Page 157 - CW E-Magazine (12-12-2023)

News from Abroad

BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION
Finboot partners with Cepsa Chemicals to streamline

its supply chain

Finboot, the Spanish blockchain Marco Track & Trace in two of its
focussed technology company, has product lines: ‘NextLab-R’, which is
announced the launch of a new digital produced at Puente Mayorga (Spain)
ecosystem specially designed for and Camaçari (Brazil); and ‘LAB Low
Cepsa Chemicals, a part of Spain’s Carbon’ (integrating low CO emis-
2
energy group, Cepsa. sions), produced at its Bécancour plant
in Canada.
In early 2023, Cepsa Química
had announced the launch of ‘Next- Mr. David Liras, Director, Cepsa
Lab’ branded sustainable linear alkyl- Chemicals commented, “We partnered
benzene (LAB) used to manufacture ability of vegetable oil from source to with Finboot because they are an expe-
biodegradable detergents for domestic its use in biodegradable surfactant pro- rienced and innovative company in its
use. ‘NextLab’ is produced with sus- duction. Finboot said the solution will sector. Its product enabled us to rapidly
tainable raw materials, such as palm enable Cepsa to easily gather, verify, implement a digital traceability eco-
and coconut oil using the mass balance and share enriched supply chain data. system powered by blockchain techno-
approach, with a reduced Greenhouse “Cepsa can easily create and share fully logy, which ensures that every step of
Gas (GHG) footprint.
auditable Digital Product Passports our supply chain is securely recorded,
Finboot said its digital traceability with evidence-backed claims on the enhancing our credibility and account-
solution, Marco Track & Trace, will sustainability of ‘NextLab’,” it added. ability. This innovation will help us to
enable Cepsa to implement an auditable maintain our client’s trust in our renew-
and transparent ecosystem for the trace- In this first phase, Cepsa will use able chemicals.”
MOVING TOWARDS RESTRICTION
ECHA identifies risks from PVC additives and

microparticle releases

The European Chemicals Agency key findings suggest that regulatory their releases would consequently
(ECHA) said its investigation found action would be needed to: reduce emissions of these additives.
that some substances added to poly- * Minimise risks associated with
vinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, like plasti- plasticisers, particularly certain The risks from PVC resin to workers
cisers, may pose risks to people and the ortho-phthalates, which are harmful and the environment are considered
environment. To limit the use of these to reproduction; adequately controlled with the current
additives and to minimise releases of * Minimise risks from heat stabilising operational conditions and companies’
PVC microparticles, regulatory action organotins, such as DOTE, which safety measures, ECHA said. This
would be necessary. may cause developmental malfor- conclusion followed an analysis of the
mations and reproductive harm; materials used in making PVC resin,
The investigation followed the * Reduce emissions of flame retar- the production process, waste disposal
European Commission’s request to ECHA dants; and and exposure to PVC dust.
to collect information on the potential * Implement and improve techno-
risks of PVC additives and PVC itself logies that minimise PVC micropar- ECHA’s investigation has been sent
to human health and the environment. ticle emissions especially at recyc- to the European Commission, which
The investigation focused on 63 PVC ling facilities and landfills. These will assess it and decide whether there
additives, including plasticisers, heat microparticles also contain harmful is a need to formally ask ECHA to
stabilisers and flame retardants. The additives, and therefore, minimising prepare a REACH restriction proposal.

Chemical Weekly December 12, 2023 157
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