Page 167 - CW E-Magazine (16-4-2024)

News from Abroad

RATIONALISING PRODUCTION
Idemitsu Kosan and Mitsui Chemicals mull consolidation

of ethylene complexes at Chiba

Japanese chemicals firms Idemitsu have now agreed to begin considering stock in the consolidated ethylene faci-
Kosan and Mitsui Chemicals are set to the optimisation of production via lity, we will consider shifting away from
begin joint deliberations on optimising the consolidation of their Chiba ethy- conventional fossil-derived naphtha to
production by consolidating their ethy- lene complexes. The plan is to close bio-naphtha generated as a byproduct
lene complexes in Chiba, Japan. Idemitsu’s facility and consolidate pro- of our sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
duction at Mitsui’s facility. After this business, as well as naphtha derived
In 2010, Idemitsu and Mitsui used consolidation, the Mitsui’s facility will from chemical recycling of used plas-
a limited liability partnership (LLP) to be jointly operated by the LLP, a joint tic at a facility scheduled to begin ope-
establish Chiba Chemicals Manufac- venture, or other such structure. ration in fiscal 2025. In conjunction
turing LLP and began jointly operating with these efforts, we aim to build a
the ethylene facilities owned by both After conducting a feasibility study, new green chemicals supply chain that
companies in Chiba. The facilities had the two companies plan to discuss mat- also encompasses bio-ethylene pro-
a total production capacity of 920-ktpa ters including the timing of consoli- duced from bio-ethanol – which is used
tons/year (Idemitsu: 370-ktpa; Mitsui: dation and then reach a final decision. as a feedstock for SAF – and synthetic
550-ktpa). The planned timing of consolidation is chemicals made from e-methanol.”
fiscal 2027. Mr. Kito Shunichi, Repre-
However, in the recent years sentative Director, President, and CEO, Mr. Hashimoto Osamu, Repre-
Japanese ethylene complexes are being Idemitsu Kosan, commented, “This sentative Director, President & CEO,
forced to operate at a low rate due to consolidation will be one of the Mitsui Chemicals, added, “This con-
both the opening of large new additio- symbolic projects of our medium- to long- solidation project goes beyond simply
nal petrochemical complexes, mainly in term business transformation aimed at bolstering competitiveness via the
China, and the diminishing domestic achieving carbon neutrality. We will optimisation of production at our Chiba
ethylene demand. In addition, amid the not be satisfied with just optimising ethylene complex. Further regional
global push to achieve carbon-neutral production through the consolidation cooperation and the expansion of part-
societies, the focus is shifting to con- of our ethylene complex, but will move nerships with other companies will
struction of industrial complexes aimed forward with initiatives to achieve our make it a crucial step toward industrial
at reducing CO emissions and promot- aspiration of transforming our business complex transformation based on the
2
ing the circulation of resources. portfolio into a sustainable one tailored twin-pronged approach of enhanced
to low-carbon options and resource cir- competitiveness and a shift to green
Considering this, Idemitsu and Mitsui culation. More specifically, for a feed- chemicals.”
Amazon Papyrus unveils new brand identity and logo

Hong Kong-based APC Group, ciality chemical and process solution
formerly known as Amazon Papyrus provider in the paper & pulp sector
Chemicals, has announced the launch since 2000 in Asia. It is now expanding
of its refreshed brand identity and its role as a leader in process efficiency
updated logo. across various industries.

“The refreshed brand identity rep- “With a footprint spanning 15
resents a significant milestone for APC commitment to maintain high global regions, including China, India, Singapore,
Group, symbolising its evolution as a standards,” the company said in a and Thailand, our new logo is a
dynamic and forward-thinking organi- press note. declaration of our substantial growth
sation in the process chemical indus- and continuous evolution,” the company
try. The updated logo highlights the APC Group has been a leading spe- said.

Chemical Weekly April 16, 2024 167

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