Page 153 - CW E-Magazine (24-12-2024)

News from Abroad News from Abroad

RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE The EPA expects to prohibit most newly acquired dry-cleaning machines prohibited, there is an analogous use of
BASF inaugurates new catalyst development of TCE use within one year, the release to be prohibited after six months. PCE that can continue safely in perpe-
stated. Some workplace uses of TCE,
tuity under workplace controls. Some
and solids processing centre in Germany such as cleaning parts of aircraft and PCE and TCE are both non-fl amm- examples of uses that will be prohibited
medical devices, will be phased out able chlorinated solvents that are volatile under the TCE rule but will continue
over a longer period but will only con- organic compounds. PCE can biode- under the PCE rule include: industrial
BASF has opened its new Catalyst At the new centre, BASF will tinue with worker protections in place. grade into TCE, and PCE may contain and commercial use as an energised
Development and Solids Processing develop and optimise innovative trace amounts of TCE as an impurity or electrical cleaner; in laboratory use
Centre in Ludwigshafen, Germany. process technologies and catalysis For PCE, the agency is fi nalising a contaminant. The chemicals can often for asphalt testing and recovery; use to
This research facility will serve as a processes. Dr. Detlef Ruff, Senior Vice a 10-year phaseout for its use in dry serve as alternatives for each other. For make refrigerants and other chemicals;
hub for pilot-scale synthesis of chemi- President Process Catalysts at BASF, cleaning, with the use of the chemical in several uses of TCE that will be totally and for vapor degreasing.
cal catalysts. It will also be of central said, “This new centre offers us the
importance for the development of new ideal conditions to transition lab- EXPANDING TIES
solids processing technologies. developed catalysts to production scale.
It will enable us to provide our cus- AkzoNobel to boost coatings supply to Sinopec’s
“With cutting-edge process equip- tomers with high-quality pilot sam-
ment, our new centre enables BASF ples of new catalysts. We can thus global projects
to conduct more focused and rapid deve- demand and the amount of undesired react more fl exibly to the needs of the
lopment of innovative catalyst and pro- by-products. Thereby, they minimise market and supply innovative tech- AkzoNobel’s Marine and Protective strengthen our partnership, refl ecting
cess technologies, which we and our raw material consumption and shrink nological solutions faster – a crucial Coatings business has signed a Memo- our shared vision to advance towards
customers urgently need for the green the carbon footprint of products. Cata- factor in successfully launching new randum of Cooperation with Sinopec a more sustainable future,” said
transformation,” said Dr. Helmut Win- lysts are used in many areas, including products.” (China Petroleum and Chemical Cor- Mr. Simon Parker, Director of Akzo-
terling, President Group Research at the chemical and petrochemical indus- poration) to support the Chinese energy Nobel’s Marine and Protective Coatings
BASF. tries, as well as in innovative processes BASF constructed the new cen- and chemical company’s global expan- business and member of the Executive
essential for the green transformation. tre within three years to replace an sion while jointly promoting the ongo- Committee.
More than 80% of all chemical BASF not only develops catalyst and older building. The new building has ing transition to green energy.
products come into contact with a process technologies for its customers state-of-the-art safety features and is Sinopec is actively promoting the
catalyst at least once during their pro- worldwide, it also uses them in its own equipped with numerous new tech- The partnership – which builds on a transformation and upgrading of its tra-
duction. Catalysts reduce the energy manufacturing plants. nologies for R&D activities. relationship that fi rst started in the early ditional businesses, enhancing its green
2000s – will leverage AkzoNobel’s for storage tanks and high-performance energy supply capabilities and advanc-
CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICALS global presence and centres on the sup- fi reproof coatings. They will be used ing energy conservation and emissions
US EPA bans use of trichloroethylene and perchloro- ply of International brand of high-per- for projects that demand uncompromis- reduction.
formance coatings products to Sinopec ing quality, such as building refi ning
ethylene and its affi liated institutions for over- facilities, natural gas processing plants parties already includes several major
The track record between the two
seas construction projects. It includes and chemical production sites.
The US Environmental Protection reproductive toxicity, US EPA said. The providing anti-corrosive coatings for projects, such as Sinopec Zhenhai
Agency (EPA) has banned two solvents ban applies to all uses of TCE and all steel structures, protective coatings speci- “Having already successfully colla- Refi ning & Chemical Company’s million
known to cause a range of cancers: consumer uses and many commercial fi cally designed for high temperature borated with Sinopec on several ton ethylene project and the Petronas
trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloro- uses for PCE, the release added. resistance, chemical-resistant coatings landmark projects, we are honoured to RAPID project in Malaysia.
ethylene (PCE or Perc).
“It’s simply unacceptable to continue IMCD boosts life science business with Daoqin
The solvents are used in a variety to allow cancer-causing chemicals to
of products, including cleaners, degrea- be used for things like glue, dry clean- acquisition
sers, sealants, lubricants, adhesives, lymphoma, and liver and kidney ing or stain removers when safer alter-
paints and commercial applications cancer. It can also damage the central natives exist,” Mr. Michal Freedhoff, IMCD, the Dutch distributor of Long’en Biotechnology (Guangzhou) and offers, through its technical team and
such as dry cleaning. Safer alternatives nervous system, immune system and assistant administrator for the offi ce of speciality chemicals and ingredients, has Co., Ltd. in China (jointly Daoqin). its laboratory, innovative solutions to
are already available for the majority reproductive organs, with risks even chemical safety and pollution preven- agreed to acquire the business of the its customers in the food, personal care
of uses, according to US-EPA press at very small exposure concentrations. tion, said in the release. “These rules food and nutraceutical ingredient distri- Established in 2011, Daoqin specia- and pharmaceutical industries. Daoqin
statement. PCE causes liver, kidney, brain and testi- are grounded in the best-available butor, Daoqin Biological Technology lises in the distribution of functional is headquartered in Shanghai, and gene-
cular cancer, as well as damage to the science that demonstrates the harmful (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Longyu Inter- nutrition, nutraceutical and food ingre- rated a revenue of approximately €16-mn
TCE is known to cause non-Hodgkin’s immune system, neurotoxicity and impacts of PCE and TCE,” he informed. national Trade (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., and dients. It represents leading suppliers in 2023 with 21 employees.

152 Chemical Weekly December 24, 2024 Chemical Weekly December 24, 2024 153

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