Page 154 - CW E-Magazine (26-12-2023)

News from Abroad News from Abroad

LUBE ADDITIVES MODERNISATION
Lanxess raises capacity of light-colour sulphur Covestro upgrading TDI facility in Germany

carriers at German site To further strengthen the sustaina- “The fi rst phase of the project has

bility and competitiveness of toluene now been successfully completed
German speciality chemicals com- diisocyanate (TDI) production for with the lifting of the equipment into
pany, Lanxess, has completed the the manufacture of fl exible foams in the plant. All further measures will be
expansion of its production capacity for Europe, German polymer major, implemented gradually until spring
sustainable light-colour sulphur carriers Covestro, is investing a “mid to high 2025. This will ensure a continuous
by several kilotonnes. These high-per- double-digit million euro amount” in supply of TDI to customers,” the com-
formance additives for lubricants are the modernisation of its production pany informed.
mainly used in the metal-working plant in Dormagen (Germany) by 2025.
industry. The modernisation is partly funded by in the future. According to Covestro, The TDI plant in Dormagen has a
the German government. the modernisation will signifi cantly capacity of 300-ktpa. It uses the gas
“The project, with an investment improve the plant’s energy effi ciency phase technology developed by Coves-
volume in the double-digit millions, The plant was commissioned in and thereby reduce CO emissions. tro, which even before modernisation
2
was completed at the Mannheim early 2015 and is considered one of After the modernisation, the plant is required up to 60% less energy and up
(Germany) site in around two years as the most advanced TDI facilities in expected to consume up to 80% less to 80% less solvent than conventional
planned. The additional volumes will the world. The work will include the energy than conventional processes for processes. The current investment will
be available from 2024,” the company Sebastian Förster, Head of Site Management, David Addo, Head of Global Projects & installation of a modern reactor that will the production of TDI, and greenhouse signifi cantly increase the effi ciency
Engineering, Neelenjan Banerjee, Head of Business Unit Lubricants Additives, Anno
said in a press note. Borkowsky, Board of Management, Christian Specht, Lord Mayor of the city of Mannheim, enable the reaction energy to be used gas emissions is expected to be reduced and therefore sustainability of the plant
Bernd Kray, Head of Global Production & Technology, and Anke Blaul, Head of LAB-Plant, for energy-effi cient steam generation by a further 22-ktpa. even further.
“Sustainability is becoming an start up the expanded plant for sustainable sulphur carriers
increasingly important topic for our blue Additin EP. They are highly effec- “With their favourable eco-toxi- PPG opens aerospace application support centre
customers. With our sustainable tive in reducing wear on metal surfaces cological profi le and excellent perfor-
light-colour sulphur carriers, we have and prevent cold welding. These addi- mance even at high machining speed and in France
the right offering to meet customer tives are used in metal-working fl uids, in heavy-duty metalworking processes,
needs and further expand our market as well as greases, gear oils and slide- Additin EP and Scopeblue Additin EP American coatings major, PPG, has
position in extreme pressure additives,” way oils. are an effective solution for formulators announced the opening of a $17-mn
said Mr. Neelanjan Banerjee, Head who wish to replace substances such aerospace Application Support Centre
of the Lanxess Lubricant Additives Most Additin EP are eco-friendly as medium-chain chlorinated paraffi ns, (ASC), its 17th worldwide, in Toulouse,
Business (LAB). and based on locally sourced, renewa- which have been classifi ed as Sub- France. The facility provides fi lling
ble raw materials, such as rapeseed oil stances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) and packaging capabilities for aero-
Reduce wear and avoid cold welding and its ester derivatives. Lanxess has by the European Chemicals Agency space materials, including coatings
Lanxess offers a broad range of labelled the variants based on more than (ECHA) due to their environmental and sealants for a wide range of aircraft,
Extreme Pressure (EP) additives under 50% sustainable raw materials with its persistence and high bioaccumulation as well as technical support and a labo-
the brand names Additin EP and Scope- sustainability brand, Scopeblue. potential,” the company said. ratory.

BLOCKCHAIN The location of ASC Toulouse will
Circularise secures SAFE investment from Sekisui help the company to provide faster
product deliveries to aerospace custo-
Chemical mers in southern Europe and North
Africa.

Circularise, a blockchain platform The strategic alliance, which passport, and testing mass balance “This new facility will signifi cantly cois Buehlmann, PPG general manager It also houses fi lling lines for touch-up
for supply chain transparency and involves an investment in Circular- traceability software in their supply enhance our responsiveness and cus- EMEA, Aerospace. The ASC compri- kits, a transparencies inspection cell,
traceability, has announced the suc- ise by Sekisui Chemical, goes beyond chain.With this SAFE, Sekisui joins a tomer support capabilities, while en- ses a laboratory for the development of customised packaging capabilities for
cessful closure of a Simple Agreement fi nancial support, as the latter will jointly line-up of investors including Bright- abling the qualifi cation of our unique aerospace materials, a colour blending third-party products, chemical manage-
for Future Equity (SAFE) with Sekisui participate in a chemical’s traceability lands Venture Partners, Asahi Kasei, materials earlier in the product deve- area for coatings and a spray booth for ment resources, and a customer service
Chemical, a plastics company. project, introducing a digital product Neste, 4impact, and others. lopment cycle,” emphasised Mr. Fran- hands-on training of paint applications. centre.

154 Chemical Weekly December 26, 2023 Chemical Weekly December 26, 2023 155

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