven by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles with more stringent emissions targets and goals and as EVs begin to reach cost parity with conventional ICE vehicles.
Interview: Hydrogen, Carbon Capture Critical to Decarbonising the Chemical Industry – Dow CEO
Advance Biofuels USA
Hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS) will be critical for the chemical industry and other energy-intensive sectors to fully decarbonise, the CEO of Dow said. “Carbon capture is critical. You won’t get to any net-zero targets without hydrogen and carbon capture, especially in energy-intensive industries,” said Dow CEO Jim Fitterling in an interview with ICIS.
Hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS) will be critical for the chemical industry and other energy-intensive sectors to fully decarbonise, the CEO of Dow said. “Carbon capture is critical. You won’t get to any net-zero targets without hydrogen and carbon capture, especially in energy-intensive industries,” said Dow CEO Jim Fitterling in an interview with ICIS.
Biofuel Additives Market In Asia Pacific Region is Projected to Develop at the Rapid Pace
Advance Biofuels USA
The factors that drive the biofuel additives market are growing biofuel adoption due to decreasing dependency on the oil producing nations, availability of renewable feedstock’s, and favorable government policies. Several other measures, in the form of vehicle emission directives, taken by the European policy makers in consultation with the car manufacturers and oil companies to enhance the air quality also drive the growth of this market.
The factors that drive the biofuel additives market are growing biofuel adoption due to decreasing dependency on the oil producing nations, availability of renewable feedstock’s, and favorable government policies. Several other measures, in the form of vehicle emission directives, taken by the European policy makers in consultation with the car manufacturers and oil companies to enhance the air quality also drive the growth of this market.
Water for drinking? Nope, water for batteries
Science Daily
A research team develops aqueous rechargeable batteries based on zinc anodes. Polymeric artificial interphase to improve battery stability.
A research team develops aqueous rechargeable batteries based on zinc anodes. Polymeric artificial interphase to improve battery stability.
Nanocrystals Store Light Energy and Drive Chemical Reactions
ChemEurope
Low toxicity, high efficiency: ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots as photocatalysts. Chemistry is increasingly making use of the trick plants can do with photosynthesis: driving chemical reactions that run poorly or do not occur spontaneously at all with light energy. This requires suitable photocatalysts that capture light energy and make it available for the reaction.
Low toxicity, high efficiency: ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots as photocatalysts. Chemistry is increasingly making use of the trick plants can do with photosynthesis: driving chemical reactions that run poorly or do not occur spontaneously at all with light energy. This requires suitable photocatalysts that capture light energy and make it available for the reaction.
World’s Largest CO2-to-Methanol Plant Starts Production
Advanced Biofuels USA
The world’s first commercial scale CO2-to-methanol plant has started production in Anyang, Henan Province, China. The cutting-edge facility is the first of its type in the world to produce methanol — a valuable fuel and chemical feedstock — at this scale from captured waste carbon dioxide and hydrogen gases.
The world’s first commercial scale CO2-to-methanol plant has started production in Anyang, Henan Province, China. The cutting-edge facility is the first of its type in the world to produce methanol — a valuable fuel and chemical feedstock — at this scale from captured waste carbon dioxide and hydrogen gases.
More Chinese Airlines Vow to Promote Use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Advanced Biofuels USA
Airbus said on Tuesday that it has signed agreements with Xiamen Airlines, Zhejiang Loong Airlines and Colorful Guizhou Airlines to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) during commercial flights in China. The partnership was announced at the 14th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. With the agreements, Airbus and Airbus’ Chinese operators are expected to help support China’s green aviation strategy.
Airbus said on Tuesday that it has signed agreements with Xiamen Airlines, Zhejiang Loong Airlines and Colorful Guizhou Airlines to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) during commercial flights in China. The partnership was announced at the 14th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. With the agreements, Airbus and Airbus’ Chinese operators are expected to help support China’s green aviation strategy.
Hess Takes Velesto Rig For Work On Malaysian Gas Field
Rigzone.com
U.S. oil and gas firm Hess has chosen rig owner Velesto Energy to carry out the drilling work on a project off Peninsular Malaysia. Velesto Energy said that its subsidiary Velesto Drilling received a letter of award from Hess for the provision of the integrated rig, drilling, and completion (I-RDC) services.
U.S. oil and gas firm Hess has chosen rig owner Velesto Energy to carry out the drilling work on a project off Peninsular Malaysia. Velesto Energy said that its subsidiary Velesto Drilling received a letter of award from Hess for the provision of the integrated rig, drilling, and completion (I-RDC) services.
The Place of Biodiesel as China Eyes Carbon Neutrality
Advanced Biofuels USA
Prices for China’s biodiesel exports have been rising significantly, from less than 7,000 yuan (US$1,050) a tonne in January last year to a record high of over 12,000 yuan (US$1,723) in July this year. The average price in the first seven months of this year also exceeded 11,000 yuan. Biodiesel stocks have also done well on China’s own markets.
Prices for China’s biodiesel exports have been rising significantly, from less than 7,000 yuan (US$1,050) a tonne in January last year to a record high of over 12,000 yuan (US$1,723) in July this year. The average price in the first seven months of this year also exceeded 11,000 yuan. Biodiesel stocks have also done well on China’s own markets.
Chinese researchers develop the country’s first industrial plant to produce SAF
Biofuels Digest
In China, Global Times reported that a research institute in East China’s Zhejiang Province has built a device to make jet fuel from used cooking oil. According to the reports, the sustainable fuel was made from used cooking oil via a device developed by Sinopec Zhenhai Reifining & Chemical Company in Ningbo, Zhejiang. The report highlighted that this is China’s first domestic industrial plant to produce sustainable aviation fuel.
In China, Global Times reported that a research institute in East China’s Zhejiang Province has built a device to make jet fuel from used cooking oil. According to the reports, the sustainable fuel was made from used cooking oil via a device developed by Sinopec Zhenhai Reifining & Chemical Company in Ningbo, Zhejiang. The report highlighted that this is China’s first domestic industrial plant to produce sustainable aviation fuel.
Malaysia-US venture targets SAF production
Biofuels Digest
In Malaysia, Free Malaysia Today reported that a Malaysia-US venture that will use vegetable oil production technology to produce SAF is expected to start operations at the end of this month. The venture said that it aims to develop a hydrogenated vegetable oil facility that will be used for the production of SAF. The facility, located in Sapangar Bay, Kota Kinabalu, will produce 250,000 metric tons of aviation fuel annually at full capacity.
In Malaysia, Free Malaysia Today reported that a Malaysia-US venture that will use vegetable oil production technology to produce SAF is expected to start operations at the end of this month. The venture said that it aims to develop a hydrogenated vegetable oil facility that will be used for the production of SAF. The facility, located in Sapangar Bay, Kota Kinabalu, will produce 250,000 metric tons of aviation fuel annually at full capacity.
Indonesia partners with Russia’s Rosneft on $24bn Java oil refinery
Global Construction Review
Indonesian national energy company Pertamina has announced plans to invest up to $50bn in the country’s refinery sector next year, Nikkei Asia reports. Around $24bn will go on a greenfield refinery to be built in East Java province with Russian state energy company Rosneft. The refinery will occupy 840ha in Tuban Regency. It will have 14 refining units for vehicle fuels and seven for petrochemicals. The aim is to build a refinery that can process heavy and high-sulphur crude oil.
Indonesian national energy company Pertamina has announced plans to invest up to $50bn in the country’s refinery sector next year, Nikkei Asia reports. Around $24bn will go on a greenfield refinery to be built in East Java province with Russian state energy company Rosneft. The refinery will occupy 840ha in Tuban Regency. It will have 14 refining units for vehicle fuels and seven for petrochemicals. The aim is to build a refinery that can process heavy and high-sulphur crude oil.
Noxious fine dust in central Vietnam revealed to be oil-refining chemical
VN Express
The fine, noxious dust that invaded over 1,000 homes in the central Quang Ngai Province two weeks ago were revealed to be oil-refining chemicals from the Dung Quat refinery.
The fine, noxious dust that invaded over 1,000 homes in the central Quang Ngai Province two weeks ago were revealed to be oil-refining chemicals from the Dung Quat refinery.
US, Japan and partners mobilise US$20b to move Indonesia away from coal power
Malay Mail
A coalition of countries will mobilise US$20 billion (RM91 billion) of public and private finance to help Indonesia shut coal power plants and bring forward the sector’s peak emissions date by seven years to 2030, the United States, Japan and partners announced today. The Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), more than a year in the making, “is probably the single largest climate finance transaction or partnership ever”, a US Treasury official told reporters.
A coalition of countries will mobilise US$20 billion (RM91 billion) of public and private finance to help Indonesia shut coal power plants and bring forward the sector’s peak emissions date by seven years to 2030, the United States, Japan and partners announced today. The Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), more than a year in the making, “is probably the single largest climate finance transaction or partnership ever”, a US Treasury official told reporters.
Shell Completes Sale Of Philippines Gas Field
Rigzone.com
Oil and gas supermajor Shell has completed the sale of its 100 percent shareholding in its Philippines subsidiary to Malampaya Energy XP (MEXP), a subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure Capital.
Oil and gas supermajor Shell has completed the sale of its 100 percent shareholding in its Philippines subsidiary to Malampaya Energy XP (MEXP), a subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure Capital.
Indonesia trialing B40s blends in cold temps in the mountains of Java
Biofuels Digest
In Indonesia, Bloomberg reports B40 vehicles trials are moving to the island of Java over the next few weeks where six Toyota Innova minivans will be tested at higher altitudes. Since palm oil-based biodiesel tends to solidify in colder temperatures, the aim is to see if the higher blend can keep the vehicles running up in the mountains. The road tests are trialing both 40% palm oil-based FAME as well as 30% FAME with 10% HVO.
In Indonesia, Bloomberg reports B40 vehicles trials are moving to the island of Java over the next few weeks where six Toyota Innova minivans will be tested at higher altitudes. Since palm oil-based biodiesel tends to solidify in colder temperatures, the aim is to see if the higher blend can keep the vehicles running up in the mountains. The road tests are trialing both 40% palm oil-based FAME as well as 30% FAME with 10% HVO.
Groundbreaking held for Indonesia’s biobased $370M epichlorohydrin manufacturing plant
Biofuels Digest
In Indonesia, the proposed $370 million epichlorohydrin (ECH) manufacturing plant project in Samalaju Industrial Park held its groundbreaking ceremony recently. The project is a joint venture investment by OCiKumho Sdn Bhd and Korea Kumho Petro Chemical Group. When operational, the new plant will produce ECH through hydroelectric power with bio-glycerin and natural salts.
In Indonesia, the proposed $370 million epichlorohydrin (ECH) manufacturing plant project in Samalaju Industrial Park held its groundbreaking ceremony recently. The project is a joint venture investment by OCiKumho Sdn Bhd and Korea Kumho Petro Chemical Group. When operational, the new plant will produce ECH through hydroelectric power with bio-glycerin and natural salts.
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