Page 155 - CW E-Magazine (27-8-2024)

News from Abroad

COLLABORATION
Raízen and Vertoro join forces to enhance lignin

valorisation

Brazil’s Raízen and Dutch bio- enhance both the efficiency and power
tech firm, Vertoro, have announced output of biofuel production. Simul-
the signing of a Joint Development taneously, the partnership will assess
Agreement (JDA) to enhance the value the feasibility of using this blend in oil
of lignin by transforming it into refining processes to create Sustaina-
advanced, sustainable biofuels, chemi- patented approach transforms woody ble Aviation Fuel (SAF), sustainable
cals, and materials. As a second-gene- and other agricultural residues into a marine fuel and various other chemi-
ration feedstock, lignin boasts a very wide range of bio-based chemicals, cals. Additionally, the companies will
low carbon footprint, making it an materials, and fuels. focus on developing pure, low mole-
ideal solution for decarbonising hard- cular weight lignin, suitable for use in
to-abate sectors. “Raízen already plays a pivotal chemical and material applications.
role in the global energy transition
As the world’s largest producer by being the only company that has “We are excited to partner with
of second-generation ethanol, Raízen succeeded in producing cellulosic Raízen on what is set to become the
generates substantial amounts of lignin ethanol on a commercial scale. Now, world’s most substantial lignin valo-
as a by-product alongside its sustain- by integrating our growing 2nd gen- risation endeavour. This partnership
able ethanol operation, presenting a eration ethanol production with Ver- promises to demonstrate conclusively
unique opportunity to contribute to the toro’s innovative lignin conversion that lignin can be both a financially-
global energy transition by offering technology, we foresee a transforma- and industrially-viable resource,” said
new low-carbon renewable applica- tion in the way lignin is perceived and Mr. Michael Boot, Vertoro’s co-founder
tions for different sectors. Raizen has utilised globally,” said Mr. Mateus and co-CEO.
an expected lignin production capacity Lopes, Energy Transition Director at
of 1.5-mtpa (wet basis) across seven Raizen. The collaboration will initially
already announced and two currently focus on producing large-scale sam-
operating E2G plants. The potential Throughout the agreement, Raízen ples of Raízen’s new lignin products
production is up to 3.4-million tons and Vertoro will engage in three col- at Vertoro’s running demo plant in the
(wet basis) across 20 E2G plants. Ver- laborative initiatives. The first in- Netherlands. These samples will be
toro will apply its innovative techno- volves developing a unique blend of distributed to selected producers in the
logy to this collaboration, focusing on lignin with ethanol or methanol, uti- fuel, chemical, and materials sectors for
upgrading the lignin into a form that lising Vertoro’s ‘Goldilocks’ process, application testing. The ultimate goal is
dissolves and blends more easily with that allows lignin application in higher to secure offtake agreements for a com-
other materials, thereby simplifying its value products. This blend is designed mercial-scale production site, which
transformation and making it suitable to be used as sustainable fuel in dual- will be integrated into Raizen’s 2nd
for a variety of applications. Vertoro’s fuel maritime engines, aiming to generation ethanol facilities.
Sika expands mortar production in Indonesia

Swiss construction chemicals firm, worldwide. To meet the strong demand mortar plants in Indonesia, with Bekasi
Sika, has more than doubled the pro- in the country, Sika has increased the being the largest.
duction capacity at the Bekasi plant, production capacity at its Bekasi plant,
its biggest manufacturing facility in which first opened in 2019. The ex- “The significant expansion of our
Indonesia. Located near Jakarta, this site panded facility has state-of-the-art supply chain in Indonesia enables us to
specialises in the production of mortars production lines and increased storage better meet the strong demand in one
such as tiles adhesives, grouts, as well capacity, and also serves as a distribu- of the most dynamic markets in South-
as wall and facade systems. Indonesia tion hub in the country. Currently, Sika east Asia,” said Mr. Philippe Jost,
ranks among the top five tile markets has more than 600 employees and four Regional Manager Asia/Pacific.

Chemical Weekly August 27, 2024 155

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