Page 159 - CW E-Magazine (25-6-2024)

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DIVESTMENT PRODUCT SAFETY
DSM-Firmenich to sell yeast extract business US-EPA proposes rule to limit consumer exposure

to Lesaffre to solvent, NMP

DSM-Firmenich has announced an ply yeast extracts produced in Delft (in The US Environmental Protection NMP is used to manufacture and where their more frequent use could
agreement to sell its yeast extract busi- the Netherlands) to Lesaffre until the Agency (EPA) has announced a pro- produce many electronics, polymers, pose risks.
ness to Lesaffre, a France-based player end of 2025, after which point the yeast posed rule under the Toxic Substances agricultural chemicals and petrochemi-
in fermentation and micro-organisms. extracts production in Delft will be Control Act (TSCA) that would protect cal products. It has numerous industrial, EPA is proposing to ban the com-
Financial details of the deal were not discontinued. workers and consumers from exposure commercial and consumer applica- mercial use of NMP in automotive care
disclosed. Yeast extracts is part of to the solvent N-methylpyrrolidone tions, including adhesives and sealants, products, cleaning and degreasing pro-
DSM-Firmenich’s Taste, Texture & DSM-Firmenich said it remains (NMP). paints and coatings, paint removers, ducts, metal products and cleaning and
Health business unit, with annual sales committed to Delft, which is the com- lubricants, automotive care products, furniture care products because EPA
of about €120-mn. pany’s largest location in the Nether- EPA’s 2020 risk evaluation had degreasers, cleaning and furniture care believes these uses cannot safely continue.
lands with more than 1,000 employees found that this chemical causes serious products. EPA is also proposing to ban the use of
As part of DSM-Firmenich’s tuning working in science & research, food health effects, including miscarriages NMP in antifreeze, de-icing products
of its portfolio, the company de-priori- yeast extracts to DSM-Firmenich for its applications and is home to the global and reduced fertility. If fi nalised, the To protect consumers from expo- and lubricants because it believes these
tised certain business segments. The Savory business. In addition, DSM- headquarters of the Taste, Texture & rule would limit the concentration of sure to NMP in glues and adhesives, uses have already ceased. The proposed
divestment from Yeast Extracts is an out- Firmenich and Lesaffre will enter a Health business unit. DSM-Firmenich is NMP that would be allowed in some EPA is proposing a NMP concentra- rule would also ban the commercial use
come of that strategic review process, technology partnership for the deve- currently building its new Taste, Texture & consumer and commercial products, esta- tion limit of no greater than 45%, of NMP in fertilisers and other agricul-
which was announced on June 3. lopment of yeast extracts. Health headquarters with application blish strict workplace health controls as well as container size limits and tural chemical manufacturing processes
facilities such as a bakery, cheese for many uses of NMP, and ban some labelling requirements for other types because EPA does not currently have
As part of the transaction, Lesaffre After the completion of the deal, factory, sensory laboratory, and demon- uses that cannot safely continue and for of consumer products so that they information demonstrating that they
will enter into an agreement to supply DSM-Firmenich will continue to sup- stration kitchen, which will open in 2025. which alternatives exist. are not used in commercial settings could be safely continued.

REPEAT SAFETY INCIDENTS TECHNOLOGY LICENSING
US Chemical Safety Board to probe HF release Lummus and Clariant bag new contract for dehydro-

at Honeywell facility genation plant in China

The US Chemical Safety and Hazard at the facility sheltered in place. Lummus Technology, a provider
Investigation Board (CSB) said it is Property damage at the facility is of process technologies, and Clariant
investigating a release of highly toxic estimated to be $4-mn. No one was have announced that China’s Qing-
hydrofl uoric acid (HF) that occurred seriously injured or killed in this yang Tongxin Petroleum Technology
on June 7, 2024, at Honeywell’s fl uo- event, but the release could have Co., Ltd. has selected Lummus’ Catofi n
rine products facility in Geismar, The other two serious recent inci- put workers at the facility and near- technology for a new paraffi n dehydro-
Louisiana (USA). Honeywell had reported dents reported at the facility were: by residents at serious risk under genation unit in Qingyang City, Gansu
that a contract maintenance employee,  On October 21, 2021, a Honeywell different circumstances. Province, China. The unit will be de-
exposed to the HF while performing employee died after being exposed to signed to process 300-ktpa of combined
maintenance activities at the facility, HF on unprotected areas of his face, The CSB launched an investigation propane and isobutane from liquefi ed
was hospitalised. HF is an extremely ear, and neck when a gasket in piping into the January 2023 incident earlier petroleum gas (LPG) feedstock to pro- neering, training and technical advisory increasing productivity, often beyond
toxic and corrosive gas and liquid used at the facility catastrophically failed. this year. The CSB’s investigation is duce chemicals and refi ned products. services. design capacity (up to 110% on average),
in the refi ning and chemical industries.  On January 23, 2023, a heat exchang- currently ongoing. The CSB’s board giving producers a signifi cantly high-
er ruptured at the Honeywell facility, members are appointed by the Presi- Lummus is the exclusive licensor The Catofi n process combines Lum- er return on investments, and enabling
“This is the third serious incident resulting in an explosion and the re- dent subject to Senate confi rmation. The for the Catofi n and Catadiene techno- mus’s PDH technology with Clariant’s more profi table daily operations. The
involving the release of HF at this faci- lease of approximately 870 pounds Board does not issue citations or fi nes, logies, which utilise Clariant’s catalysts. catalysts and Heat Generating Material Qingyang Tongxin project marks the
lity in the last three years. This cannot of HF (as well as 1,700 pounds of but makes safety recommendations to (HGM) to convert LPG to on-purpose 40th plant since 2017 to employ Catofi n
keep happening,” said CSB Chair- chlorine). Local offi cials closed companies, industry organisations, The scope of this award includes olefi ns with unsurpassed reliability. The technology and catalysts for paraffin
person, Mr. Steve Owens. nearby highways, and workers labour groups, and regulatory agencies. the technology license and basic engi- process has a proven track record of dehydrogenation.

158 Chemical Weekly June 25, 2024 Chemical Weekly June 25, 2024 159

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