Page 160 - CW E-Magazine (17-12-2024)

News from Abroad

PROJECT UPDATE
Chinese firm begins commercial production of carbonates

from CO based on Asahi Kasei technology
2
Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical
(Sailboat) has started commercial ope-
ration of a new carbonates plant in
Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China,
in November 2024. The plant uses tech-
nology licensed from Japan’s Asahi
Kasei for the production of high-purity
ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl
carbonate (DMC) with carbon dioxide
(CO ) as a main raw material. Both carbo
2
nates are used as electrolyte solvents
in lithium-ion batteries for electric
vehicles.
use of electric power storage systems CO as feedstock, the total amount of
2
In the early 2000s, Asahi Kasei (ESS) in conjunction with growing CO used as feedstock is approximately
2
developed process technology to produce use of renewable energy. In September 300-ktpa, including the production of
various chemical products using CO 2021, Asahi Kasei and Sailboat signed polycarbonate as well as carbonates.
2
as a main raw material. The technology a license agreement for process tech-
has been licensed to chemical com- nology to produce 38-ktpa of high-purity Mr. Hiroyoshi Matsuyama, Senior
panies globally, with the first licensee EC and 70-ktpa of high-purity DMC. Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei and
starting the production of polycarbo- The two parties jointly performed the President of its Environmental Solutions
nate using CO in 2002. Since then, design, construction, and commission- SBU, said, “By licensing this technology
2
Asahi Kasei has been expanding its ing of a production plant. Having started for a more sustainable production of
expertise in the field of CO -based pro- commercial operation in November these important materials, we will conti-
2
duction of resins and other chemicals, 2024, the plant has the capacity to use nue to focus on the practical applica-
including carbonates. Demand for lithium- 54-ktpa of CO as feedstock. With seve- tion of our expertise in the field of CO
2
2
ion batteries is expected to continue ral licensees now adopting this pro- chemistry and contribute to a sustaina-
increasing due to the global shift to EVs cess technology for the large-scale pro- ble society by providing solutions to the
in the automotive industry and greater duction of high-purity carbonates using world’s environmental challenges.”
BUSINESS REVIEW
Govt. audit pegs Orlen’s petchem project loss

at $1.2-bn

Polish oil and gas company Orlen and will decide by December between Mr. Jaworowski said in a press release. The
is estimated to have lost 5-bn zlotys “optimising,” suspending or terminating largest were those incurred by Orlen,
($1.22-bn) on its olefins petrochemicals the investment. The Ministry of State he said. He said about 50 notifications
project, State Assets Minister Jakub Assets’ audit of state treasury compa- have been submitted to the prosecutor’s
Jaworowski informed as he presented nies was launched after a new coali- office and there may be more.
the results of an audit of state-owned tion government led by Donald Tusk
companies. took power. The audit revealed losses Executives who served at state com-
from unsuccessful investments and panies under the previous Law and Jus-
Orlen has said it will not contin- unjustified expenses at the companies tice (PiS) government have previously
ue with the project in its current form of at least “several billion zlotys,” rejected accusations of wrongdoing.

160 Chemical Weekly December 17, 2024

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised