Communicator

The description of the Cosmo Chiba refinery has been updated.

#cosmo #chiba  #japan  #refinery 

CCR, Hydrocracker and Coker with their technologies and capacities have been added as far as identified.


#coker  #delayedcoking  #ccr  #platformer  #uop  #honeywell  #tuscaloosa  #refinery  #hunt  #hydrocracker  
 

Europe is facing a deepening energy crunch as domestic natural gas production plunges to its lowest level since 2021, even as demand surges to multi-year highs. According to the latest Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) report, European gas output dropped 8% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, reaching just 47.7 billion cubic meters (bcm)-a stark reversal after a brief rebound in 2023 and 2024. The decline accelerated in March, with production falling 4% compared to the same month last year, marking the fifth consecutive month of shrinking output.

Figure 1 - YTD Europe’s gas production. GECF Monthly Gas Market Report – May 2025. Source: GECF Secretariat based on data from Refinitiv, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate and JODI Gas


Norway, which supplies about two-thirds of Europe’s gas, led the downturn. Its production fell 7% to 31.5 bcm, reflecting both natural field depletion and a lack of new investments. The UK’s output also shrank by 5% to 8.3 bcm, largely due to extended maintenance at the Bacton Gas Terminal. The Netherlands, once a cornerstone of Europe’s gas supply, saw a dramatic 25% collapse to just 2.4 bcm, a consequence of depleted reserves and government-mandated shutdowns of key fields such as Groningen. Across the continent, new exploration and investment in upstream gas projects remain at a standstill, further constraining supply.

Figure 2 - Left - Europe's monthly gas production / Right - Y-o-y variation in Europe's gas production by country. GECF Monthly Gas Market Report – May 2025. Source: GECF Secretariat based on data from LSEG, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate and JODI Gas. Note: EU countries include Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland and Romania.


While production falters, European gas consumption is moving sharply in the opposite direction. Demand surged 9% year-on-year in the first quarter, reaching 134.8 bcm, and totaled 160.6 bcm from January to April-up 6% from the previous year. March alone saw a 5.2% jump in EU gas demand, extending a seven-month streak of rising consumption. This demand spike is driven by colder weather, a rebound in industrial activity, and-critically-a sharp drop in electricity generation from renewables. As wind and solar output faltered, gas-fired power plants were forced to ramp up, especially to stabilize grids during periods of volatility.

Figure 3 - EU-16 incl UK: NatGas Consumption for Power Generation in bcm per month; Burggraben analysis; Commodity Essentials; Bloomberg.


The situation has been further complicated by the unprecedented blackout that struck Spain and Portugal in late April. The sudden loss of 15 gigawatts-around 60% of Spain’s power-within seconds exposed the vulnerabilities of a grid increasingly reliant on intermittent renewables and cross-border flows. During the restoration, Spanish grid operator Red Eléctrica prioritized dispatchable sources, notably nuclear and combined-cycle gas plants, to quickly bring the system back online. Compounding this, Spain’s reliance on imported gas has grown: LNG imports from the United States surged to 35% of Spain’s total this year, up from 20% last year.

Europe’s gas market is now under mounting pressure. With domestic production in freefall, the continent is turning increasingly to imports. The International Energy Agency forecasts a 25% surge in European LNG imports this year, as lower piped gas flows and robust demand force buyers to seek supplies on the global market. This scramble for LNG is driving up prices and intensifying competition with Asia, where demand is now falling in the face of higher costs and Europe’s willingness to pay a premium.

Figure 4 - EU quarterly imports by source. Last updated: 11/04/2025. Source: Bruegel based on ENTSOG, GIE and Bloomberg


At the same time, gas storage levels across the EU remain a concern, with inventories at 43.67% of capacity as of mid-May-significantly lower than the seasonal averages and well below last year’s levels at this time. The situation varies by country: Germany’s storage is at 36.45%, Italy at 52.78%, France at 50.78%, the Netherlands at just 29.67%, Austria at 50.20%, and Spain leading with 72.29%. This depletion reflects the impact of a colder winter and increased withdrawals to offset reduced imports, particularly following the halt of Russian gas transit through Ukraine at the start of 2025. While Norway remains the EU’s largest supplier, Russian gas flows have edged higher again, even as ongoing political uncertainty clouds the outlook for future deliveries.

Figure 5 - GIE's Aggregate Gas Storage Inventory


The combination of falling domestic output, rising demand, and tight global markets is pushing European gas prices higher. Industrial users now face costs up to five times those in the United States, threatening competitiveness and raising fears of renewed energy-driven inflation. Without urgent investment in new production, infrastructure, and flexible backup generation, Europe’s energy security risks further erosion-especially as climate volatility and grid instability become more frequent.

Figure 6 - Dutch TTF Gas Jun '25 (TGM25) in euros per megawatt-hour (€ / MWh). Source: Barchart


The Spanish blackout stands as a warning: in a system where renewables dominate but dispatchable capacity is neglected, the margin for error is razor-thin. As Europe scrambles to keep the lights on and factories running, the continent’s self-inflicted gas crunch is fast becoming a test of both energy policy and political resolve.

#naturalgas  #powerplant  #combinedcycle  #gasplant  #nuclearenergy  #npp  #dispatchableenergy  #solarenergy  #windenergy  #blackout  #gasprices  #lng

PLA Synthetic Pathways

By Portfolio Planning PLUS, May 6, 2025

The global market for biodegradable bioplastics—particularly polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)—is at a crossroads following the high-profile Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of Danimer Scientific, one of the sector’s most visible pioneers. Danimer, headquartered in Bainbridge, Georgia, sought court protection on March 18, 2025, after months of financial distress, underutilized plants, and delayed customer commitments, casting a shadow over the fast-growing but still volatile biopolymer industry

Danimer’s collapse underscores the challenges facing the sector, even as the global market for biopolymers continues to expand. The company’s flagship PHA product, Nodax®, and its PLA-based resins were once hailed as game-changers for sustainable packaging, food service items, and consumer disposables. However, despite strong regulatory and consumer tailwinds, Danimer struggled to translate innovation into profitability. The firm’s revenues fell sharply in 2024, with major customers such as Starbucks scaling back orders, and its manufacturing facilities operating at only 15% of capacity.

A liquidity crisis, mounting debt, and the withdrawal of a key strategic investor ultimately forced Danimer into bankruptcy, where it now seeks to sell its assets and technology portfolio through a court-supervised process.

Danimer’s bankruptcy highlights the persistent hurdles for biopolymer makers: high production costs, slow adoption by large brands, and the capital intensity of scaling up manufacturing. While PLA enjoys relatively mature supply chains and broad applications, PHA’s market is still fragmented, with no dominant player and ongoing competition from established chemical giants and emerging startups alike. The sector’s growth is also tempered by infrastructure gaps for composting and recycling, as well as the need for further cost reductions to compete with conventional plastics.

Industry analysts say Danimer’s asset sale could trigger consolidation in the biopolymer sector, with larger chemical companies or international players potentially acquiring its technology and facilities. As the dust settles, Danimer’s journey serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the promise of biopolymers. The sector’s next chapter will likely be shaped by those able to pair technological innovation with commercial scale and financial discipline.

#biopolymer  #recycling  #composting  #biodegradability  #pla  #pha  #polylacticacid  #polyhydroxyalkanoate  #danimer 

Ethylene Production Optimization in the Chiba Area scheduled for completion in fiscal year 2026.

April 1, 2025

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. and Maruzen Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd.) have announced a significant change to their ethylene production operations in the Chiba area. Maruzen Petrochemical will shut down its own ethylene production facilities by fiscal 2026, and all ethylene production will be consolidated at Keiyo Ethylene Co., Ltd. Keiyo Ethylene is a joint venture between Maruzen Petrochemical, which holds a 55% ownership stake, and Sumitomo Chemical, which holds 45%. The shareholding ratio will remain the same after the consolidation.

This move comes in response to several challenges facing the industry, including a global oversupply of ethylene due to new, large-scale plants in China, as well as declining domestic demand for ethylene in Japan. Both companies recognize the need to improve operating rates, lower costs, and reduce CO₂ emissions to remain competitive.

By consolidating production at Keiyo Ethylene, which is Japan’s most advanced and largest ethylene facility, Sumitomo Chemical and Maruzen Petrochemical aim to increase the operating rate and competitiveness of the Chiba petrochemical complex. The consolidation is also expected to lower fixed costs and advance green transformation initiatives, supporting the companies’ efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions.

The Maruzen Chiba Plant, operated by Maruzen Petrochemical since April 1969, currently has a capacity of 525,000 tons per year (or 480,000 tons during repair years). Keiyo Ethylene, which began operations in December 1994, has a capacity of 768,000 tons per year (or 690,000 tons during repair years). The optimization and consolidation of ethylene production are targeted for completion by fiscal year 2026.

Overall, this consolidation is designed to ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the Chiba petrochemical complex by focusing production at the most efficient site and supporting environmental goals.


#sumitomo  #maruzen  #chemicals  #ethylene  #chiba  #japan  #consolidation  #keiyo  #cracker  #steamcracker  #ethyleneplant  #plantclosure 

Japan Polyethylene Corporation  and its four polymer manufacturing locations have been created.

Polymerization technologies and plant capacities need to be added.


#japan  #polyethylene  #corporation  #mitsubishi  #chemicals 

Japan Polypropylene Corporation  and its three polymer manufacturing locations have been created.

Polymerization technologies and plant capacities need to be added.


#japan  #polypropylene  #corporation  #mitsubishi  #chemicals 

Fuyou Technology, from top left to bottom right: a corner of the factory, office building, satellite view, 170 kta coal tar full fraction hydrogenation unit, 500 kta coal tar full fraction hydrogenation unit, 80 kta light hydrocarbon fraction separation unit.

Fuyou Technology has developed combined coal-based process technologies such as coal pyrolysis, hydrogenation of medium and low temperature coal tar full fractions to produce more intermediate distillate oil, efficient impurity removal and aromatics saturation of naphtha to produce cycloalkane chemicals. The company is the leading producer of methylcyclohexane, light white oil, transformer oil and aerospace special oils obtained from medium and low temperature coal tar.

Low-grade coal, which accounts for about 55% of the total coal resources in Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, has low carbon content and calorific value, and relatively high tar yield and hydrogen and oxygen content. The characteristics of the feedstock is conducive to efficient transformation and utilization through medium and low temperature pyrolysis.

Fuyou Technology's pyrolysis process product is separated into three substances: gas (coal gas), liquid (coal tar), and solid (semi-coke), and further converted to obtain clean fuels such as oil, gas, and electricity, as well as high value-added chemical products. The company has built and put into use China's first 170,000 tons/year medium and low temperature coal tar full-fraction hydrogenation high-yield intermediate distillate oil industrial demonstration unit and a 500,000 tons/year coal tar full-fraction hydrogenation production cycloalkane oil unit, promoting the high-end transformation of coal tar and realizing the transformation of coal from a single fuel to diversified products.

The naphtha separation unit now produces 80,000 tpy naphtha, which is converted mainly into cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, and dimethylcyclohexane. Fuyou Technology is the largest methylcyclohexane producer in China, with an annual output of 30,000 tonnes, accounting for 85% of the market share. The company has also laid out industrial chain extension projects to produce high value-added products such as ethylcyclohexane.

Li Zhuoran, 10 Oct 2024, Focus on the high-quality development of Shaanxi's energy and chemical industry, West China Network.

#coal  #coalgasification  #coaltar  #cycloalcane  #naphtha  #distillate  #pyrolysis  #fuyou  #fuyoutechnology  #shaanxi  #yulin  #china

The description of sour water has been updated.

#sourwater  #contaminatedwater 

Natural Water typically used for cooling purposes in manufacturing activities has been added.

#coolingwater  #seawater  #riverwater 

A generic process combustion heater is provided to capture full burning operations in the energy center of a facility when details about fuel burning operations are not available or when the combustion heater technology has not been yet added. 


#combustionheater  #processheater  #fuelcombustion  #heatgeneration 

Técnicas Reunidas / March 10, 2025 -- In a significant step toward Europe's energy transition goals, Técnicas Reunidas and Siemens Energy have been selected to carry out the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for the La Robla Green project, set to become one of Europe's largest renewable methanol production facilities. The ambitious initiative is located in La Robla, a municipality in the province of León, Spain.

The project is spearheaded by Spanish company Reolum, which specializes in innovative energy transition solutions. The planned facility will produce 140,000 tons per year of green methanol (e-methanol) by combining renewable hydrogen with biogenic carbon captured from a biomass cogeneration plant. This approach ensures a sustainable production process with significantly reduced carbon emissions compared to conventional methanol production methods.

Green methanol is gaining prominence as a key alternative fuel for decarbonizing sectors with traditionally high emissions, such as maritime transport and aviation. It can be used directly as fuel or serve as feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), providing a crucial pathway toward achieving Europe's climate neutrality targets.

The La Robla Green project brings together the expertise of several global leaders in decarbonization technologies. Siemens Energy will lead the development of the renewable hydrogen unit, while Técnicas Reunidas will oversee biogenic carbon capture and e-methanol production units. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will provide advanced CO₂ capture technology, and Johnson Matthey will supply its proprietary eMERALD™ technology, enabling direct hydrogenation of captured CO₂ into methanol.

This collaborative effort aligns with Técnicas Reunidas' broader decarbonization strategy known as TRACK, aimed at accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. The project recently received substantial financial backing from the Spanish government: €180 million from NextGenerationEU funds allocated by the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. This funding supports Spain's H2 Valles Program initiative to establish major renewable hydrogen clusters across various regions including Aragon, Andalusia, Castile and León, Catalonia, and Galicia.

With this investment and collaboration among industry leaders, La Robla Green positions itself as a landmark project in Europe's renewable energy landscape. It is expected to significantly contribute to regional economic growth while advancing Spain's leadership in green technologies and sustainable fuels.

#greenhydrogen  #emethanol  #sustainablefuels  #sustainableaviationfuel  #saf  #carboncapture  #co2capture  #sustainability 

LA ROBLA GREEN project site that will include a carbon-negative green biomass energy generation plant and an e-methanol plant produced by combining CO₂ extracted from the Roblum biomass power plant with green hydrogen.


#spain  #larobla  #reolum  #greenhydrogen  #emethanol  #biomassenergy  #co2extraction  #sustainability 

REOLUM has been added.

#renewableenergy #emethanol  #greenhydrogen  #co2capture  #electricalcogeneration  #biomass 

Description of the DICP Methanol-to-Olefins Technology (DMTO) has been completed.

#syn  #sinopec  #dicp  #dmto  #methanolstoolefins  #china  #dalian  #lepc  #synenergy  #coaltoolefins 

The MTO process description has been added.


#mto  #methanoltoolefins  #coalgasification  #syngas #dmto  #syndmto  #dicp  #uop  #hydromto  #sinopec  #smto 

Zhang Tong in Beijing
Published: 4:00pm, 30 Dec, 2023

The world’s largest coal-based ethanol production plant has started test runs in southeastern China, state media reported.

The plant, which has an annual capacity of 600,000 tonnes, uses coal rather than crops as raw materials to produce ethanol – a petrol additive and valuable basic chemical. This is expected to ease the pressure on China’s food sources while reducing its dependence on fuel ethanol imports.

The coal-based plant in Huaibei, Anhui province, with an annual production capacity of 600,000 tonnes, uses advanced technology jointly developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) and the state-owned Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Group, state news agency Xinhua (photo) reported.

The new technology, called DMTE, produces methanol from coke oven gas – a by-product of coke production – which then reacts with other materials to generate ethanol. It can enable large-scale production of ethanol not only from coal, but natural gas or gas from steel plants as well, according to the DICP report.

China is the only country known to have deployed the technology on an industrial level.

Read full article on the South China Morning Post website.

#coalgasification  #coaltoethanol  #dicp  #china  #huabei  #dmte 

TECHNOLOGIE ALREADY OPERATING

Coal Gasification
▪️Startup Date: August 2015 (Phase I), July 2021 (Phase II)
▪️Plant Capacity: Supports total methanol production of 2×1.8 million tons/year
▪️Technology Provider: Yanchang Petroleum (integrated proprietary technology)
▪️Feedstock: Coal
▪️Products: Synthesis gas (syngas)

Natural Gas Steam Reforming
▪️Startup Date: August 2015 (Phase I), July 2021 (Phase II)
▪️Capacity: Integrated into methanol production capacity
▪️Provider: Proprietary integrated technology by Yanchang Petroleum
▪️Feedstock: Natural gas
▪️Products: Synthesis gas (syngas)

Rectisol Gas Cleaning
▪️Startup Date: August 2015 (Phase I), July 2021 (Phase II)
▪️Capacity: Integrated into methanol production capacity
▪️Provider: Proprietary integrated technology
▪️Feedstock: Raw syngas from coal gasification and natural gas reforming
▪️Products: Purified syngas for methanol synthesis

Methanol Synthesis
▪️Startup Date: August 2015 (Phase I), July 2021 (Phase II)
▪️Capacity: 2×1.8 million tons/year
▪️Provider: Yanchang Petroleum proprietary integrated technology
▪️Feedstock: Purified syngas (coal-based and natural gas-based mixed syngas), DCC hydrogen-rich gas
▪️Products: MTO-grade Methanol

Methanol to Olefins (DMTO)
▪️Startup Date: August 2015 (Phase I), July 2021 (Phase II)
▪️Capacity: 2×600,000 tons/year
▪️Provider: Proprietary DMTO technology
▪️Feedstock: Methanol
▪️Products: Ethylene, Propylene

Residual Oil Catalytic Thermal Cracking (DCC)
▪️Startup Date: August 2015
▪️Capacity: 1.5 million tons/year
▪️Provider: Institute of Petroleum Technology (Double riser technology)
▪️Feedstock: Residual oil
▪️Products: Olefins, Naphtha, Light Diesel

Veba Combi Cracking (VCC) Plant
▪️Startup Date: Operational since 2015
▪️Capacity: 450,000 tons/year
▪️Provider: KBR/BP alliance
▪️Feedstock: FCC slurry oil and coal slurry
▪️Products Made: Naphtha, ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD)

Polyolefin Units
▪️6 sets of polyolefin units (operating or scheduled) totaling 1.9 million tons/year.
▪️High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): 300,000 tons/year
▪️Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE):300,000 tons/year
▪️Polypropylene (PP): 600,000 tons/year

Near-zero Wastewater Discharge System
▪️First phase started July,20,2014; upgraded in October,2020.
▪️Capacity: Phase I initial design scale 876m³/h – 
Phase I expansion to 1300m³/h▪️Feedstock: Industrial wastewater, domestic sewage, rainwater
▪️Products Made: Recycled water, sodium sulfate salt, sodium chloride salt

TECHNOLOGIES CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR IN PROJECT PHASE

Naphtha and Light Diesel Comprehensive Utilization Project
▪️Estimated Startup Date: End of March,2024
▪️Plant Capacity: Naphtha hydrorefining unit – 250,000 tons/year, Light diesel hydrorefining unit – 200,000 tons/year, Olefin raw material refining unit – 250,000 tons/year, Heavy aromatics adsorption separation unit – 200,000 tons/year.
▪️Technology Provider: Heavy aromatics adsorption separation technology provided by CNOOC Tianjin Chemical Research and Design Institute Co., Ltd.
▪️Feedstock: Naphtha and light diesel produced as by-products from DCC unit.
▪️Products Made: Benzene, toluene, mixed xylenes, aromatics.

Low Density Polyethylene and Copolymer Plant
▪️Startup Date: License secured September 24, 2024.
▪️Capacity: 150,000 tons/year.
▪️Technology Provider: ECI Group
▪️Technology: Proprietary hybrid reactor high-pressure polymerization technology developed from ICI autoclave technology.
▪️Feedstock: Ethylene with co-monomers such as vinyl acetate (for EVA) and butyl acrylate (for EBA).
▪️Products Made: LDPE (packaging films, coatings), EVA (adhesives, solar encapsulants), and EBA (sealants, specialty applications).

Methanol Gasification Slag Comprehensive Utilization Project
(No explicit startup date provided)

MTBE Unit Low-temperature Heat Utilization Project
(In progress; no explicit startup date provided)

Coal Gasification Conversion Condensate Environmental Protection Comprehensive Management Project
(Currently in project/research stage; no specific startup date provided.)

Methane Conversion Air Preheater Upgrade Energy-saving Project
(Currently in project/research stage; no specific startup date provided.)

Photovoltaic Power Generation Project
(Currently in project/research stage; no specific startup date provided.)

Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Demonstration Project
(Currently under development; no explicit startup date provided.)
▪️Plant Capacity: 360,000 tons/year CO₂ capture and storage
▪️Technology Provider: Proprietary CCUS technology developed by Yanchang Petroleum Group.
▪️Feedstock: CO₂ emissions from coal chemical enterprises.
▪️Products Made: Enhanced oil recovery through CO₂ flooding and underground storage.

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT TECHNOLOGIES MENTIONED BUT WITHOUT EXPLICIT OPERATIONAL STATUS OR DATES PROVIDED

These technologies are mentioned as part of the company's comprehensive utilization strategy or future plans without clear operational status or startup dates explicitly indicated:

C₄ Mix to Olefin Conversion Unit (OCU) (mentioned implicitly as part of the olefin downstream processing chain)

C₅ Mix Recycling (implied as part of comprehensive utilization but not explicitly detailed with dates or capacities.)

Coal-Methane Co-gasification Technology (mentioned as a future planned project without explicit details on dates or capacities.)

Propane and Isobutane Dehydrogenation for Acrylic Acid and Esters Production (mentioned as planned projects without explicit details on dates or capacities.)


#coaltoolefins  #gasification  #methanol  #dmto  #methanoltoolefins  #dcc  #fcc  #catalyticcracking  #vcc  #vebacombicracking  #polyolefins  #netzero  #mtbe  #sustainability  #ccus  #ocu  #olefinconversionunit 

Veba Combi-Cracking Technology (VCC), a primarily slurry phase hydrocracking technology, has been added.


#vcc  #combicracking  #slurryphase  #hydrocracking  #residue  #petroleumresidue 

A description of the organic hydroperoxide method to produce propylene oxide has been added.


#posm  #smpo  #tba  #propyleneoxide  #po  #peroxide  #styrenehydroperoxide  #coproduct 

The Shahen TC2C Project Mass Balance has been completed. 
The TC2C Plant will import 46,000 bpd of Arab Light crude oil, corresponding to 2,300,000 tonnes annually.
However, in order to obtain the announced product quantities (1,800,000 tonnes of ethylene, 770,000 tonnes of propylene, 200,000 tonnes of butadiene, and 280,000 tonnes of benzene) our calculation based on typical cracking yields show that the feedstock needs to amount to almost 5 million tonnes.
The cracker will use ROG so that certainly some ethane will be additionally consumed by the cracker, but the feedstock balance reaquired for the precise product quantities is made of 150,000 tonnes of ethane, 1,300,000 tonnes of LPG (C3/C4 = 1:1 ratio) and 3,500,000 tonnes naphtha. Therefrom, 275,000 tonnes of LPG and 1,350,000 tonnes of nahptha  will be provided by the TC2C plant.
We assume that the supplemental feedstock will be imported, unless additional crude oil will be imported and processed with conventional distillation units.
As this is a TC2C demonstration project, it is assumed that only the theoretical quantities of pygas and pyoil originating from the TC2C provided feedstock to the cracker will be recirculated to the TC2C hydrocracking and hydroreating units (270,000 from 475,000 tonnes of pygas, and 65,000 from 113,000 tonnes of fuel oil).
In reality, the sizing of the various hydroprocessing/hydrotreatment units maybe different, but absent confirmation on units capacities, this is our best educated guess.


#tc2c  #shaheen  #massbalance  #crudetochemicals  #crudeoiltochemicals  #c2c  #tc2c  #cotc  #aramco  #soil  #southkorea 

A detailed description of the TC2C crude oil to chemical conversion process has been added.


#lummus  #aramco  #clg  #chevronlummusglobal  #crudeoiltochemicals  #oiltochemicals  #refineryintegration  #steamcracking  #lpg  #naphtha  #olefins  #aromatics  #ctc  #cotc  #coc  #tc2c  #c2c 

A general decription of Crude to Chemical processes has been added.

#crudetochemicals  #ctc  #cotc  #coc  #c2c  #crudeoiltochemicals 

The description of Holborn refinery has been updated, which includes a Process Flow Diagram.

#holborn  #refinery  #germany #hamburg  #sustainability  #co2emissions  #carbonemissions  

The description of the Raffinerie Heide's Hemmingstedt refinery has been updated.


#sustainability  #greenhydrogen  #hydrogenstorage  #emethanol  #cleanfuels  #electrolysis  #westkuste100  #emissions  #co2emissions 

A detailed description of Project ONE is now provided, which includes details about location,  logistics and mobility. ethane cracker technology, and utilities.
 

#co2emissions #emissions  #carbonfootprint  #sustainability  #ethane  #gascracker  #technip  #ineos  #antwerp  #belgium  #pipeline 

Cangrejera gas cracker has an ethylene production capacity of 500,000 tpa

Mexico City, Mexico - February 12, 2025 - Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Mexico's state-owned oil and gas company, has announced a significant investment of $975 million to bolster the country's petrochemical industry. This investment is part of the Mexican government's broader plan to revitalize the sector and reduce reliance on imports.

The funds will be used to reactivate the Cangrejera complex, transforming it into a petrochemical refinery. This move aims to increase domestic production of essential petrochemical products, thereby meeting the growing demand within Mexico and potentially reducing reliance on imports.

Pemex CEO Víctor Rodríguez emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, "This initiative aligns with our commitment to strengthen Mexico's energy independence and foster economic growth." He further highlighted the collaboration between Pemex and other government agencies, including the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Citizen Security, to combat fuel theft and ensure efficient logistics.

The Mexican government's 2024-2030 Hydrocarbon Sector Work Plan outlines several strategic actions for Pemex, including:

▪️Efficient exploration and sustainable production
    of hydrocarbons
▪️Strengthening the refining system
▪️Expanding petrochemical and fertilizer output
▪️Securing efficient logistics
▪️Promoting clean energy generation


#pemex  #petroleosmexicanos   #pemextransformacionindutrial   #veracruz   #mexico   #coatzacoalcos   #cangrejera 

Pemex' Cangrejera Petrochemical Complex has been added.

#pemex #petroleosmexicanos  #pemextransformacionindutrial  #veracrus  #mexico  #coatzacoalcos  #cangrejera 

The description of the aromatics extraction process has been updated. 

#aromatics #extraction  #extractivedistillation  #liquidliquidextraction  #benzeone  #toluene  #xylene  #btx  #pygas  #pyrolysisgasoline  #reformate  #cokerlightoil 

Dutch TTF Gas March 25 (TGH25) Price Chart (€/MWh)

Yara's Hull Plant Mothballing Highlights Europe's Ongoing Energy Challenges

The recent announcement (on 7 February 2025) of Yara International's decision to mothball its Hull ammonia plant in the UK, which has an annual capacity of 300,000 metric tons represents a striking example of how Europe's energy crisis continues to impact industrial production.

This decision is part of a broader strategy to reduce European ammonia production by 1 million metric tons due to high natural gas feedstock costs and the impact of European carbon policies.

The Hull plant closure, likely permanent, reflects the challenges faced by energy-intensive industries in Europe, where elevated energy prices and regulatory pressures have significantly eroded competitiveness.

The Natural Gas-Fertilizer Connection

Fertilizer production, particularly nitrogen-based fertilizers, is
inextricably linked to natural gas prices. Natural gas serves not only as an energy source but also as a key raw material in the production process. Through the Haber-Bosch process, natural gas (methane) is converted into hydrogen, which then combines with nitrogen from the air to produce ammonia – the building block of nitrogen fertilizers.

When natural gas prices surge, fertilizer production costs increase dramatically, as gas can represent up to 80% of the production costs for nitrogen fertilizers. This direct relationship makes fertilizer plants particularly vulnerable to gas price volatility.

The Chain of Events: Europe's Energy Market Transformation

The current situation stems from a series of significant changes in Europe's energy landscape:

Europe took the decisive step of sanctioning gas imports from Russia altogether, forcing a dramatic restructuring of its energy supply chains. This led to a rushed transition toward liquefied natural gas (LNG) from distant suppliers like the United States and Qatar. However, LNG proves significantly more expensive than pipeline gas due to the complex processes of liquefaction, oceanic transport, storage and regasification.

Germany's decision to accelerate the dismantling of its nuclear power plants set an early precedent for increased gas dependency in Europe's largest economy. This shift put additional pressure on the continent's gas supplies and grid stability.

The situation intensified when the Baltic states decided to cut
themselves off from the Russian power grid on 9 February 2025, leading to significant spikes in regional electricity prices. This was preceded by Ukraine's decision to halt gas transit through its territory on 1 January 2025, which had been a crucial pipeline route for Russian gas reaching European markets.

New U.K. Tax Rates Are Hammering North Sea Oil And Gas Drilling

In the UK, the situation intensified in October when the UK government raised the Energy Profits Levy (EPL), commonly known as the windfall tax, from 35% to 38%. The United Kingdom currently imposes one of the world's highest tax burdens on offshore oil and gas production, with operators in the North Sea facing a total tax rate of 78% resulting from the combination of standard taxation and the EPL.

The policy has created a challenging environment for the UK's domestic energy production, Britain now paying the highest electricity prices in the World.

Norway's Gas Threat: A New Risk to Europe's Energy Security

Norway, a critical supplier of natural gas to Europe, has recently hinted at potential disruptions to its energy exports due to domestic and geopolitical pressures. Currently providing nearly half of Germany's gas supply, Norway has become indispensable for European energy security following the decline of Russian gas imports.

However, soaring electricity prices in Norway—six times the EU average—have sparked domestic backlash, with political parties advocating for reduced energy exports to prioritize national affordability. Additionally, technical failures, such as the January 2025 shutdown of Norway's Hammerfest LNG plant, have already tightened Europe's strained energy supply.

These developments highlight Europe’s vulnerability to disruptions in Norwegian gas flows, further exacerbating its ongoing energy crisis.

European Decarbonization Policies

Both the EU and the UK are undergoing significant transformations in their energy landscapes as part of ambitious decarbonization policies aimed at achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The EU’s European Green Deal and legally binding Climate Law, alongside the UK’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), have driven renewable energy adoption and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

The measures have significantly impacted energy prices across Europe. Investments in green technologies, carbon pricing, and restrictions on fossil fuel use have increased costs for industries and households alike.

In the UK, phasing out coal power and limiting new oil and gas licenses have heightened dependency on renewables and imported energy, raising concerns about energy security.

Deindustrialization in Europe: The Impact of Surging Energy and Gas Prices

These rising costs are placing heavy financial pressure on energy-intensive industries across Europe and the UK, accelerating trends of deindustrialization, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, net zero energy policy decisions, and the reduction of Russian gas supplies.

Energy-intensive industries, such as chemicals, steel, and aluminum, have been particularly affected, with many companies curbing production or relocating to regions with lower energy costs like the U.S. or Asia. Yara's decision to close its Hull ammonia plant is only the latest in a long list of industrial failures across Europe.

#naturalgas  #deindustrialization  #europe  #fertilizer  #ammonia  #lng #ttf

Liquid fuel-fired power plants have been added, of which they are two types: steam cycle or combined cycle power stations and power plants running on diesel engines. 


#powerplant  #powerstation  #oilpowerplant  #dieselengine  #fueloilpowerplant  #steamcycle  #combinedcycle 

A Generic Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Coal Power Plant technology has been added.


#igcc  #coalpowerplant  #combinedcycle  #steamcycle  #gasturbine  #coalgasification  #

Coal power plant has been added and a generic technology created.


#coalpowerplant  #steamcyclecoalpowerplant  #coal  #steamcycle  #gasification  #igcc  "electricpower #electricity  #powergeneration 

Compressed air added.


#air  #compressedair  #pressure 

Gas-fired power station has been added and a generic gas power plant technology created.

#gaspowerplant #gaspowerstation  #naturalgas  #steamcycle  #combinedcycle  #gasturbine 

Gas-fired power station has been added and a generic gas power plant technology created.

#gaspowerplant #gaspowerstation  #naturalgas  #steamcycle  #combinedcycle  #gasturbine 

A Generic Central Tower Solar technology has been added.

#solarpower #solarenergy  #centraltowersolarplant  #csp  #concentrated  solarpower

Solar Power Plant technology type has been added.

#solarpv #csp  #concentratedsolar #photovoltaic  #solarenergy  #solarpower 

A Generic Water Pipeline technology has been added.


#water  #pipeline  #desalinatedwater  #drinkingwater  #irrigation  #coolingwater  #wastewater 

Condensate (hot water) has been added.

#water #hotwater  #condensate  #steam  #steamnetwork  #styemheating 

Thermal Generation Systems has been added as Technology-Type in the Energy Production Process category.


#thermalenergy  #energygeneration  #combustion  

Hassi Messaoud refinery has been created and its mass balance initialized.

#condensate #hassimessaoud  #sonotrach  #refinery  #algeria 

RAK2 Skikda condensate refinery has been added and its mass balance initialized with condensate import fed to the condensate splitter.


#sonatrach  #skikda  #algeria  #refinery  #condensate 

Aug 28, 2024 | Offshore Technology

The venture, estimated to cost more than $10bn (Rs839.48bn), is in discussion with ONGC and its subsidiary HPCL.

The Chatterjee Group (TCG), a US-based private equity firm, is seeking a partnership with Indian state-run companies for an oil-to-chemicals project in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, reported Bloomberg, citing sources. TCG is in discussion with Oil & National Gas Corporation (ONGC) and its subsidiary Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL). The proposal suggests the state companies collectively hold a 49% stake in the project – estimated to cost more than $10bn – while TCG, which operates in India through Haldia Petrochemicals, would retain the remaining 51% share. TCG’s project aims to produce 3.5mtpa of ethylene and propylene.

As per Reuters’ April report, Haldia Petrochemicals CEO Navanit Narayan stated that the project is expected to be operational by 2029. The project’s financial closure is anticipated by the end of 2024. Haldia Petrochemicals currently operates a petrochemical plant in eastern India and is developing the nation’s largest integrated phenol project in West Bengal’s Haldia.

The potential investment reflects India’s focus on expanding petrochemical capacities, providing essential materials for a range of products from consumer goods to automotive components. As per government estimates, the demand for chemicals and petrochemicals in India is projected to triple to $1trn by 2040. Oil refiners, including Reliance Industries led by Mukesh Ambani, are shifting their production focus towards petrochemicals over traditional fuels to cater to the increasing demand for specialty plastics and chemicals used in solar panels and electric vehicles.

As per Reuters’ April report, Haldia Petrochemicals CEO Navanit Narayan stated that the project is expected to be operational by 2029. The project’s financial closure is anticipated by the end of 2024. In other development, ONGC has recently been granted government approval for an additional investment of $2.19bn into its petrochemical unit ONGC Petro Additions.

#haldia  #chatterjeegroup  #india  #cotc  #oiltochemical  #hplc  #ongc  #reliance  #ethylene  #propylene  #petrochemicals  #oilrefining  #petroadditions 

10 Dec 2024.

COAL IMPORTS

In 2024, the global reliance on thermal coal is proving to be more resilient than expected. Kpler reports a 9 million metric ton increase in thermal coal exports for the first 11 months compared to 2023, with Indonesia leading the charge by exporting over 500 million metric tons. Exports will climb further in December as power firms stock up for the Northern hemisphere winter. China expanded imports by around 8% to a record 340 million tons from January 1st through the first week of December.

COAL IMPORTS AND CONSUMPTION

China's electricity generation from coal-fired plants climbed 2% over the first 10 months of 2024 to a new record of 4,838 terawatt hours, according to energy think tank Ember, making 2024 the ninth consecutive year of coal-fired expansion in China. The continued expansion in coal imports and use underscores the difficulty of dislodging fossil fuels from energy systems, and may disappoint those hoping for a peak in coal burning. Beyond China, other key growth markets for coal imports and consumption this year are across Southeast Asia, where several economies have benefited from expanded manufacturing output and exports, and rising regional consumption.

Sources: finimize, Reuters

#coal  #thermalcoal  #china  #india  #indonesia  #coalexports  #coalimports 

Technology to produce methanol from syngas has been added.


#hydrogen  #co  #carbonmonoxide  #syngas  #methanol  #hydrogenation  #co2  

Guangxi Huayi Energy Chemical Co., Ltd. and Gas Island Project in Qinzhou have been added.
 

#guangxi  #shanghai  #china  #huayi  #energychemical  #gasislandproject  # coal #coalgasification  #methanol  #ethyleneglycol  #meg  #aceticacid  #coaltochemicals  #coaltomethanol  #coaltoolefins 

Construction site of Xinjiang Zhongtai New Materials Co., Ltd.'s resource-based comprehensive utilization methanol upgrade demonstration project. Image provided by Zhongtai New Materials Co., Ltd.

Xinjiang Zhongtai New Materials Methanol Project Construction Accelerates.

2024-08-09 12:35:58 Source: Tianshan Net - Xinjiang Daily Original

Tianshan Net-Xinjiang Daily (reported by reporter Shi Xin) At present, the construction site of Xinjiang Zhongtai New Materials Co., Ltd.'s resource-based comprehensive utilization of methanol upgrading demonstration project is crowded with people and roaring machines. Construction personnel are working hard and efficiently to advance the project towards the October 30 deadline.

The project is an important project of Xinjiang Zhongtai New Materials Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Zhongtai New Materials Company") in the modern coal chemical industry planning. It is located in Toksun County with a total investment of 5.991 billion yuan. The project makes full use of the characteristics and advantages of coal chemical industry, uses the by-product screening residues (coal powder and coke foam) of the company's semi-coke device as gasification raw materials, and turns low-value materials into production raw materials, thereby increasing their added value, extending the industrial chain, realizing the resource utilization of waste, and improving the development level of the coal classification and quality utilization industry.

At the same time, lignite tail gas (raw coal gas) can be purified to produce hydrogen, and using hydrogen as raw gas for synthesizing methanol can reduce raw coal consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

On July 23, the first methanol synthesis tower of the project was successfully hoisted, marking the full entry into the peak stage of installation. At present, Zhongtai New Materials Company is scientifically formulating construction plans and accurately reversing construction plans with the project general contractor, construction unit, and supervision unit under the premise of ensuring quality and safety.

Ma Kui, Party Secretary and Chairman of Zhongtai New Materials Company, said that the implementation of the project can promote the comprehensive utilization of resources locally and nearby. After it is put into production, it can form mutual support between the internal industries of Xinjiang Zhongtai (Group) Co., Ltd., continuously enhance the overall competitiveness and stability of the industrial chain, and meet the methanol demand of Xinjiang fine chemicals and new chemical materials enterprises, while also creating 800 jobs.

[Editor: Liu Hai]

#coaltomethanol #coal  #newmaterials  #zhongtai  #turpan  #china  #xinjiang 

Market Information at 10:36, November 22, 2024 | Sina Finance APA

According to Sinochem News, the Xinjiang Zhongtai New Materials Co., Ltd.'s resource-based comprehensive utilization methanol upgrade demonstration project, which was general contracted by China Tianchen Engineering Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Chemical Corporation, successfully completed the handover ceremony of the gasification/air separation unit, marking the official entry of the project from the construction stage to the trial production preparation stage.

Tianchen Company is mainly responsible for the construction of the air separation and gasification units of the project. The air separation unit is equipped with two sets of 60,000 standard cubic meters/hour space separation equipment, and the gasification unit is equipped with three 286,331 standard cubic meters/hour (CO+H₂) synthesis gas gasifiers.

It is reported that since the start of the project, the Xinjiang Zhongtai Project Department has fully mobilized various resources, leveraged its project management advantages, led all participating units to overcome difficulties, promoted high-standard and high-quality construction of the project, and successfully completed the contract schedule goals.

#xinjiang  #zhongtai  #newmaterial  #turpan  #toksun  #coal  #coaltomethanol  #gasification 

Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical's 1 million ton coal-to-methanol project.

Date: 2024-9-24 | China Carbide Network News.

      On September 10, 2024, the Xinjiang Zhongtai New Materials Project substation constructed by the Xinjiang Branch of Sinochem Second Construction Group Co., Ltd. successfully received power for the first time, which was well received by all parties. The completion of this key node laid the foundation for the single-unit commissioning.

The Xinjiang Zhongtai Resource Comprehensive Utilization Methanol Upgrading Demonstration Project mainly constructs 1 million tons / year methanol and 18,900 tons / year sulfuric acid production lines, as well as air separation units , gasification units, low-temperature methanol-washed synthesis gas purification units, methanol synthesis units and supporting units.

The Xinjiang Zhongtai New Materials Resource Comprehensive Utilization Methanol Upgrading Demonstration Project is located in Tongxin Industrial Park, Alehui Town, Toksun County, Xinjiang. The planned total investment is about 5.99 billion yuan. The waste gas and screenings (coke powder and coal foam) produced by the semi-coke unit built by Zhongtai Group in Toksun County are used as raw materials to build a 1 million tons / year methanol project. The gasification unit is equipped with 3 Jinhua furnaces 3.0 , which mainly produce 286.331Nm3/h ( CO+H₂ ) of synthetic gas , with an annual operating time of 8,000 hours, 2 in operation and 1 in standby.

#zhongtai  #newmaterial  #coaltomethanol  #china  #turpan  #xinjiang  #coal  #methanol 

Zhongtai Toksun Energy Chemical and calcium carbide manufacturing site have been added.

#zhongthai #toksun  #energychemical  #calciumcarbide  #coal  #china  #turpan  #xinjiang 

Shenmu Fuyou Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and production site in Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, have been added. It is a coal to chemical producer and a subsidiary of Shaanxi Coal Group.


#fuyoutechnology  #shaanxi  #yulin  #china  #coaltochemical  #pyrolysis  #coaltar  #shaanxicoalgroup 

The product sutructure of the ZPC Zhoushan refining and chemical operations has been updated. 


#zpc  #zpcc  #zpczhoushan  #zheijiang  #zheijiangpetrochemical  #zheijiangpetroleumandchemicals  #zhoushan  #china  #rongsheng  #aramco  #saudiaramco  #crudeoil  #coaltochemical 
 

Shaanxi Yulin Energy Group Co., Ltd. has been added.
 

#shaanxi #yulin  #yulinenergygroup  #china  #coal  #coaltochemical 

Shaanxi Yulin Energy Chemical New Materials Co., Ltd. and manufacturing site created. Project is co-located with Yulin Energy Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Coal-to-chemical site is in a project phase.


#shaanxi  #yulinenergy  #newmaterials  #coaltochemical  #epoxyresin  #chloralkali
 

Shaanxi Coal Group Yulin Chemical and the two-phases of the coal-to-chemical projects in Shenmu have been added.

#shaanicoalgroup  #yulinchemical  #coaltochemical  #coaltoolefins  #coaltoaromatics  #china 

Yulin Energy Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd. and manufacturing site created. Details about actual activities of the site are not clear.

Project is co-located with Shaanxi Yulin Energy Chemical New Materials Co., Ltd.

#yulinenergy  #china  #shaanxi  #coaltochemical  #finechemicals 

Picture: Indian subcontinent refineries, via ppPLUS

India’s dependence on imports to meet its requirements of basic petrochemicals, including polymers, is only expected to rise, despite projects – under implementation and on the drawing boards. This is partly because the historical baggage of poor capacity builds will take time to catch up with rising demand.

In the last few years, however, India’s public sector refiners have climbed on the petrochemicals bandwagon, seeking value-added outlets for refinery streams. They have invested in aromatics (for feeding the polyester value chain), propylene (for polypropylene, PP, and some other chemicals notably, oxo-alcohols and acrylate monomers), linear alkyl benzene (LAB), a key detergent raw material, and a few other projects. And more are to come in the near-term.

There are several commonalities amongst the firm projects. For one, the emphasis seems to be on building the C3 (propylene) value chain. This is not surprising as FCC propylene offers a simple, low-cost route to the olefin and one that can be conveniently retrofitted into existing refinery operations. There is also an overwhelming emphasis on PP production, which may not be wise, as it runs the risk of overbuild should demand growth not pan out as anticipated.

There are other propylene derivatives that can be considered, and these merit attention if not by the refiners themselves then by third party investors for whom it will be more worthwhile. Much will hinge on the commercials of the olefin supply arrangement, but such business models are widely followed, including here in India, let alone in other countries.

Importantly, the government needs to recognise that the chemical industry as a key enabler of modern living, and not a nuisance to be constrained through regulation and red-tape. The priority must be on developing well-developed clusters where not just the petrochemical industry, but also the broad chemical industry – including the fine and specialty chemical industries, wherein India’s competitiveness is well recognised – can locate and start operations in double-quick time. Clusters are efficient and safe locales where the industry can thrive, as several countries have amply shown.
 
India needs a much larger and more diversified chemical industry than it has now. The former it seems is happening. Not so sure of the latter. The herd mentality to investments needs to change. Those who have dared to do so – and there are a few examples – have been amply rewarded. More need to emulate, not imitate, them!

Ravi Raghavan, 12 Nov 2024, Linkedin post.

#india  #petrochemicals  #chemicals  #valuechains  #propylene  #fcc  #refinery  #polyester  #aromatics  #olefins  #polypropylene  #acrylics  #lab  #chemicalindustry  #indianchemicals  #IOCL  #BPCL  #HPCL  #RelianceIndustries  #investment  #specialitychemicals  #finechemicals  #oilrefining  #polymers  #ethylene  #competitiveness 

HDPE description has been updated.

#hdpe #polyethylene  #density  #comonomer 

Former Ineos Limited, an intermediate holding company of the INEOS group, was renamed into Ineos 2010 Limited. 

The actual ultimate parent undertaking and subsequently created Ineos Limited company, is incorporated in the Isle of Man and for our purpose of reflecting the Corporate structure of the INEOS Group, is designed as the overarching Corporate entity.

#ineos  #limited  #corporation  #ineosgroup 

Description of phosgene (main product) has been updated.

#cocl2  #phosgene 

Saudi Aramco is betting that the internal combustion engine will be around for a "very, very long time" as the world's largest oil company sees a business opportunity in the growing popularity of electric vehicles.

The state-owned oil group, which generated $500 billion in revenue last
year mainly from the production and sale of crude oil, acquired a 10 percent stake in Horse Powertrain for €740 million in June 2024, a company that makes internal combustion engines.

The calculation by Saudi Aramco and Horse's other shareholders - Chinese automaker Geely and its French rival Renault - is that as the industry stops designing and developing its own internal combustion engines, it will start buying them from third parties, the Financial Times said.

"It will be incredibly expensive for the world to completely eradicate or do away with internal combustion engines," said Yasser Mufti, Saudi Aramco's executive vice president in charge of the deal. "If you look at
affordability and a lot of other factors, I think they will be around
for a very, very long time."

Asked if he thought internal combustion engines would exist forever, Mufti answered in the affirmative. Saudi Aramco has previously said it believes that even in 2050, more than half of all cars will still be running on some form of fuel.

Photo: Aramco News, 28^th June 2024
At the signing ceremony, front row, from left: Renault Group Senior Vice President of International Development & Partnerships Francois Provost, Aramco Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight & Coordination Ali A. Al Meshari, and Geely Head of Strategy & Partnership (Chairman’s Office) Fiona Fei. Back row, from left: Valvoline Global Operations CEO Jamal Muashsher, HORSE Powertrain Limited CEO Matias Giannini, Aramco Executive Vice President of Products & Customers Yasser M. Mufti, Geely General Counsel Tihua Huang, and Aramco Vice President of Downstream Growth & Development Andrew Katz.

#diesel  #gasoline  #aramco  #crudeoil  #refining  #fuels  #combustionengines 

A division of Alphabet Inc. has claimed carbon neutrality in its operations since 2007. This status was achieved by purchasing carbon offsets to match the emissions produced by its buildings, data centers, and business travel.

However, in its latest report, the company states:
"Starting in 2023, we no longer support operational carbon neutrality."

Google has ceased its substantial purchase of inexpensive carbon offsets. This strategic shift coincided with Google and Big Tech's dramatic move towards artificial intelligence technology, which is extremely resource-intensive.

As a result, energy consumption in 2023 was 48% higher than in 2019. Total energy consumption doubled over that period.

Microsoft shares a similar story. The company's AI activities led to a 30% increase in emissions compared to 2020, although it still aims to become carbon-negative by 2030.

#microsoft  #google  #alphabet  #ai  #artificialintelligence  #energyconsumption  #carboncredits  #carbonneutrality  #carbonoffsets  #emissions  #CO2  #carbondioxide  #carbonnegative 

Corrosion can come in many ways. Identifying the root cause is primordial in order to select better materials or suppliers.

Here is a short article on such a case: Cold water pipes

#corrosion #rootcause #expert  #asset  #integrity