Page 169 - CW E-Magazine (10-10-2023)

News from Abroad

ADVANCED MATERIALS

Pilot plant for converting methane gas to carbon

nanotubes being set up by Huntsman

Huntsman Corporation has begun adhesives, specialised concrete, and
construction on a 30-ton Miralon bran- longer-wear tyres,” the company in-
ded carbon nanotube materials plant. formed. The manufacturing process
The new plant, originally announced at produces clean hydrogen as a by-pro-
Huntsman’s 2021 Investor Day event, duct, with little to no CO emissions.
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converts methane gas to carbon nano- “This can play an exciting role in energy
tubes and clean-burning hydrogen, and transition by minimising the carbon
is said to be one of the largest of its kind footprint of many industries,” said
in the Americas. “development of a new class of sustain- Mr. John Fraser, Commercial Director
able material”. for Miralon technology and materials.
Huntsman said the plant represents
a major step forward in the commer- Miralon structural carbon products “The carbon footprint related to
cialisation of the Miralon technology are carbon nanotube-based advanced our manufacturing process can be up
and another step closer to an industrial- materials, which can be produced as to 95% less, when compared to the
scale production facility. The new sheets, tape, yarn, or additives and dis- traditional process of steam methane
plant is expected to be completed by persions. “Thinner than a human hair reforming (SMR), avoiding the majo-
year-end 2023. and up to 25 times stronger than steel, rity CO emissions normally associated
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Miralon carbon nanotube materials are with hydrogen production. Co-locating
“Our business prides itself on bring- lightweight and electrically and ther- a small Miralon manufacturing unit on
ing advanced materials to market to mally conductive – attributes that can a customer’s site, creates the opportu-
help our customers solve difficult engi- benefit a wide variety of applications nity to produce hydrogen right where
neering challenges through innova- in aerospace, automotive, construction our customers need it. This will allow
tion,” said Mr. Scott Wright, President and other industries. These materials companies to reduce their carbon foot-
of Huntsman’s Advanced Materials can be used in electric vehicle batte- print and benefit from the potential of
division, adding that the new facility ries, high-performance composites, CO sequestration/capture credits,” he
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marks a significant step forward in the engineered thermoplastics, conductive added.

Aramco ventures into global LNG business with

stake in MidOcean Energy

Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s integrated Aramco’s first international invest-
energy and chemicals company, has ment in LNG.
agreed to acquire a minority stake in
MidOcean Energy for $500-mn. Mid- The agreement builds on the
Ocean Energy is a liquefied natural gas relationship between Aramco and EIG,
(LNG) company formed and managed which was part of a consortium that
by EIG, a leading institutional investor acquired a 49% stake in Aramco Oil
in the global energy and infrastructure Pipelines Company, a subsidiary of
sectors. Aramco, in 2021.

MidOcean Energy is currently in Aramco also has the option to in-
the process of acquiring interests in crease its shareholding and associated
four Australian LNG projects, with a global LNG business. The partner- rights in MidOcean Energy in the
growth strategy to create a diversified ship with MidOcean Energy marks future.

Chemical Weekly October 10, 2023 169

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