Page 158 - CW E-Magazine (11-3-2025)

News from Abroad News from Abroad

LONG TERM DEAL THERMOPLASTIC FLUOROPOLYMER
QatarEnergy signs helium sales and purchase Arkema moves to expand PVDF capacity at US site

agreement with China’s G-gas French chemicals fi rm, Arkema, has fi cant expansion of local semiconductor

announced plans for a 15% increase capabilities. “We are proud to take this
State-owned QatarEnergy and indus- in the production capacity of poly- step forward hand-in-hand with our
trial gases fi rm, Guangzhou Guang- vinylidene difl uoride (PVDF) at its site customers. It demonstrates our com-
gang Gases & Energy Co. Ltd. (G-gas) in Calvert City, Kentucky, USA. mitment to develop our businesses on a
of China have signed a long-term sales global scale, by investing in each region
and purchase agreement (SPA) for the This expansion represents an in- to support local strategic industries,”
supply of 100 million cubic feet per vestment of around $20-mn and will said Mr. Laurent Tellier, the company’s
annum of helium from Qatar to China. support the increasing demand for Senior Vice-President of Arkema’s High
locally manufactured high-performance Performance Polymers and Fluorogases.
The 20-year agreement marks the resins for lithium-ion batteries as well systems with improved sustainability
fi rst direct, long-term SPA for the sup- as the growing semiconductor and profi les, as well as growth in local manu- Arkema produces PVDF in all three
ply of helium between the two nations. cable markets. facturing by customers in other strate- major regions, with plants in the USA,
The high purity helium supplies will be gic markets,” the company informed. China, and France, and is a global leader
sourced from Qatar’s helium facilities “The capacity expansion will focus in PVDF supply. All three sites have
in Ras Laffan. on innovative PVDF grades designed Startup is planned for mid-2026, in recently seen signifi cant investment
to support the manufacture of elec- line with the ramp-up of production at and capacity increase in line with
The SPA was signed in the presence tric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage North American gigafactories and signi- demand growth.
of Qatar’s energy minister Mr. Saad
Sherida Al-Kaabi, who is also the Presi- HUMAN HEALTH & PET NUTRITION
dent and CEO of QatarEnergy, during Symrise enters into marine ingredients partnership
a special ceremony held at QatarEnergy’s this agreement further expands Qatar- Helium is a critical component in
headquarters in Doha. Energy’s growing list of partnerships a growing number of important fi elds, with Norway’s HBC
and customers around the globe. Our including scientifi c research, medical
Commenting on the occasion, helium capacity will more than double technology, high-tech manufacturing,
Mr. Al-Kaabi said, “Qatar is one of the with our North Field LNG expansion space exploration, and defence indus- German fragrances & flavours ments in clinical studies demonstrate the vast potential that the oceans could
world’s largest helium exporters and projects.” tries. fi rm, Symrise, has signed a partnership proven benefi ts in key categories of offer us,” said Dr. Jean-Yves Parisot,
agreement with HBC (Hofseth BioCare metabolic health, immune health, gut CEO of Symrise.
SUPPLY CHAIN UNCERTAINTIES ASA), a Norwegian manufacturer of health and mobility, setting them apart. HBC has developed a unique pro-
salmon-based ingredients addressing This partnership is well aligned with
Syensqo mulls measures to tackle impacts of likely the human health and pet nutrition our willingness to accelerate in health prietary technology to upcycle fresh
US trade tariffs markets. in the context of our “One Care” jour- salmon offcuts not used in the produc-
ney but also with the recent creation of tion of fi llets into bioactive ingredients
With this partnership, Symrise will the Global Marine Platform to explore with demonstrated health benefi ts.
Belgian chemicals fi rm, Syensqo, offset the increased costs associated complement its current portfolio and
is taking steps to address the potential with the tariffs. “Given ongoing macro- accelerate HBC’s market reach and KBR bags contract for fertiliser
impacts on its global operations and economic and demand uncertainty scale. HBC has plans to refurbish its
supply chains arising out of likely US that has impacted the chemicals indus- Berkak (Norway) facility into a state- project in Angola
imposition of trade tariffs. try over the last several quarters, of-the-art enzymatic hydrolysis plant
the proposed US trade tariff frame- that will triple its current production. American engineering fi rm, KBR, phases. The 2,300-tpd (tonnes per day)
“As a multinational company work creates an additional challenge Symrise and HBC will further explore said it has been awarded a contract ammonia and 4,000-tpd urea facility
with a global footprint, Syensqo is for its broader value chains. Our new product developments and lever- for Project Management Consultancy is set to position Angola as a leading
assessing the potential ramifi cations priority is to ensure the continuity age Symrise’s go-to-market to promote (PMC) services by Amufert to support fertiliser producer in Africa. This
of these tariffs and any reciprocal chains and sourcing strategies,” the of our operations, maintain the high HBC products globally. the development of its fertiliser plant contract is in addition to the technology
actions taken by other countries company informed. Additionally, quality of service our customers in Soyo, Angola. As part of this $2-bn license, proprietary engineering design,
or regions. To ensure operational Syensqo is evaluating shorter-term require and we will take the necessary “This partnership with HBC is testa- project, KBR will provide project equipment and catalyst solution work
continuity, the company is conducting mitigation options, including the intro- actions to achieve this,” said Dr. Ilham ment to their unique footprint and management services overseeing engi- KBR previously announced on the
a comprehensive review of its value duction of a temporary surcharge to Kadri, CEO of Syensqo. differentiated science. Their invest- neering, procurement, and construction same project.

158 Chemical Weekly March 11, 2025 Chemical Weekly March 11, 2025 159

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