Page 163 - CW E-Magazine (27-2-2024)

News from Abroad

late 2024, with plans to grow output to focused supply chain and reduce its Novonix claims its proprietary
20,000-tpa. carbon footprint. graphitisation furnaces are unique
when it comes to large-scale production
“This agreement will allow Pana- When it comes to lithium-ion of synthetic graphite as they reduce an
sonic Energy to procure 10,000-tonnes batteries, synthetic graphite offers otherwise lengthy process to around
of graphite from Novonix’s North enhanced battery durability compared three days per cycle.
American operations over four years, to natural graphite enabling reliable
a strategically important step in the performance during several cycles of “This innovation is expected to
reduction of the environmental impact charging and discharging. However, reduce the levels of CO emitted during
2
of its supply chain,” Panasonic Energy a major drawback in the traditional the production of synthetic graphite com-
said in a statement. methods of synthetic graphite pro- pared to conventional Acheson furnaces.
duction is that it involves lengthy It represents a significant contribution
The latest move by Panasonic high-temperature treatment, which towards Panasonic Energy’s goal of
Energy aligns with the company’s poses environmental challenges due to halving its carbon footprint, and demon-
medium- to long-term strategy that its high energy consumption – resulting strates its commitment to environmental
aims to strengthen its North America- in carbon emissions. sustainability,” Panasonic Energy added.
PROJECT PROGRESS
AkzoNobel expands its largest powder coatings plant

in Italy

Dutch paints & coatings major, “The new lines also use recycled energy
AkzoNobel, has announced the com- and are focused on meeting the highest
pletion of a major capacity expansion standards in sustainable production,
at its powder coatings site in Como, supporting the company’s ambition to
Italy, which will help secure supply to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by
customers across Europe, Middle East 2030,” the company informed.
and Africa (EMEA).
AkzoNobel said its Como site is
Four new manufacturing lines are the products meet and exceed industry its largest plant for producing powder
now operational following the €21-mn standards. coatings. It supplies products for seven
project – two of them dedicated to auto- main market segments: home appliances;
motive primers and two to architec- The extra capacity in Como has architecture; automotive; agriculture and
tural coatings. New bonding equipment been installed in a renovated building construction machinery; trade coaters;
lines have also been added, ensuring where powder coatings were made. furniture; and general industry.
DuPont Teijin Films rebrands to Mylar Specialty Films

DuPont Teijin Films, a leading pro- PET film in the 1950s,” the company but will continue to operate as DuPont
ducer of differentiated polyester films, informed. The company ownership Hongji Films until further notice, the
has been renamed to Mylar Specialty remains unchanged being a joint ven- company said.
Films. The change applies to all global ture between US-based Celanese and
operations and offices located in the Japan’s Teijin, and the company will “Proudly building on our 70-years
US, Europe and Asia. continue to market the Melinex PET, of producing Mylar polyester films, this
Hongji PET, and Kaladex PEN range rebranding is a salute to our history as
“The choice of the new company of products in addition to Mylar PET well as signals our continued commit-
name reflects the heritage of the branded films. The JV operations with ment to innovation and leadership in
Mylar brand, which was introduced FSPG Hi-Tech Co., Ltd. in China will the market,” said Mr. Steve Gendreau,
as the world’s first biaxially oriented also be re-branded in the near future, CEO of Mylar Specialty Films.

Chemical Weekly February 27, 2024 163

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