Page 163 - CW E-Magazine (4-3-2025)

News from Abroad

TOUGH TIMES
LyondellBasell-Covestro’s PO-SM facility in Netherlands

said to be facing closure

According to Dutch trade unions
FNV and CNV, LyondellBasell’s (LYB)
plastic precursor production plant in
Maasvirat, Port of Rotterdam, Nether-
lands, may face closure. The plant is a
50/50 joint venture between Lyondell-
Basell and Covestro, operated by LYB.
The plant’s production of propylene
oxide (PO) and styrene monomers (SM)
is among the largest in the world.
In response, LYB said that “no clear
decision has been made”. The com-
pany stressed that it is continuously negotiating severance packages and job Company and implementing cost-cut-
evaluating the business situation, asset transition support. ting measures. As part of its global
management strategy and alignment transformation plan, Covestro aims to
with the company’s goals, including Last year, LYB announced a stra- improve operational efficiency, accele-
strengthening core businesses, expand- tegic review of its European assets in rate digitalisation, and expand its in-
ing low-carbon and circular solutions, the fields of olefins, polyolefins, and novation pipeline to respond to chang-
and improving overall performance. chemical intermediates and derivatives. ing market dynamics. The company
In May 2024, CEO Mr. Peter Vanacker stressed the need to streamline produc-
However, Dutch media reported said LYB was considering various tion, administrative functions and other
that LYB is in discussions with trade countermeasures, including asset sales, business areas to remain competitive.
unions to develop a social plan for the plant upgrades, restructuring or clo-
70 employees affected. LYB allegedly sures, to cope with high energy costs The Maasvlakte plant began opera-
notified employees on January 8, 2025 and lack of raw materials in Europe. tions in 2003 and uses LYB’s proprie-
that the Maasvirat plant would be tary PO and SM technology to produce
closed and layoffs were inevitable. The As a co-owner of the Maasvlakte chemicals that are essential components
FNV union reported that employees plant, Covestro is also preparing for for sustainable plastics, clothing, house-
are uncertain about their future and are acquisition by Abu Dhabi National Oil hold products and building materials.
Univar to distribute BASF’s superabsorbent polymers

Univar Solutions, a US-based distri- sives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE), management challenges. The LuquaSorb
butor of speciality ingredients and energy and mining, water treatment, and line’s wide array of applications in-
chemicals, have announced an expanded environmental remediation industries, cludes hydro-swelling capabilities for
distribution partnership with BASF, the company informed. sealing and protection of underground
securing the exclusive right to serve cables, and as an internal curing agent
as a distributor of LuquaSorb-branded LuquaSorb SAPs boast of capacity for concrete in CASE; solidification of
Superabsorbent Polymers (SAPs) in the to absorb and retain up to 500 times drilling fluids and mine tailings remedi-
US and Canada in industrial applications. their weight in liquid. This absorption ation in energy and mining; wastewater
This collaboration expands the availa- power makes them ideal for a multitude sludge stabilisation; groundwater conta-
bility of non-hazardous SAP technology of applications across diverse sectors, minant containment in water treatment;
for a range of industrial applications in offering a practical and environmentally environmental remediation; and many
market segments such as coatings, adhe- conscious solution to various liquid other industrial markets uses.

Chemical Weekly March 4, 2025 163

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