Page 153 - CW E-Magazine (27-8-2024)

News from Abroad

EXPANSION
Knight Material Technologies triples capacity at new

US Gulf Coast facility

Knight Material Technologies company’s available manufacturing/ located on the Gulf Coast, this expansion
(KMT), a US-based provider of custom service capacity – offers comprehen- allows us to be more responsive and
acid-resistant linings for the chemical sive services for corrosion protection flexible by offering a unique combina-
process and mining industries, has an- that directly address challenges in the tion of specialty lining requirements to
nounced the opening of its new facility chemical processing industry to pro- meet their needs,” he added.
in the Houston area. tect and extend the lifespan of critical
equipment. The company said it can now more
“This 21,000-square-foot location easily accommodate projects that would
will serve as a centralised hub for the “Our new Houston-area facility have proven challenging at the old faci-
company’s three complementary di- joins all three divisions, KMT, Electro lity, such as specialised quench vessels
visions, combining expertise to better Chemical Manufacturing (ECM) and for hydrochloric acid applications.
serve customers in the Gulf Coast re- Superior Dual Laminates (SDL), in
gion, particularly for chemical process- this modern, spacious location. These The KMT family of products in-
ing and speciality chemicals compa- combined capabilities allow us to ad- cludes ceramic-based high-temperature
nies,” the company said in a press note. dress a wide range of lining applica- and corrosion-resistant brick, mortars
The Gulf Coast is home to more than tions specifically designed for highly and packing materials (KMT), fluoro-
half of US downstream chemical pro- aggressive, corrosive environments,” polymer-lined corrosion equipment
duction. stated Mr. Kevin Brooks, President of from ECM, and fluoropolymer-lined
Knight Material Technologies. “With fiberglass-reinforced plastic piping,
This new facility – which triples the a high concentration of our customers headers and tanks from SDL.

GAS DIVERSION
Methanex to temporarily idle New Zealand operations

Canada-based methanol major, energy balances are currently very
Methanex Corporation, has entered into strained due to seasonally high demand
short-term commercial arrangements to combined with low hydro levels and
provide its contracted natural gas into relatively lower gas supply in 2024
the New Zealand electricity market. compared with previous years. We have
As a result, it is temporarily idling its been working closely with energy pro-
manufacturing operations in New Zea- viders, other gas users and the govern-
land until the end of October 2024. ment of New Zealand on how we can
be part of the solution. We believe these
These commercial arrangements are agreements will play an important role
expected to positively impact Metha- to support the energy sector and to facili-
nex’s Q3 and Q4 2024 earnings with tate this we are making the appropriate
after-tax proceeds expected to mean- adjustments to utilise our global supply
ingfully exceed the margin lost on New chain to ensure we continue to provide
Zealand methanol production delivered our customers with methanol supply
to customers. The commercial arrange- depending on electricity pricing over security. We have natural gas contracted
ments are structured to provide Metha- the period. in New Zealand through 2029 and are
nex with a base price for each unit of committed to working with all parties
gas delivered with further incremental Mr. Rich Sumner, President and to improve the structural energy
value shared between the parties CEO, commented, “New Zealand’s balances in the country.”

Chemical Weekly August 27, 2024 153

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