The Catalyst Review January 2025 - 11

COMMERCIAL NEWS
Act in 2022. The rules offer up to $3 per
kilogram for clean hydrogen, based on
lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. Key
changes include exceptions for nuclear
power and adjustments to emissions
calculations. While these updates
help, clean hydrogen's future remains
uncertain, as projects must still meet
strict criteria. The 45V tax credit is vital
for hydrogen hubs, but potential political
shifts could threaten these initiatives.
Source: RBN Energy, 1/09/2025
INEOS closes last remaining
synthetic ethanol plant in the UK
INEOS has closed its last remaining
synthetic ethanol plant in the UK,
resulting in several hundred job losses.
This marks a further decline in the UK's
chemical industry, which has seen ten
large chemical complexes close in the
past five years, with no new plants built in
decades. High energy costs-five times
higher than in the US-and carbon taxes
have made the UK uncompetitive. The
plant, which produced essential synthetic
alcohol for pharmaceuticals, will now
rely on imports. INEOS chairman Sir Jim
Ratcliffe criticized the de-industrialization
of Britain, arguing it merely shifts
emissions abroad and undermines
jobs in the North. Source: Hydrocarbon
Processing, 1/13/2025
Howard Energy Partners acquires
ethylene pipeline from EPIC
Midstream Holdings
Howard Energy Partners (HEP) has
acquired EPIC Midstream Holdings'
120-mile ethylene pipeline, connecting
the Gulf Coast Growth Venture's
petrochemical complex in Corpus
Christi to storage facilities in Markham,
Texas. The acquisition strengthens
HEP's presence in the Gulf Coast and
creates synergies with its existing
Javelina Plant, which processes olefins,
hydrogen, and NGLs. This move aligns
with HEP's strategy of growth through
The Catalyst Review
organic expansion and acquisitions, backed by
long-term contracts. In 2025, HEP looks forward to
further growth, building on a record M&A year with
over $1.1B in transactions. Source: Hydrocarbon
Processing, 1/10/2025
Montana Renewables advances SAF
expansion at Great Falls biorefinery
Montana Renewables, a Calumet subsidiary, has
secured a $1.44B conditional loan guarantee
from the US Department of Energy to fund the
MaxSAF expansion at its Great Falls biorefinery. The
project will increase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
production by 700% to 300M gallons per year by
2028, alongside boosting renewable diesel output.
Key developments include adding a second reactor,
expanding hydrogen production, and improving
infrastructure. The expansion aims to enhance local
agricultural sourcing and drive regional growth in
renewable energy and feedstocks. Source: Oil & Gas
Journal, 1/13/2025
INNOVATION
CORNER
Commercial bio-propylene via Gevo's ETO process
and LG Chem's assets
Beyond any initial invention, further innovation is required
to insure progress towards commercialization. Technology
developed by Gevo has taken such a step, in this case
towards bio-based olefins, and in particular C3 and C4 olefins
(beyond C2), based on extending its joint development
agreement (JDA) with LG Chem. The emphasis will be on
bio-propylene and includes the evaluation of assets for
deploying Gevo's ethanol-to-olefins (ETO) technology.
Gevo's patented ETO process converts ethanol into carbonneutral
or carbon-negative olefins, including bio-propylene,
which can replace petroleum-based materials in renewable
fuels, intermediates and plastics. The company's US patent
(awarded in September; US 12,043,587 B2), describes
the use of proprietary catalysts to achieve cost-effective
and energy-efficient production of larger olefins, such as
propylene and butenes, crucial for sustainable fuels and
chemicals. The patent protects Gevo's ETO process, which
makes three and/or four carbon olefins in addition to
ethylene from ethanol in a single step with a high degree of
selectivity and control, which is critical for success. Working
with LG Chem, with a focus on chemical intermediates (vs.
fuels), the innovative process is expected to reduce energy
and capital cost because of the fewer unit operations
involved; and reduce complexity of the process design. It
is clear that this is practical, real-world progress based on
sound fundamental catalyst/process science - innovation,
indeed!
Ref: Green Car Congress, 12/16/2024
January 2025
11

https://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2025/01/howard-energy-partners-acquires-ethylene-pipeline-from-epic-midstream-holdings/?oly_enc_id=3914C7547589C2W https://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2025/01/howard-energy-partners-acquires-ethylene-pipeline-from-epic-midstream-holdings/?oly_enc_id=3914C7547589C2W https://rbnenergy.com/rules-of-the-road-final-rules-for-45v-tax-credit-could-help-clear-a-path-for-clean-hydrogen https://www.ogj.com/energy-transition/article/55260583/montana-renewables-advances-saf-expansion-at-great-falls-biorefinery https://www.ogj.com/energy-transition/article/55260583/montana-renewables-advances-saf-expansion-at-great-falls-biorefinery https://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2025/01/ineos-closes-last-remaining-synthetic-ethanol-plant-in-the-uk/?oly_enc_id=3914C7547589C2W https://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2025/01/ineos-closes-last-remaining-synthetic-ethanol-plant-in-the-uk/?oly_enc_id=3914C7547589C2W https://www.greencarcongress.com/2024/12/20241216-gevo.html

The Catalyst Review January 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Catalyst Review January 2025