The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed two large petrochemical projects planned for the US. Daelim Chemical has pulled out of an ethylene cracker project in Ohio that it had been developing with the Thai firm PTT Global Chemical.
PTT says the project continues to be a top priority and that it will seek a new partner while working toward a final investment decision late this year or early next year. PTT acknowledges that the combination of the pandemic and oil price volatility have delayed the timeline for developing the plant by 6–9 months. PTT has been pursuing the project since at least 2015, when its partner was the Japanese trading firm Marubeni.
Meanwhile, Chevron Phillips Chemical cites the pandemic for delaying a final investment decision on an $8 billion petrochemical facility it is considering building on the US Gulf Coast with Qatar Petroleum. The firms had intended to make the call on the plant next year. Chevron Phillips says it continues front-end engineering design.
By: Michael McCoy
Source: C&EN
BASF will build a commercial scale battery recycling black mass plant in Schwarzheide, Germany. This investment strengthens BASF’s cathode active materials (CAM) production and recycling hub in Schwarzheide. The site is an ideal location for the build-up of battery recycling activities given the presence of many EV car manufacturers and cell producers in Central Europe.
Clariant says it is reducing its number of businesses from five to three, by merging units, under a reorganization that is in line with the company’s purpose-led strategy and cultural transformation. The moves will position Clariant for long-term sustainable growth, the company says.
Chemicals & plastics industry has the most diversified end-use market across all manufacturing industries. The industry returned to growth in 2021 but a supply chain crunch prevented it from becoming stronger. The market is likely to stabilize in the second half of 2022 with a supply-demand balance.
