Page 157 - CW E-Magazine (24-10-2023)

News from Abroad

ECO-FRIENDLY BIOMATERIAL

LG Chem and GS Caltex move closer to commercial

production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid

LG Chem has announced that to create economic value by commer-
it will accelerate its bio-based raw cialising high-value-added products,”
materials business with South Korean said GS Caltex’s CEO, Mr. HurSaehong.
oil refiner, GS Caltex. The two Korean
firms signed a Memorandum of Under- 3HPs are environment-friendly
standing (MoU) to work together on materials produced through the micro-
a joint project on the development of bial fermentation process of plant-de-
3-hydroxypropionic acid (3HP), a key rived raw materials. Plastics made
substance for eco-friendly materials, from 3HPs can replace various types
including bio-based plastics. of single-use plastics as they are highly
biodegradable and very flexible. 3HPs
The signing ceremony took place are also appreciated as next-generation
at LG Chem’s Magok R&D Campus, platform chemicals as they are converti-
located in Seoul. ble to bio-acrylic acids and can be applied
to superabsorbent polymers (SAP) for
The MoU follows the joint deve- collaborate in the sector, such as esta- diapers as well as paints, adhesives,
lopment agreement (JDA) established blishing a joint venture for expansion, coatings, carbon fibres and more.
between LG Chem and GS Caltex in in light of the bio-based materials and
2021 to develop 3HP mass-production bioplastics market conditions. The 3HP prototype of LG Chem and
technology. In July last year, upon this GS Caltex is likely expected to be the
agreement, the two companies con- “We will strengthen our partnership first 3HP commercialisation case in the
structed a 3HP demonstration plant at with GS Caltex in the white bio sector world. While there have been several
GS Caltex’s complex in Yeosu, a city for a sustainable future and continue to global attempts to develop 3HP-related
located on the southern coast of South take the lead in green technologies that technologies, none have been commer-
Korea. This recently completed plant is leverage our goal to reach net zero by cialised to date. The partners said the
slated for prototype production in the 2050,” said LG Chem’s CEO, Mr. Shin milestone was achieved by combining
first quarter of 2024. Hak-cheol. LG Chem’s source technology in 3HP
fermentation and GS Caltex’s techno-
Under the MoU, LG Chem and GS “Based on such cooperation in deve- logy in separation and purification,
Caltex will review the 3HP joint busi- loping eco-friendly raw materials, we along with its capability to scale up the
ness model and matters related to the aim to build up our ESG capability – for process across the laboratory, bench-
business. The two companies will also instance, contributing to the circular eco- mark, pilot, demonstration, and com-
talk through comprehensive ways to nomy and achieving carbon reduction – mercialisation phases.

Sinopec subsidiary licenses Lummus’ polypropylene
technology for new plant

Lummus Technology has announced logy for a new 500-ktpa polypropylene technology is highly flexible, robust,
a contract from Sinopec Ningbo Zhenhai plant in Ningbo, China. Lummus’ scope energy efficient and allows production
Refining & Chemical Co. Ltd. (Sinopec includes the technology license, basic of a full grade slate of leading polypro-
NZRCC), a subsidiary of the Sinopec design engineering, training and project pylene products of all product families,
Group and its flagship refining and petro- engineering services. including homopolymers, random
chemical company. Sinopec NZRCC copolymers, terpolymers and impact
will license Lummus’Novolen techno- According to Lummus, the Novolen copolymers.

Chemical Weekly October 24, 2023 157

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