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News from Abroad News from Abroad

PROJECT UPDATE EXPANSION

Emirates Biotech selects Samsung E&A as EPC BASF setting up second plant for Cellasto

contractor for its PLA facility components in China

Dubai-based Emirates Biotech has Cellasto, the trade name for Noise,
selected Samsung E&A as the contrac- Vibration and Harshness (NVH) compo-
tor for its upcoming Polylactic Acid nents made of BASF polyurethanes, is
(PLA) plant in the United Arab investing roughly €60-mn to establish a
Emirates (UAE). second plant in Shanghai, China.

Samsung E&A, the sole partner for This production expansion aims to
the ‘Falcon PLA Project’, will oversee capitalise on China’s booming electric
all engineering, procurement, and con- vehicle market. The new facility will
struction (EPC) work, ensuring that it feature advanced mould lines, resulting
progresses smoothly and aligns with The plant, expected to be operational class engineering projects, we are in a capacity increase of nearly 70%,
the planned schedule and budget. in early 2028, will be located in the confi dent that this collaboration will with operations expected to start in
Kezad free zone in Abu Dhabi, a new ensure the seamless integration of 2027. A commencement ceremony was
The pre-EPC contract, covering the industrial area with access to state-of- technology into our PLA production held on April 14 to celebrate this expan-
initial phase of the collaboration, was the-art transportation infrastructure facility.” Mr. Hong Namkoong, Presi- sion.
signed on April 14, 2025. including the deep-sea port of Khalifa. dent and CEO of Samsung E&A add-
ed, “Samsung E&A is honoured to “Cellasto has always delivered
Emirates Biotech recently selected Mr. Marc Verbruggen, CEO of expand its customer base and enter a new exceptional value to automotive manu-
Sulzer as the technology provider Emirates Biotech, said, “Selecting market. This achievement strengthens facturers with the same passion for quality
for the PLA plant and Samsung E&A Samsung E&A as our contractor is its competitive position for future pro- and effi ciency. I am confi dent that this to accelerate business growth in the Cellasto’s 60th anniversary and the 10th
will ensure the Sulzer technology and another signifi cant step toward making jects with Emirates Biotech, marking devotion will ensure a continued suc- automotive sector in China, by leve- anniversary of our Shanghai plant. This
proprietary equipment will be integrated our vision a reality. With their exten- its entry into the growing eco-friendly cess with our customers in China in this raging our local production network, year, with the addition of a second plant,
fl awlessly into the PLA production facility. sive expertise in delivering world- plastics sector.” vital automotive market,” commented strong innovation capabilities and deep we are achieving another signifi cant
Dr. Martin Jung, President of the Perfor- market insights,” added Dr. Jeffrey Lou, milestone. With our state-of-the-art
mance Materials Division, BASF. President and Chairman Greater China, facilities, we are eager to seize the
BASF. opportunities presented by this dynamic
Orbia expands custom electrolyte facility in US “As the leading chemical supplier market,” concluded Mr. Bjoern Kophstahl,
to the automotive industry, BASF strives “Four years ago, we celebrated Vice President of Cellasto.
US-based diversifi ed conglomerate, valuation by 2031. The market is Orbia expanded its custom elec-
Orbia, has announced that its Fluor & fuelled by lithium-ion batteries, which trolyte business to a 11,000 square- TARIFF-DRIVEN TROUBLES
Energy Materials business specialising have emerged as an efficient and foot production facility following a
in fl uoro-products has inaugurated the versatile energy source for numerous successful beta launch in 2023. Orbia Ecolab, Solenis to apply 5% trade surcharge in US
expansion of its new custom electrolyte applications. had previously acquired Silatronix, a
production facility in Madison, Wisconsin-based startup with unique US-based water solutions company, to deal with the ripple effects of escalating Americas at Solenis. “Global tariffs
Wisconsin, US. Mr. Gregg Smith, President of electrolyte technology and further Ecolab, and Solenis, a provider of water trade tensions, particularly between the US greater than 10% and 145% tariff placed
Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials developed its business into the custom and hygiene solutions, have announced and China. Solenis said the temporary sur- on China are having broader impacts on
The facility was fi nanced by an commented, “Orbia is committed to electrolyte offering. plans to levy a 5% surcharge from May charge is intended to “offset these external the cost of some raw materials, pack-
$8.4-mn US Department of Defence building a resilient, US-led battery 1, on all its products and services in the pressures without compromising product aging, and equipment,” noted Ecolab’s
contract, to strengthen the national ecosystem, localising supply chains Orbia’s custom electrolyte business US to mitigate rising raw material costs availability or service quality.” CEO, Mr. Christophe Beck. “We cannot
lithium-ion battery supply chain. and expanding domestic manufactur- serves a wide range of customers, who due to recent changes in international fully mitigate these increases, necessitat-
ing. Our custom electrolyte facility utilise various electrolyte formula- trade policies including a 145% tariff “We will continue to monitor global ing adjustments in our pricing. Because
From an estimated value of $51-bn will play a key role in the battery tions to create energy storage systems on China-sourced goods and new global trade conditions closely. Should trade of the proactive actions we have taken in
in 2023, the energy storage market is industry by developing technology to and batteries for industrial applica- baseline tariffs at or above 10%. pressures ease, we are prepared to our supply chain, we are currently able
projected to grow at a compound annual improve battery performance, safety tions, consumer electronics and the US reassess the surcharge accordingly,” said to limit the price increase to 5% for our
rate of 7% to reach a potential $86-bn and effi ciency.” military. Global companies are looking at ways Mr. Ed Connors, Chief Business Offi cer, customers in the US,” he added.

148 Chemical Weekly April 29, 2025 Chemical Weekly April 29, 2025 149

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