Page 167 - CW E-Magazine (15-10-2024)

News from Abroad

NETWORKING PLATFORM
GPCA Annual Forum to enable startups to promote

circular economy and climate action ideas

The Gulf Petrochemicals and During the 18th Annual GPCA The top five companies in each of
Chemicals Association (GPCA) has Forum, 10 young and motivated startups the two categories will be shortlisted
announced the launch of a new net- engaged in advancing the circular eco- by an expert panel, comprising seven
working platform – the “GPCA Startup nomy and climate action will showcase industry veterans with significant leader-
Nexus” – which will debut during their technologies in ‘Shark Tank’-style ship experience in research and inno-
the 18th Annual GPCA Forum from presentations and take questions from vation at chemical and petrochemical
December 3-4, 2024 in Oman. the audience. They will also have the firms. GPCA will provide eight more
opportunity to forge new connections startups, which have not been estab-
“GPCA Startup Nexus” will pro- with large established companies and lished yet or whose technology has not
vide startups with a stage to present international investors and promote progressed beyond TRL 4 (technology
their technologies to a broad audience their solutions. The aim is to create readiness level 4), with the opportunity
of investors, experts and decision- a network of mutual exchange that to apply, connect with potential inves-
makers from chemical companies and catalyses collaboration and to stimulate tors and promote their brand through
international players. investments. short “elevator pitch” presentations.
Evonik expanding plasticisers production

Germany’s Evonik Oxeno is signifi- Mr. Frank Beißmann, Managing Director
cantly expanding its production capa- of Evonik Oxeno.
cities for plasticiser products based on the
raw material INA (Isononanol) sold un- The capacity expansions will be
der the brands – Elatur CH (di-isononyl integrated into the existing network of
cyclohexanoate or DINCH) and Elatur C4 plants in Marl (Germany). Like all
DINCD (di-isononyl-1,4-cyclohexan-di- Evonik Oxeno products, Elatur CH and
carboxylate). Elatur DINCD can also be produced and
sification of our plasticiser portfolio. To supplied using mass-balanced methods
“The capacity expansion marks meet the growing demand for these pro- from biobased, biocircular, circular raw
another important milestone in the diver- ducts, we will begin work this year,” said materials, or utilising green energy.

TPC Group raises di-isobutylene capacity

American chemicals firm, TPC Additional improvements in that time
Group, has announced that it has fur- have also expanded the ability to load
ther increased its capacity to produce iso-containers for export.
di-isobutylene (DIB), a primary pro-
duct in the company’s Specialty Pro- DIB is used in a variety of applica-
ducts business unit, to meet growing tions but much of its growth is driven
global demand. by the adoption of low global warming
ture upgrades to increase DIB capa- potential refrigerants, where DIB is a
The company has a history of city at its integrated production facility key component in the lubricants with
finding low-cost solutions to add in Houston (USA). these refrigerants. DIB is also used in
capacity safely and efficiently. In phenolic resins for tyre manufacturing,
2021, the company commissioned a Since then, the team has identi- antioxidants for plastics, and other
cross-functional team to identify effi- fied and implemented improvements high-performance chemicals in personal
ciency improvements and infrastruc- adding another 27% to 2023 capacity. care, lubricant additives, and adhesives.

Chemical Weekly October 15, 2024 167

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