Page 172 - CW E-Magazine (19-9-2023)

News from Abroad Special Report

COLLABORATION 11TH INDIA INTERNATIONAL PHOSGENE SAFETY CONFERENCE

Ineos and Sinopec sign second joint venture to Indian phosgene manufacturers review safety

produce ABS in China systems with international experts

On the 30th August, UK’s chemi-
cals major, Ineos and China’s Sinopec hosgene is an important build-
signed a shareholder agreement for ing block for the manufacture of
the formation of a 50:50 joint venture Pseveral commodity, fi ne and spe-
to build a new 300-ktpa ABS plant in ciality chemicals, and India has a size-
Tianjin. The plant, which is currently able phosgene industry that supports the
under construction by Sinopec, will be manufacture of polyurethanes, agro-
based on Ineos’ Terluran ABS techno- chemicals, pharmaceuticals and fi ne
logy and is planned to come on stream chemicals.
in April 2025.
Demand for phosgene is expected
This is the second of three new- to grow at or above overall growth rates
build ABS plants announced by both the 600-ktpa facility in Ningbo, which This announcement marks the con- for the chemical industry here and this
companies last year, each to be man- is planned to come on stream by the end tinued progression of the significant poses challenges stemming primarily
aged as a joint venture between Ineos of this year. The location of the third petrochemical deals announced by the from the fact that phosgene is a highly
Styrolution and Sinopec. The first was ABS plant is yet to be decided. parties in July and December last year. toxic gas that needs to be handled with
exceptional care and diligence at the
ENERGY TRANSITION points of consumption and handling.

JERA Americas, Uniper and ConocoPhillips ink Thankfully, there is considerable
expertise available globally on safety the global giants – BASF, Covestro
low-carbon ammonia supply deal best-practices, and importantly, a will- and Huntstman, which make PU raw
JERA Americas, the Houston-based production and supply of low-carbon Mr. Carsten Poppinga, Chief Commer- ingness to share these learnings. In materials and/or polycarbonate resin.
subsidiary of JERA (or Japan’s Energy fuel to markets in the US, Europe, Japan, cial Officer for Uniper SE said, “Pro- India, the producers and consumers of All of them are based on Gujarat, but
for a New Era) and German energy firm, and greater Asia. The project will also jects like this one are critical to moving phosgene have come together to form that will change soon as the contract
Uniper have announced a non-binding include evaluation and development of responsibly toward greener feedstocks the Indian Phosgene Council (IPC), manufacturing company, Deccan Fine
Heads of Agreement, together with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) while ensuring security of supply for which is mainly focussed on know- Chemicals Ltd., based in Hyderabad,
ConocoPhillips, for ammonia sale to facilities. The proposed ammonia pro- our customers. Developing production ledge dissemination, particular on is building a phosgene plant in Andhra
Uniper. The deal will move their coope- duction facility would produce hydro- capability now to ensure the clean hy- matters related to safety. Pradesh.
ration on development of a low-carbon gen and convert it into clean ammonia drogen and ammonia volumes that will
ammonia production facility along the for transport to markets abroad with a be needed in the future is a key aspect As part of its activities, IPC orga- Emphasis on safe and sustainable
US Gulf Coast to the next phase. target of achieving first commercial to accelerating the energy transition in nised the ‘11th India International Mr. Bavanji Vekariya growth
deliveries by the end of the decade. Europe and globally.” Phosgene Safety Conference’ in Vado- between the manufacturers of phosgene Speaking at the inauguration of the
The announcement builds on dara on August 31, which event saw in India, and the international phosgene event, Mr. Ravi Kapoor, Chairman,
a Memorandum of Understanding Mr. Steven O’Rourke, Chief Exe- Uniper separately has also an- record attendance of about 200. Speak- community, and in the interactions with
(MoU) the parties signed in September cutive Officer of JERA Americas said, nounced it plans for a “Green Wil- ers to the event came from the member nodal agencies,” he observed.
2022 to assess the potential for deve- “We are very pleased to announce this helmshaven” with its combination of companies here as well as international
loping ammonia production facilities contracting progress with Uniper as hydrogen imports and production to experts from global majors (some of The current members of the IPC
in the region. The project would have a core customer for our low carbon create a common European hydrogen whom participated online). are Gujarat Narmada Fertiliser Com-
an initial production capacity of 2-mtpa hydrogen/ammonia project. In close market and has already submitted the pany (GNFC), which is the largest
of low-carbon ammonia with potential collaboration with our development project to the German Federal Ministry According to Mr. Bavanji Vekariya, producer (and consumer) of phosgene,
for expansion in the future. partner ConocoPhillips, this builds on of Economics as an Important Project Chairman, IPC, and Head, Ankleshwar by virtue by being the only producer
the sales MOU we signed last year. We of Common European Interest (IPCEI). Site, Covestro, IPC, which was formed of toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a raw
ConocoPhillips and JERA Americas continue to see strong demand for am- IPCEIs are intended to promote integ- in 2014, is the fi rst council focussing material for polyurethanes (PU); do-
plan to jointly develop the production monia as a hydrogen carrier to a wide rated projects along the entire hydrogen on just one toxic chemical. “The aim mestic fi ne chemical producers – Atul
facility project, which would accelerate variety of users in Europe and Asia.” value chain. is to maintain consistency in practices Ltd., Paushak Ltd., and UPL Ltd.; and Mr. Ravi Kapoor

172 Chemical Weekly September 19, 2023 Chemical Weekly September 19, 2023 173

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