Global petrochemical company SK Global Chemical and waste solutions provider Brightmark have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a partnership that aims to take the lead in the circular economy of plastic by construction of a commercial scale plastics renewal plant in South Korea.

BASF and Siemens Energy have partnered to fast-track the implementation of new technologies – specializing in lowering greenhouse gas emissions – on a commercial scale. Numerous pilot projects will first be studied and then launched at BASF’s Ludwigshafen site in Germany.

Nova has completely revised and introduced an extended third version of its nova’s technology and trend report ‘Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as Chemical Feedstock for Polymers – Technologies, Polymers, Developers and Producers’. The report states that CO2 is used as chemical feedstock for polymers and nearly 1 million tons production capacity has already been installed.

Solvay’s Melle plant in France has started decarbonizing its cyclopentanone production by converting waste biomass into 18 GWh of renewable natural gas. The cyclopentanone unit operates on biomethane gas and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26 % by 2030.

With the acquisition of Fonroche Biogaz, Total leads the French market in renewable gas. The move is in line with the company’s strategy of achieving its climate ambition of acquiring Net Zero by 2050.

The year 2020 was a promising year for bio-based polymers: Sold out PLA in 2019 has led to the installation of increased capacities, PE and PP made from bio-based naphtha are breaking ground and future expansion for bio-based polyamides as well as for PBAT, PHAs and casein polymers is on the horizon. A lower production is only observed for bio-based PET.

One of the world’s largest plastic-to-plastic molecular recycling facilities is to be built at Eastman's site in Kingsport, USA. Through methanolysis, this world-scale facility will convert polyester waste that often ends up in landfills and waterways into durable products, creating an optimized circular economy.

Air Liquide has developed a new 20 MW PEM electrolyzer which is now producing up to 8.2 tons per day of low-carbon hydrogen in Bécancour, Québec, Canada. The electrolysis unit is equipped with the Cummins technology and is expected to meet the growing demand for low-carbon hydrogen in North America.

Adani Green Energy (Agel) is claimed to be one of the world’s largest solar developers and the deal between Total and the Adani Group is expected to strengthen the relationship between the two companies. Adani and Total aim to be the leading participants in the sustainable economy of the future.

Greenergy has plans to invest in Front End Engineering Design of a project to produce low-carbon transportation fuels from waste tires. The new facility is expected to process up to 300 tons of shredded tires each day to produce low-carbon fuels in the first phase. A second independent plant could also be set up to produce sustainable aviation fuel.