Page 140 - CW E-Magazine (9-7-2024)

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CASTOR OIL DERIVATIVES

Certifi ed bio-based PU under ‘Pragati’ project helps

BASF offer sustainable footwear solutions

Germany’s BASF together with beans. Over 7,000 hectares of gene- The demand for sustainable foot-
the world’s fi rst sustainable castor pro- rally semi-arid land are now farmed wear solutions has been growing
gramme ‘Pragati’, has introduced certi- according to the SuCCESS sustain- steadily in tandem with consumer
fi ed traceability for bio-based solutions ability code since its introduction in awareness. Footwear brands and
in footwear. the region. manufacturers have a clear goal to
enhance the sustainability aspects of
‘Pragati’ was founded in May 2016 BASF said it can now extend full their products without compromising
by French chemicals fi rm Arkema, transparency and traceability to bio- on cost, performance or quality. Bio-
BASF, Mumbai-based oleochemicals based footwear solutions with the based solutions offer enhanced sus-
fi rm, Jayant Agro-Organics, along with SuCCESS code. tainability by reducing fossil resource
implementation partner, Solidaridad. consumption. Additionally, castor
Pragati was established with the unifi ed “The footwear segment has been at oil is derived from the seeds of the
sustainability code SuCCESS (Sustain- the forefront of implementing sustain- non-edible castor oil plant (Ricinus
able Castor Caring for Environmental able solutions at BASF. With the avail- communis). As it can grow in arid or
and Social Standards) that sets a stan- ability of certifi ed traceable bio-based semi-arid regions, it requires less
dard for certifi ed sustainable castor oil polyurethane solutions, we are well- water as well. The dried beans also
and its derivatives – such as bio-based positioned to serve the growing demand have a long shelf life.
polyurethane (PU). for eco-friendly solutions for the foot-
wear business in Asia,” said Mr. Andy “Meanwhile, we are looking to ex-
The programme was launched in Postlethwaite, Senior Vice President, tend the use of this bio-based solution
Gujarat, as the region produces about Performance Materials Asia Pacifi c, to other segment applications as well,”
70% of the world’s supply of castor BASF. added Mr. Postlethwaite.

GROWING PRESENCE

Aditya Birla Group’s chemicals business to invest

$50-mn in manufacturing, R&D centre in US

The Aditya Birla Group’s chemi- Aditya Birla Group said. The Aditya fi cant part of the over $2-bn market
cal business is venturing into the US Birla Group is already present in the for US epoxy solutions,” said Mr. Jayant
with a $50-mn investment by setting US through Hindalco Industries-owned Dhobley, CEO and business head
up a manufacturing and R&D facility Novelis Inc. and Aleris Inc., and Georgia- for Global Chemicals at Aditya Birla
at Beaumont in Texas. based Birla Carbon. It currently has Group.
an investment of more than $15-bn in
The investment will be done by businesses in the US, and is the largest Aditya Birla Group’s Vice President
Aditya Birla Chemicals (Thailand) Ltd., Indian investor in the US as of now. of Sales and Marketing Mr. Scott Bas-
through its wholly owned subsidiary tion, said, “We look forward to com-
in the USA, Aditya Birla Chemicals The new facility will be an ad- missioning the site in the next 15 to 20
(USA) Inc. “The development of a new vanced materials site, that will be used months. This will be the fourth expan-
chemicals facility represents a signifi - to develop and manufacture customised sion on behalf of the epoxy business into
cant expansion of our ambitions in the speciality products and epoxy solutions the USA”. The company has acquired 35
Americas and a continuation of our for the US market. “By investing in this acres of land in Beaumont, Texas – stra-
strategy to apply our deep manufacturing important project and expanding our tegically located on the US Gulf Coast
expertise in new markets,” Mr. Kumar US presence, our chemicals business near major energy and materials provi-
Mangalam Birla, the Chairman of the will be well-positioned to capture a signi- ders – for the fi rst phase of this project.

140 Chemical Weekly July 9, 2024

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