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Oleochemicals
FOCUS needed along with agreement on the definition of 'synthetic biology' and on the boundaries for the safe use of biotechnology. An interesting counterpoint was provided by the later discussion of the use of industrial biotechnology in biosurfactants by Pádraig Naughton of Cefic, a partner in the EU-funded BIOTIC project (http://www. industrialbiotech-europe.eu/). This project, which runs until Sep 2015, aims to provide an industrial biotech (IB) roadmap for Europe. Biosurfactants (which in the context of BIO-TIC excludes surfactants based on biofeedstocks that are produced by chemical processes) are one of five IB product groups considered to have potential for Europe. Demand for biosurfactants in the EU27 reached c €800 M in 2013 and a growth rate of 4.6% per year is predicted until 2020. The project has drawn up lists of barriers to the adoption of IB biosurfactants, together with possible solutions. Alongside investment, feedstock and incentive issues, poor public perception and awareness of IB and bio-based products were noted among the barriers, with education, better communication and clearer definitions among the recommended solutions. While algal oils and other IB products may be the future of nonpetrochemical surfactants, oil palm remains a major component of the current reality. As Danielle Morley of RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) reminded delegates, 70% of all household and personal care (HPC) products contain palm oil or its derivatives. For example, Evonik uses palm (and palm kernel) oil to produce >180 of its personal care ingredients (p 5). Morley provided an update on progress towards making certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) the norm. Supply of CSPO stood at 8.74 M tonnes in 2013, with sales lagging behind at 4.51 M tonnes. The latest figures from RSPO's website put CSPO supply in 2014 at 11.0 M tonnes while sales grew to 5.35 M tonnes. The volume of CSPK supplied in 2014 reached 2.53 M tonnes, up from 2.03 M tonnes the previous year. Some similar themes were addressed by Dr Roland Schroeder of Henkel in his discussion of the sustainability challenges in the laundry and home care value chain. Finally for this section, Elisabetta Merlo of Zschimmer & Schwarz Italiana
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reprised her presentation 'Surfactants and sustainability: how to obtain more with less' from the 4th ICIS World Surfactants Conference [ibid, Mar 2015]. Caroline Edser
RAW MATERIALS Linear alkylbenzene/ alpha-olefins Linear alkylbenzene outlook bullish on tightness Market players noted that, due to a decrease in feedstock availability and lowered supply, spot prices of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) in Asia will remain stable to firm. Import prices were at $1300–1350/tonne cost and freight (CFR) in India, up $10/tonne at the high end. Meanwhile, export prices were at $1265–1300/tonne free on board (FOB) in India, up $20/tonne at the low end. A regional producer in Southeast Asia and some producers in India have their plants operating at a reduced level due to feedstock shortage or technical issues. Meanwhile, a major producer of the feedstock normal-paraffin (NP) in the Middle East has had its facility on planned annual maintenance since Mar 2015 and its second line was to be closed in Apr 2015. Another Middle East producer also closed its facility for one month in Apr 2015 for maintenance. Elsewhere, a producer based in northeast Asia has reduced its production rates as preparation for an upcoming maintenance closure. These maintenance closures will make LAB producers struggle with feedstock supply. For instance, a LAB producer based in northeast Asia may have to close one of its production lines due to feedstock shortage. Due to the expected unavailability of feedstock, a seller based in northeast Asia foresees the price of LAB to reach $1350–1400/tonne CFR SE Asia. Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 20 April–3 May 2015, 287 (15), 23 (Website: http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2015
Ineos and Sasol move on US Gulf plants Early-stage engineering work for Ineos' new linear alpha-olefins (LAO) facility on the US Gulf Coast has been completed. The 350,000 tonnes/y plant is expected to be finished in 3Q 2017. The firm completed a 10% expansion (via debottlenecking) of its LAO plant in Joffre, AB, Canada late in 2014 and is mulling further expansions. Meanwhile, South Africa-based Sasol started the construction of its $8.1 bn complex in Westlake, LA, USA. Slated for launch in 2018, the new complex will feature a 1.5 M tonnes/y ethylene cracker ['Focus on Surfactants', Feb 2015]. Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 6 April 2015, 93 (14), 15 (Website: http://cen.acs.org/index.html) © American Chemical Society 2015
Oleochemicals PHI Group to build oleochemical plant in Malaysia An oleochemical plant is set to be built by energy assets investment company PHI Group and extraction technologies firm Fusion Crest in Johor, Malaysia. Non-edible oils will be processed to produce oleochemicals, which can be used in base fatty acids, base esters, fatty alcohols, detergents, metallic soap and other derivatives. PHI will hold a 70% interest in the plant. The entire investment ($15 M) needed for the project will also be provided by PHI. Fusion Crest will provide its patented processing techniques that can convert non-edible oils or fatty acid distillates into oleochemical products. Equipment will be provided by Swiss firm Sulzer Chemtec. The plant will be able to process 120 tonnes/d of fatty acid distillates. PHI expects to produce around $73 M in revenues and $13 M in profits beginning in the second year of the plant's operations. Original Source: CTBR Clean Technology Business Review, 7 April 2015 (Website: http://www.cleantechnology-business-review. com/) © CTBR 2015
Over-capacity and PKO price volatility in Asian fatty alcohol market There are mixed projections in the Asian fatty alcohol market for 1H 2015, June 2015
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reprised her presentation 'Surfactants and sustainability: how to obtain more with less' from the 4th ICIS World Surfactants Conference [ibid, Mar 2015]. Caroline Edser
RAW MATERIALS Linear alkylbenzene/ alpha-olefins Linear alkylbenzene outlook bullish on tightness Market players noted that, due to a decrease in feedstock availability and lowered supply, spot prices of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) in Asia will remain stable to firm. Import prices were at $1300–1350/tonne cost and freight (CFR) in India, up $10/tonne at the high end. Meanwhile, export prices were at $1265–1300/tonne free on board (FOB) in India, up $20/tonne at the low end. A regional producer in Southeast Asia and some producers in India have their plants operating at a reduced level due to feedstock shortage or technical issues. Meanwhile, a major producer of the feedstock normal-paraffin (NP) in the Middle East has had its facility on planned annual maintenance since Mar 2015 and its second line was to be closed in Apr 2015. Another Middle East producer also closed its facility for one month in Apr 2015 for maintenance. Elsewhere, a producer based in northeast Asia has reduced its production rates as preparation for an upcoming maintenance closure. These maintenance closures will make LAB producers struggle with feedstock supply. For instance, a LAB producer based in northeast Asia may have to close one of its production lines due to feedstock shortage. Due to the expected unavailability of feedstock, a seller based in northeast Asia foresees the price of LAB to reach $1350–1400/tonne CFR SE Asia. Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 20 April–3 May 2015, 287 (15), 23 (Website: http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2015
Ineos and Sasol move on US Gulf plants Early-stage engineering work for Ineos' new linear alpha-olefins (LAO) facility on the US Gulf Coast has been completed. The 350,000 tonnes/y plant is expected to be finished in 3Q 2017. The firm completed a 10% expansion (via debottlenecking) of its LAO plant in Joffre, AB, Canada late in 2014 and is mulling further expansions. Meanwhile, South Africa-based Sasol started the construction of its $8.1 bn complex in Westlake, LA, USA. Slated for launch in 2018, the new complex will feature a 1.5 M tonnes/y ethylene cracker ['Focus on Surfactants', Feb 2015]. Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 6 April 2015, 93 (14), 15 (Website: http://cen.acs.org/index.html) © American Chemical Society 2015
Oleochemicals PHI Group to build oleochemical plant in Malaysia An oleochemical plant is set to be built by energy assets investment company PHI Group and extraction technologies firm Fusion Crest in Johor, Malaysia. Non-edible oils will be processed to produce oleochemicals, which can be used in base fatty acids, base esters, fatty alcohols, detergents, metallic soap and other derivatives. PHI will hold a 70% interest in the plant. The entire investment ($15 M) needed for the project will also be provided by PHI. Fusion Crest will provide its patented processing techniques that can convert non-edible oils or fatty acid distillates into oleochemical products. Equipment will be provided by Swiss firm Sulzer Chemtec. The plant will be able to process 120 tonnes/d of fatty acid distillates. PHI expects to produce around $73 M in revenues and $13 M in profits beginning in the second year of the plant's operations. Original Source: CTBR Clean Technology Business Review, 7 April 2015 (Website: http://www.cleantechnology-business-review. com/) © CTBR 2015
Over-capacity and PKO price volatility in Asian fatty alcohol market There are mixed projections in the Asian fatty alcohol market for 1H 2015, June 2015