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Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Chemical Industry – Failure due to corrosion

Most industries bear the brunt of the ‘rot’ simply because corrosion prevention usually does not find a significant part in the master plan of mega projects. Every corrosion is different and each industry needs a different plan to evade corrosion. Be a part of WorldofChemicals’ “Corrosion Technology Forum” on June 7 and 8 in Bengaluru. Connect with industry stalwarts as we discuss corrosion prevention opportunities in the four major industries across geographies.

Oil & Gas Industry / Refineries / Petrochemicals

Mitigating corrosion risk from exploration to production

Oil & gas pipelines, refineries and petrochemical plants face serious problems due to corrosion. Corrosion affects every aspect of exploration and production – from offshore rigs to casing to in and around the pipelines transporting crude oil & gas. The atmosphere and flow regimes of fluids in the pipes greatly influence the corrosion rate. Over the next five years, these industries have outlined major production and capacity, expansion plans. In such a case, it is advisable to adopt corrosion protection technology beforehand from a long term perspective.

Further, with the population growth and infrastructure expansion, decisions in terms of addressing pipeline corrosion need to be handled in an aggressive manner.

Hikma appoints former Teva executive as CEO

LONDON, UK: Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc (HIK) has appointed Sigurdur (Siggi) Olafsson as chief executive officer (CEO). Said Darwazah, Hikma’s current chairman and CEO, will assume the position of executive chairman. These changes are effective immediately.

Olafsson was most recently president and CEO of global generic medicines group of Teva Pharmaceuticals, a position he held from 2014 to 2016.

Olafsson will also join Hikma’s board of directors as an executive director, subject to election at the next annual general meeting in May 2018.

With over 25 years of diverse pharmaceutical experience, Olafsson brings substantial commercial and operational capabilities and has a strong track record of driving performance and delivering growth. He has held many leadership roles at some of the world’s largest generic pharmaceutical companies, the company said.

As CEO, Olafsson will be responsible for the effective development and execution of Hikma’s corporate strategy, focusing on opportunities to accelerate the growth of the global business. All members of Hikma’s executive committee will report to Olafsson, who will report to Darwazah. He will initially be based in the US before relocating to Hikma’s head office in London, UK.

Fitness, healthcare industry complements growth of the market

There is a sense of awakening throughout the world to endorse a healthier lifestyle and eliminate unhealthy food habits. People are engaging in personal research to structure their eating habits towards nutritionally rich food, and are self-appraising their habits to attain health stability. This has excavated a strong market for nutraceuticals and is expected to keep evolving over the coming years, according to a report by Future Market Insights.

Junk food, which was until recently at the helm of people’s desires, is now being avoided by a large chunk of health-conscious population. This prompts the need for healthy substitutes, and nutraceuticals make up for that vacuum in the market. The market is expected to thrive on the forces such as an increased awareness amongst people, sensitivity towards health, and the collective effort to alleviate diseases. The market is expected to inflate in Asia Pacific where people are desperate to change their lifestyle through quicker approaches for prevention of diseases.

Trends and Prospects

Nutraceutical products act as efficient agents to tame obesity, enhance skin, and are even administered during cancer treatments. This places key vitality to the market for nutraceuticals which is expected to flourish on account of the immense acceptance of nutraceuticals.

Osaka Soda to acquire 31.3 percent stake in Nitto Kako

TOKYO, JAPAN: Osaka Soda Co Ltd has agreed to acquire1,200,000 shares (31.3 percent of voting rights) in Nitto Kako Co Ltd (Nitto Kako)

Major shareholders of Nitto Kako are Mitsubishi Chemical Co Ltd which holds 36.3 percent and Aichi Tire Industry Co Ltd which holds 5.3 percent.

Nitto Kako is a manufacturer of the rubber compounds for vehicle application and the moulded products such as rubber sheets or rubber mats for construction and gains high customer appreciation through technological abilities.

Osaka Soda and its affiliated companies are expanding business according to its mid-term management plan “Next Frontier-100” in which “new products and new businesses” and “expansion of global businesses” are positioned as growth engine.

Osaka Soda boosted the downstream expansion of compound business, especially, focusing on epichlorohydrin rubber for office automation equipment which features a superior heat resistance, oil resistance, and electrical conduction and on synthetic rubber such as acrylic rubber for vehicle which features a superior heat-resistance and oil-resistance.

Supermarkets to witness growth in lactose-free dairy products

Lactose-free products are particularly made for lactose-intolerant individuals. Lactose-free dairy products contain reduced lactose content which provides nutritional benefits to the consumers without having any adverse reactions. Lactose-free dairy productsmarket is expected to witness an impressive CAGR over the forecast period. Lactose-free dairy products are the most trending dairy products which are consumed on a large scale by lactose intolerant consumers, according to a report by Future Market Insights.

Lactose-free dairy products contain an enzyme called as lactase which helps in breaking down milk sugar galactose in order to avoid stomach problems in lactose intolerant consumers. Lactose-free dairy products are sweeter as the regular dairy products, due to the ultra-pasteurization of the dairy products. As a result of ultra-pasteurization of the dairy products, the shelf life of lactose-free dairy products has been extended.

Demand for lactose-free dairy products has increased widely due to the presence of lactase enzyme which helps in reducing symptoms such as abdominal discomfort including diarrhoea, nausea, and gas and bloating caused due to the incomplete lactose digestion.

Westlake to increase PVC-VCM capacity in Germany, US

HOUSTON, US: Westlake Chemical Corporation (WLK) said that it will expand capacities for the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) at three of its chemical facilities.

Two of the plants are located in Germany (Burghausen, Gendorf) and one is located in Geismar, Louisiana. The expansions in Burghausen and Geismar are expected to be completed in 2019. The Gendorf expansions are expected to be completed in 2020 and 2021.

The expansion projects are expected to add approximately 750 million pounds annually of additional PVC and approximately 200 million pounds annually of additional VCM to the company’s production. Speciality PVC will be expanded at Burghausen and suspension PVC will be expanded at Geismar.

VCM production will be expanded at Geismar and Gendorf. In addition, chlor-alkali production will be expanded at the Gendorf facility, adding approximately 55 million pounds annually of chlorine capacity and the associated 60 million pounds annually of membrane caustic soda capacity.

Total, Novealis to form 50-50 petrochemicals JV in US

PARIS-VIENNE, FRANCE/ CALGARY, CANADA: Total SA (Total), Borealis AG (Borealis) and Nova Chemicals Corporation (NOVA Chemicals) have signed definitive agreements to form a joint venture (JV) in petrochemicals on the US Gulf Coast.

The joint venture – in which Total will own 50 percent and Novealis Holdings LLC, a joint venture between Borealis and NOVA Chemicals, will own the remaining 50 percent.

The joint venture will include:

The under-construction 1 metric tonne per year (2.2 b lb) ethane steam cracker in Port Arthur, Texas

Total’s existing polyethylene 400 kiloton per year (880 m lb) facility in Bayport, Texas

A new 625 kt/y (1.35 b lb) Borstar polyethylene unit at Total’s Bayport, Texas site, following a decision on the outcome of an acceptable engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract.