The Catalyst Review April 2024 - 3

Commercial News
INEOS Completes Acquisition of
TotalEnergies' Lavera Petrochemical
Assets in Southern France
INEOS has completed the acquisition of TotalEnergies' 50%
share of Naphtachimie, Appryl, Gexaro and 3TC. These
businesses have been joint ventures between the two
companies. A number of other infrastructure assets have
also been acquired including part of TotalEnergies' ethylene
pipeline network in France. INEOS will now fully integrate the
Naphthachimie, Gexaro and Appryl petrochemical businesses,
assets and infrastructure into INEOS Olefins & Polymers South
at Lavera in Southern France. Gexaro, located on the Lavera
refinery site, will continue to be operated by Petroineos. Source:
Hydrocarbon Processing, 4/1/2024.
Shell and Verdagy to Collaborate on
Renewable H2
Projects
Shell has provided technical endorsement of Verdagy's
eDynamic electrolyzers. This major step qualifies Verdagy as a
supplier in its upcoming green H2
the Shell team to successfully complete a rigorous " HAZOP "
(safety) review along with a detailed Design and Technology
Development Review of Verdagy's electrolyzers, as necessary
and important steps to commercial adoption within Shell.
Source: Hydrogen Central, 4/1/2024.
projects. Verdagy worked with
Sasol and Topsoe Launch Zaffra: A New
Venture to Help Decarbonise Aviation
Sasol and Topsoe announced the successful launch of their joint
venture, Zaffra. With its headquarters based in Amsterdam,
The Netherlands, Zaffra is set to become a key player in the
aviation industry, focusing on the development and delivery of
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Source: Sasol, 3/14/2024.
KBR Awarded Project Management Contract
for Sonangol's New Lobito Refinery Project
KBR has been awarded a project management contract by
Japan's Idemitsu, Mitsui Chemicals May
Consolidate Ethylene Plants in Chiba
Japanese oil refiner Idemitsu Kosan and Mitsui Chemicals plan
to consolidate their ethylene complexes in Chiba near Tokyo
(Japan) as the industry is under pressure from competition with
China. The companies would consider closing Idemitsu's Chiba
ethylene facility to consolidate production at Mitsui Chemical's
site in the 2027 fiscal year. The new business would be operated
by a limited liability partnership or a joint venture. The final
decision on the proposed consolidation is yet to be made, the
companies said. Source: Reuters, 3/27/2024.
Sonangol for the design and construction of a new 200,000bpd
refinery in Lobito, Angola. Upon completing the Lobito Refinery
Project, Angola is expected to have a 200% increase in the
capacity to produce fuel products within the country. Source:
KBR, 3/14/2024.
Evonik Expands Sustainable Catalyst
Offerings with New Product Octamax™
Evonik has launched a highly sustainable new catalyst product,
Octamax™, that improves sulfur removal performance for
refinery fuel. The technology consists of uniquely selected NiMo
and CoMo catalysts regenerated and enhanced at optimal
conditions for use in cracked gasoline hydrodesulfurization (HDS)
units. Source: Evonik, 3/13/2024.
Shrinking Global Palm Oil Supplies, Strong
Biodiesel Demand to Boost Prices
Stagnating global palm oil production and higher biodiesel
mandates are likely to curb supplies of the world's most used
vegetable oil, setting the stage for further gains in prices,
which are trading at their highest in seven months. Palm oil
output in Indonesia and Malaysia, which account for a bulk of
global production, is likely to either rise marginally in 2024 or
decline from last year's level, as ageing plantations and a lack of
expansion caps output. Source: Biofuels Central, 3/19/2024.
The Catalyst Review
April 2024
3
The Catalyst Review April 2024

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