Page 168 - CW E-Magazine (20-8-2024)

News from Abroad

DECARBONISATION
Masdar and TotalEnergies to develop commercial green

hydrogen to methanol to SAF project in Abu Dhabi

UAE-based state-owned renewable the potential for converting methanol
energy company, Masdar (also known to SAF.
as the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Com-
pany), is joining hands with French Aviation is a key focus for Masdar’s
energy giant, TotalEnergies, to assess green hydrogen business, and over the
the viability of developing a commer- past three years the company has forged
cial green hydrogen to methanol to Sus- an industrial source to be used as a a number of partnerships designed to
tainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) project. feedstock, in addition to green hydro- support the development and growth of
gen from renewable energy powered the SAF sector. The UAE govt has set
The focus of the project is to help electrolysis, for the production of green a voluntary target of providing 1% of
decarbonise hard-to-abate, emission- methanol and SAF. The partnership fol- fuel supplied to national airlines at UAE
intensive sectors such as the aviation lows a successful test flight conducted airports using locally produced SAF by
and maritime industries. The project by the two companies during COP28 2031 and seeks to develop a national
will also capture and utilise CO from in December 2023 that demonstrated regulatory framework for SAF.
2
POOR COMPETITIVENESS
Kuraray restructuring nonwoven fabrics business

Japanese chemicals firm, Kuraray, situation resulting from the expansion woven fabric at its Okayama plant by
has announced plans to withdraw from of facilities by other companies in Asia December 2024, and sales will cease by
the dry-laid nonwoven fabrics business and declining domestic demand in recent March 2025. The company had halted
and to reduce production capacity for years had impacted its competitiveness. the production of melt-blown nonwoven
melt-blown nonwoven fabrics. “We have determined that restructuring fabric at the Okayama plant in June this
through a reduction in production capa- year, and production was consolidated
Kuraray has manufactured and sold city is imperative,” it added. at its Saijo plant in Japan. The company
dry-laid nonwoven fabric since 1972 plans to focus its management resources
and melt-blown nonwoven fabric since As part of the restructuring move, on the melt-blown nonwoven fabric
1989. The company said an oversupply it will stop production of dry-laid non- business.
Maire closes acquisition of engineering firm, APS

Evolution

Italian engineering & technology for the conversion of natural resources mechanical, piping, electrical, and civil
conglomerate, Maire, has announced (downstream petrochemicals), with a engineering. Additionally, the takeover
that its KT – Kinetics Technology specific focus on innovative rubbers, of KTI Poland will enhance Maire’s
(Integrated E&C Solutions) subsidiary as well as in green chemistry, such as footprint in Eastern Europe, bringing
has finalised the acquisition of the entire biofuels and bioplastics. As of June new opportunities and prospects,
share capital of APS Evolution S.r.l. 30, 2024, the companies generated especially in the upgrading of existing
total revenues of €61.7-mn and backlog plants,” the company informed. The
APS Evolution S.r.l. is the parent was €137.3-mn. “This acquisition will agreement provides for an overall cash
company of Italy-based APS Design- enable Maire to expand its engineering consideration of approximately €7.7-mn,
ing Energy S.r.l. and Poland-based KTI capacity by adding a multidisciplinary of which approximately €1.2-mn has
Poland S.A., two engineering firms team of around 290 experts in diffe- been paid, and €6.5-mn in four instal-
involved in the execution of projects rent fields, such as process, automation, ments due within 2030.

168 Chemical Weekly August 20, 2024

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