Page 172 - CW E-Magazine (20-8-2024)

News from Abroad

GREENER ALTERNATIVE
BASF switching portfolio to bio-based ethyl acrylate

BASF is moving ahead on biotrans- tent originated from fossil based acry- in solution for many applications. From
formation of its (meth)acrylate portfo- lic acid is ISCC PLUS certified, and Q4 2024 onwards, we will phase out
lio and is switching production to bio- by applying BASF’s biomass balance fossil-based EA and exclusively of-
based ethyl acrylate (EA) starting Q4 (BMB2) approach, this variant offers fer bio-based EA going forward,” said
2024. a further reduced product carbon foot- Dr. Reiner Geier, BASF’s Senior Vice
print. President Industrial Petrochemicals Europe.
With a 14C-traceable bio content of
40% according to DIN EN 16640 and a BASF’s bio-based EA is produced BASF’s bio-based EA uses sus-
low Product Carbon Footprint (PCF1), in Ludwigshafen using bioethanol tainable bioethanol predominantly
bio-based EA from BASF helps custo- exclusively as alcohol source. The from European sources with grain as
mers worldwide to reach their sus- chemical and technical specifications a feedstock. The bioethanol is mainly
tainability goals. The product offers a of the new bio-based product are iden- produced from residues of starch pro-
PCF reduction of ~30% compared to tical with the traditional fossil-based duction, lower quality grains or molas-
fossil-based EA. Additionally to regu- version. ses, all of which are not used in food
lar bio-based EA, BASF also offers production. Grains that are neither suit-
bio-based ‘Ethyl Acrylate BMB ISCC “With bio-based EA we can offer able for use as food nor feed can also be
Plus’. Here, the remaining carbon con- our customers a readily available drop- used for bioethanol production.

MARKETING COLLABORATION
Azelis inks Indonesian distribution deal with Allnex

Belgium’s Azelis has announced a improving flow and levelling, reduc- chain in the CASE segment in Indo-
new distribution agreement in Indo- ing foam, and enhancing pigment nesia, enabling it to serve customers
nesia with Allnex, a leading supplier dispersibility and adhesion. The man- with a more comprehensive range of
of industrial coating resins and addi- date complements Azelis’ lateral value solutions.
tives. Effective immediately, Azelis PLAYING IT SAFE
will distribute Allnex’s range of
additives for the coatings, adhesives, Sidara not to pursue takeover talks
sealants, and elastomers (CASE)
segment. with Wood Group on rising risks

Building on a longstanding com- UK-based engineering company, taken “in light of rising geopolitical
mercial relationship between Allnex Sidara, has pulled out of a potential risks and financial market uncer-
and Azelis in other regions, the part- takeover of John Wood Group, blaming tainty.”
nership in Indonesia will broaden ‘rising geopolitical risks and financial
Azelis’ presence in the CASE seg- market uncertainty.’ Sidara is the latest business since
ment. Allnex’s range of environmen- private equity giant Apollo Global Man-
tally-friendly additives, including low Sidara made a 230 pence-a-share agement to abandon attempts to acquire
volatile organic compounds (VOC) approach to Wood in May, represent- Wood Group. Apollo put forward five
wetting and dispersing agents, and ing a 52% premium. The offer valued offers, with the last of them valuing the
hazardous air pollutant substance-free Wood Group at £1.6-bn ($2-bn), after Wood Group at £1.7-bn, before walk-
(HAPS-free) flow modifiers caters to three prior unsolicited proposals were ing away in May 2023 without giving
diverse industry applications to opti- rejected. Wood Group entered take- an explanation. Wood Group employs
mise paint formulations. The product over discussions with Sidara, but hav- more than 35,000 people across 60
line boosts the performance of indus- ing completed its due diligence, Sidara countries who provide consultation and
trial and decorative paint formulations announced it does not plan to make a engineering services for the energy and
by adjusting rheological properties, formal bid. It said the decision was materials industries.

172 Chemical Weekly August 20, 2024

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