Nova-Institute publishes the first results of a multi-client market survey of the international bioplastics market: 25 companies have developed production capacity at 30 sites worldwide of over 180,000 tons of polylactic acid (PLA), one of the leading bio-based plastics. PLA is used mainly in packaging, but it also has a large number of other durable applications.

At Achema Pulse, an exclusive interview was conducted with Dr. Klaus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer at Covestro in Germany. The focus of the interaction revolved around the concept of a fully circular economy with zero emissions and how this vision can become a reality. Helena Carmen Felixberger was the presenter on behalf of Dechema.

Gharda Plastics, the performance polymers division of Gharda Chemicals, launched its specialty lubricious solution for industrial and business appliances. Now the company wants to boost it's polymers production capacity with a new process plant...

Neste has plans to switch over to 100 % renewable electricity worldwide in the next two years. For this purpose, the company will increase the use of renewable electricity at its Porvoo refinery in Finland. The move is in line with the company’s aim of reaching carbon neutrality in its production by 2035.

Haver & Boecker picks up on market trends and puts new demands on containers in order to conserve resources.

Decarbonizing basic chemicals — 4.6 million dollars in funding from the Dutch government will allow Dow, Shell and two new partners to push forward on their previous plans to develop steam crackers heated by electricity, for CO2-free production of ethylene.

BASF’s Ultramid Ccycled polymers have recently obtained validation by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Ultramid Ccycled grades are sustainable raw material alternatives for diverse applications including packaging film, carpeting and furniture.

Casale has recently delivered a new High-Pressure stripper made with Uremium 29 components to Grupa Azoty Puławy’s urea plant 2 in Poland. Uremium 29 is the latest alloy which offers very high resistance to carbamate induced corrosion.

Lonza has expanded its collaboration with Moderna for drug substance manufacturing of the Covid-19 Vaccine Moderna. A new drug substance manufacturing line will also be installed at Lonza’s Geleen site in the Netherlands.

Under a MOU signed between Yara and Trafigura, both the companies will work together to develop and promote the use of ammonia as a clean fuel for the shipping industry. They also intend to collaborate on clean ammonia fuel infrastructure and market opportunities.