NEWS
CEFIC joins in clean energy request
CEFIC joined other associations representing Europe ’ s clean technology industries and their key material suppliers to send a joint letter to European Commission ( EC ) President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of a European Council summit .
This called for “ urgent and comprehensive action from the EC and Member State governments to maximise the growth potential of the Green Deal and ensure a compelling business case for clean energy supply chains in Europe , from the raw material to the product ”.
Any EU Industrial Deal , the letter added , “ must create a compelling business case for investments and competitiveness across the European clean energy supply chain , including technology producers , materials suppliers , and other critical sectors ”. Five pillars are seen as vital to achieving this : 1 . New , agile and EU-level finance , meaning easier access for companies to existing EU financial tools at first , and new sources of EU-level funding specifically allocated to clean energy supply chains in future 2 . Fast-track permitting for production and deployment , enforced at national level 3 . Competitive energy prices 4 . Level playing field for open strategic autonomy : Europe should design its industry and trade policies strategically to support clean tech manufacturing and supply chain goals . 5 . Appropriate market incentives to develop full domestic supply chains
Dow , Sasol launch eco-surfactants
Dow and Sasol both used this year ’ s SEPAWA Congress in Berlin on 25-27 October to launch surfactants that claim superior ecological profiles . In both cases , the products are based on collaboration with smaller , technology-based partners .
Dow developed EcoSense 2470 Surfactant in partnership with LanzaTech Global , which recovers waste carbon then transforms into ethanol and on to surfactant ingredients . The company said that this is differentiated from other biosurfactants and biobased surfactants in two ways :
• A production method using recycled carbon technology ; and
• Combining water-attracting and water-repelling natures to give it versatile properties suitable for diverse home care applications and unique interfacial characteristics , leading to advantages in cleaning , foam or emulsion stabilisation Meanwhile , Sasol Chemicals has used the sophorolipid technology of UK-based Holiferm with its own chemistry to create two new biosurfactant brands called Carinex SL and Livinex SL for the personal care and home care markets respectively . The two firms have been working together since March 2022 .
Holiferm produces sophorolipids by fermentation from natural palm-free oils and / or sugars . The new grades are said to be fully biodegradable , but welltolerated by aquatic organisms , acting as detergents , dispersants , emulsifiers , foaming agents or wetting agents , and to offer “ mass produced , high performing and more sustainable solutions at competitive prices ”.
Sasol Chemicals has also announced a partnership under which it will evaluate the effectiveness of Solugen ’ s biobased ingredients , blends and derivatives in its household , personal care , and industrial and institutional cleaning surfactant formulations , initially focusing on chelating agents . These are made at Solugen ’ s Bioforge facility in Houston .
12 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981