Page 134 - CW E-Magazine (4-6-2024)

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BIO-BASED CHEMICALS

Godavari Biorefi neries inaugurates multi-purpose

speciality chemicals plant at Sakharwadi

Godavari Biorefi neries Ltd., a lead-
ing supplier of alcohol-based chemicals,
formally inaugurated its new multi-
purpose speciality chemicals plant,
located at Sakharwadi, near Shirdi,
in Maharashtra, on May 24, 2024.

The plant, which has been in opera-
tion for about six months, was formally
inaugurated at the hands of Prof. M.M.
Sharma, former Director, Institute of
Chemical Technology, in the presence
of the Consul General of the Kingdom
of the Netherlands, Mr. Jong De Bart,
and senior offi cials of GBL includ-
ing Mr. Samir Somaiya, Chairman &
Managing Director; Dr. Sangeeta Sri-
vastava, Executive Director; Dr. (Mrs.)
Lakshmi Kantam, Director, and
Mr. Coen Faber, Director.

The new capacity will greatly aug-
ment the company’s ability to produced
bio-based speciality chemicals, reduce
imports of these and open new export
markets. Among the products it will
produce is ethyl vinyl ether (EVE),
which is used as an intermediate in the
manufacture of agrochemicals, aroma
chemicals, pharmaceuticals and lube oil
additives. The entire national require-
ment of this intermediate is currently
imported, and demand is growing.

While the conventional process for
making EVE (and other mono- and di-
vinyl ethers), was developed by Reppe in
the 1930s at BASF, by treating alcohols range of vinyl ethers (e.g., methyl, butyl) – dehyde can be a ‘platform’ molecule for
with acetylene under high temperatures all bio-based and produced in safe and GBL. Produced from bio-based ethanol,
and pressures, GBL’s novel route makes green processes, obviating the dangers it can be further derivatized through
use of ethanol and acetaldehyde – both of handling acetylene under pressure in a variety of chemistries to produce a
made from bio-based raw materials. This concentrated form. range of fi ne and speciality chemicals.
low-carbon footprint route to EVE, can “Acetaldehyde can be a kingpin for
be broadened (by choosing the appropri- Acetaldehyde as a platform chemical growth of GBL,” Prof. Sharma noted
ate alcohol) to enable the production of a According to Prof. Sharma, acetal- in his address at the inauguration. On

134 Chemical Weekly June 4, 2024

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