Elevance plans second biorefinery

F O C U S based biofuels and focusing more on waste-based biofuels. However, animal fat-based biodiesel is not included in Germany’s green energy target, due to strong lobbying from the oleochemical industry on the use of animal fats for biodiesel. The industry claimed that it would lose market share if it did not get all the animal fats. It also claimed that putting incentives on biofuel would lead to closures of European factories and the transfer of operations to Southeast Asia. However, the opposition coming from oleochemical companies is said to be rooted in price concerns. In 2013, EC regulation No 294/2013 cleared the industry from the legacy of the BSE crisis in 2001 when the EU banned oleochemical companies from using animal by-products considered to be Category 1 as a feedstock. The industry was permitted to use Category 2 but limited to technical applications and only Category 3 was allowed for animal feed, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. At present, the bulk uses of oleochemicals are coatings and resins, detergents, personal care products, rubber, plastics, lubricants, candles and waxes. In 2011, overall European output of rendered animal fats was 2.7 M tonnes. While there are currently no major trading issues, the industry is experiencing difficulty in sourcing palm oil feedstock from Indonesia and Malaysia. Temporarily, Malaysia is taking advantage of its existing generalized system of preferences (GSP) low duty status for exporting to the EU and has imposed duties on exports of oil, to encourage the industry. Meanwhile in the USA, the total use of rendered fats in local biodiesel was around 714,000 tonnes in 2012, about 6% lower year on year, and accounted for around 17% of rendered fats production. From JanApr 2013, the use of animal fats for US biodiesel production was around 158,000 tonnes, up by 12% year-onyear. The US oleochemical industry consumed around 20% of the nation’s rendered fat production in 2012. Overall use of fats in the country increased by around 14% in 2012, totalling 2.7 M tonnes. Palm oil prices are forecast to improve as stocks begin to decrease alongside growth of the feed industry in developing countries, as well as increasing biodiesel and renewable fuel JANUARY 2014

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production in developed countries, which should improve export demand for fats and oils. Original Source: Oils and Fats International, Aug-Sep 2013, 29 (7), 18,20-21 (Website: http://www.oilsandfatsinternational.com) © Quartz Business Media Ltd 2013

Elevance plans second biorefinery After the success of its first biorefinery, Elevance is planning to open a second biorefinery in Natchez, MS, USA in 2016. This will be able to produce 280,000 tonnes/y of Inherent-brand renewable compounds such as esters, biosourced olefins and oleochemical mixes, which have applications in detergents, lubricants, polymers and speciality chemicals. Elevance has already invested $30 M in Natchez and, when this project is finalized, it will be the only speciality chemicals company operating 2 large-scale biorefineries. The group’s first biorefinery in Gresik, Indonesia (operated as a joint venture with Singaporean group Wilmar International) began operating in summer 2013 [Focus on Surfactants, Sep 2013]. Its initial capacity was 180,000 tonnes/y but this may eventually be doubled. Elevance’s president K’Lynne Johnson expects customer demand for Inherent renewable products to exceed Gresik’s capacities. The group is therefore building biorefineries in other geographic regions in order to meet demand. The Natchez biorefinery will use Elevance’s proprietary metathesis technology (already in operation in Gresik). Initially it will use canola or soybean oil feedstock. Elevance currently uses palm oil in Asia. However, the 2 units will be capable of using other renewable oils (such as jatropha- or algae-derived oils) when they reach full commercial capacity. Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 28 Oct 2013, (652), (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie/) (in French) © ETAI Information 2013

SURFACTANTS Evonik commissions new plant in Shanghai Germany’s Evonik Industries has commissioned a plant for organic

speciality surfactants at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP) in China. Capacity is some 80,000 tonnes/y and investment was in the upper double-digit million Euro range. Ground-breaking took place in Mar 2012 [Focus on Surfactants, May 2012]. The facility uses a number of different technologies, enabling Evonik to offer a broad portfolio of locally manufactured products. These include speciality surfactants from renewable resources that are used in personal care and hygiene products, household cleaning agents, and industrial applications. Production will focus on important product groups such as amphoteric surfactants, amidoamines, esters, alkoxylates and quats. Output will serve markets in China and the entire Asian region, according to the company. Some 80 new jobs have been created as a result of the start-up. The company recently expanded a similar plant in Bekasi, Indonesia, mainly serving manufacturers in the personal and household care industries in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand [ibid, Nov 2013]. Manufacturing regionally underlines Evonik’s commitment to provide product solutions tailored to Asian needs. Original Source: Chemie Aktuell, 29 Oct 2013, (Website: http://www.maerkte-weltweit.de) (in German) © MBM Martin Brueckner Medien GmbH 2013. Original Source: Evonik Industries, website: http://corporate.evonik.com/en (29 Oct 2013) © Evonik Industries AG 2013

Croda Home Care launches a new high-performance surfactant NatSurf 265, a new high-performance nonionic alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, has been launched by Croda Europe. The product provides a superior cleaning performance against various types of stubborn soils, especially for cleaning of hard surfaces. Its performance is attributed to the short chain length of the linear fatty alcohol. According to Croda, NatSurf 265 also provides unique formulation benefits making it the ideal replacement for a wide range of nonionic surfactants in both hard surface cleaners and laundry detergents. It dissolves rapidly with no gel phase making it ideal for short, cold wash cycles. It is both acid and alkaline stable. In addition, NatSurf 265 improves fragrance and oil 3