Bio-based – BASF and ABB are spearheading the use of innovative technologies to enhance circularity and sustainability across the energy and chemicals industries 07-09-2024
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Projections for 2025 were also reduced to 0.9%, with growth expected to reach 1.5% only by 2026. This slowdown impacts all of Europe, as Germany’s economic strength plays a crucial role in the region.
After 35 years of economic expansion post-reunification and the euro’s introduction, Germany now faces a “structural crisis,” according to Ifo. Its production chain and infrastructure lag behind, especially compared to Asian markets like China. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine also strains the economy, particularly due to lost energy ties with Russia. Bio-based
Politically, the country is unstable after 16 years of Angela Merkel’s leadership. The current SPD-led government struggles while the far-right AfD gains support, particularly in former East Germany, reflecting deeper socio-economic divides.
Germany’s manufacturing sector is struggling, with high energy costs hitting industries like automotive and mechanical engineering. Volkswagen’s plans to cut costs and possibly close a plant highlight the pressures on businesses. Meanwhile, weak private investments may lead to more closures and offshoring. Bio-based
On the positive side, inflation is projected to drop from 5.9% last year to 2.2% this year. However, the unemployment rate is set to rise to 6% before falling again. Amid uncertainty, Germans are saving more, with the savings rate climbing to 11.3%.
Indorama Ventures achieves International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC+) across key fiber manufacturing sites
Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global sustainable chemical producer, has successfully achieved ISCC+ certification for three of its fiber manufacturing sites. In addition to one already ISCC+ certified fiber plant, this marks a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and circular economy practices. Across its entire business, a total of nine Indorama Ventures sites are now ISCC+ certified, offering a diverse range of sustainable products, including PTA, PET chips, fibers, and fabrics. Bio-based
The newly certified high-performance fiber portfolio will serve customers who require strong, durable technical yarns such as in the Mobility, Tire cords, Airbags, Industrial or Mechanical Rubber Goods sector. The new offerings include:
- Mass balanced (M.B.) polyamides PA6.6 and PA4.6 from the company’s sites in Obernburg (Germany) and Pizzighettone (Italy). Developed in collaboration with key partners, these products match the performance of standard polyamide yarns while reducing GHG emissions by approximately 55% at the polymer level.
- Bio-based high-tenacity PA4.10 (M.B.) yarn made in Obernburg (Germany) for tire and specialties applications. This 100% bio-content polymer, produced from bio-based Sebacic Acid and bio-based Di-Amino Butane (DAB) component via mass balancing, supports significant GHG emissions reduction due to the innovative raw material. Bio-based
- Recycled PET yarns and tire cord fabric from Indorama Ventures’ site in Kaiping (China). These yarns and fabrics made from 100% recycled PET, represent the company’s efforts to drive the evolution towards circular practices and lower carbon products.
Netherlands’ Recycled Content Targets ‘Unachievable’ Without Change
A recent report has highlighted significant challenges facing the Netherlands in its ambitious goal to produce all plastic packaging from recycled or renewable materials by 2050. The study reveals that, despite ongoing efforts, the country is far from meeting its targets, calling for urgent changes in policy and practice. Bio-based
The report underscores that current recycling infrastructure and technologies are insufficient to handle the volume and complexity of plastic waste. It points out that only a small fraction of plastic packaging is currently being recycled, with the majority still ending up in landfills or incineration plants. This not only hampers the recycling rates but also contributes to environmental pollution.
Moreover, the report identifies a lack of incentives for businesses to adopt recycled materials. High costs and limited availability of quality recycled plastics deter companies from making the switch. Bio-based
The study suggests that without substantial financial and regulatory support, the transition to a circular economy will remain a distant goal.
To bridge this gap, the report recommends several measures. These include investing in advanced recycling technologies, enhancing collection and sorting systems, and implementing stricter regulations on plastic production and disposal. Additionally, it calls for increased collaboration between government, industry, and consumers to foster a culture of recycling and sustainability.
In conclusion, while the Netherlands has set a commendable target for 2050, achieving it will require a concerted effort and significant changes across the board. Without these, the goal of producing all plastic packaging from recycled or renewable materials will remain unachievable. Bio-based
BASF and ABB are spearheading the use of innovative technologies to enhance circularity and sustainability across the energy and chemicals industries
Sustainability can be fraught with contradiction – on the micro and macro level.
For example: a consumer buying vegan leather, made of plastic, to reduce their environmental impact. Or a manufacturer investing in AI, which uses up to 9 litres of water per kWh of energy, to enhance their energy efficiency.
This contradiction is everywhere. We all participate in and benefit from systems integral to modern life that negatively impact the planet. With the destructive impact of climate change there is an urgent need to reform these systems. But what is the solution when every solution still makes you complicit? Bio-based
Successful businesses acknowledge the contradiction and are still working to make progress and create positive value. No manufacturer quite embraces this mindset like the global chemicals manufacturer BASF.
Bringing sustainability & chemical manufacturing together
Sustainability has been a concern in the chemicals industry for a long time. Back in 1985 the Responsible Care® initiative was founded – a global, voluntary initiative for the industry to address its environmental and health impacts and responsibilities surrounding risk management and safety. Bio-based
Today, as public awareness of sustainability and regulations has increased, the initiative runs in 67 countries whose combined chemical industries account for nearly 90% of global chemical production. Chemical manufacturing is inseparable from modern life, critical to the products, places and infrastructure we rely on every single day.
Australian researchers plan new generation of biodegradable plastic
SYGlobal concerns over plastic pollution and cuts to fossil fuel use are behind a new Australian-led initiative to develop a new generation of 100 percent compostable plastic. Experts estimate that more than 170 trillion pieces of plastic are floating in the world’s oceans. There are growing concerns about the impact of micro-plastics on health and the environment. Bio-based
The Bioplastics Innovation Hub aims to “revolutionize” plastic packaging by making biologically-made plastic that can break down in compost, land or water.
The aim is to produce water bottles, for example, using bioplastics derived from waste products from the food industry.
The green plastic scheme brings together the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, the CSIRO – Australia’s national science agency – and Murdoch University in Perth in a multi-million dollar collaboration with industry partners.
Andrew Whiteley, a CSIRO research program director, told VOA the technology could be ground-breaking. Bio-based
“What we are really essentially doing is trying to phase out those fossil fuel plastics and bring in this new generation of bioplastics, which take over the roles of the plastics that we have already been using. So it is, really, just that switch over and going forward in a more sustainable way using these bioplastics.”
Australian states and territories have been phasing out various plastics for several years. At the start of September 2024, more items have been banned in South Australia and Western Australia, including polystyrene containers and cups, plastic confetti, and plastic coffee cups and lids. Bio-based
Green Fuel from Sunlight: Down, the New Plant in Germany
The Down plant, built by Synhelion in Germany, produces green fuel using sunlight, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions. Supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate, this project is a spin-off from Zurich Polytechnic. Bio-based
How the Down Plant Works
The plant includes a heliostat field, reactor, receiver, and energy accumulator. Co-founder and CEO Philipp Furler explains: Ultra-thin mirrors (heliostats) covering 1,500 square meters track the sun, reflecting and concentrating its rays with 600 kWh power onto a receiver atop a 20-meter tower. This receiver supplies heat above 1,500°C to a thermochemical reactor, producing syngas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen), a precursor to synthetic fuels. Thermal energy is stored in the tower, enabling continuous production even at night or on cloudy days.
This process reduces CO2 emissions by 85-90%. Additionally, a Fischer-Tropsch unit converts syngas into synthetic crude oil, processed in a traditional refinery to produce certified fuel. Bio-based
A Solution for Transport
Synhelion targets high-energy sectors like aviation, producing solar kerosene for planes, diesel for ships and trucks, and gasoline for cars. Furler notes the innovative process took decades to develop. Since 2014, the team has generated eco-friendly fuel on a small scale and is now ready to expand after publishing their study in Nature.
Future Prospects
Synhelion plans to build a commercial plant in Spain to produce 1,000 tons of solar fuel annually, aiming for 100,000 tons by 2030 and 1 million tons by 2034. They also aim to decarbonize industrial processes like cement production, which contributes 8% of global CO2 emissions. Bio-based
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