The in-depth background paper on renewable carbon focuses on the definition, strategy, measures and potential of renewable carbon as well as outlines the cornerstones of the transition from fossil carbon to renewable carbon for all organic chemicals and materials.

Researchers at the University of Houston have created a new thermoelectric material, intended to generate electric power from waste heat with higher output power than currently available materials.

The acquisition has led to the establishment of the MBCC Group and Dr. Jochen Fabritius has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the new standalone company. The Group will be focusing on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for the construction industry.

Covestro has received its maiden batch of renewable phenol from Borealis. The renewable phenol has been produced with ISCC Plus certified hydrocarbons from Neste and Covestro will be using it to produce high-performance plastic polycarbonate.

Sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the new pilot plant will make use of carbon dioxide and hydrogen to produce sustainable chemicals. BMBF is investing 7 million dollars for various stages of the project.

The co-production plant is based on Topsoe’s Imap process and has been successfully operated by the Russian chemical firm Shchekinoazot since the past two years. The facility is capable of co-producing 450,000 tonnes of methanol and 135,000 tonnes of ammonia annually.

Under a Letter of Intent (LOI) signed between Chandra Asri and Vopak, both the companies will set up a joint venture company for collaborating in the industrial infrastructure business in Cilegon, Indonesia.

Under the terms of the agreement, Lyondell Basell and Sasol will form a 50:50 JV through which Lyondell Basell will acquire 50 % of Sasol’s selected assets in Louisiana for 2 billion dollars. The new JV will be operational under the name Louisiana Integrated Polyethylene JV.

Perstorp has introduced the world’s first partly renewable carboxylic acids – 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid Pro and Valeric Acid Pro with a renewable content of 25 % and 20 % respectively. The oxo acids are expected to lower carbon footprint and also support the sustainable sourcing of renewable raw material.

Lux Research’s new report titled ‘The Chemicals and Materials Company of 2040’ states that over the next 20 years, the chemicals and materials industries will change drastically due to climate change and the digital transformation. The sectors will also be forced to adopt new skills and develop new goals to stay competitive in the market.