Headline News
It is now possible to economically produce plastics from biomass thanks to a new type of catalyst developed by chemists at Utrecht University. According to head researcher Prof Krijn de Jong: "The products are exactly the same [as petroleum-based ones], only they are made of pruning waste instead." The invention has already sparked the interest of the chemical industry, he added. "Until recently, there were too many steps involved in the [biomass] process, so the technology was not efficient or economical enough to be used on a large scale," added de Jong. "Industry will be able to utilise this technology to make bioplastics, biopaints and even biopharmaceuticals. The properties of these products are the same, despite the fact that the raw material is biomass instead of petroleum. The bioplastics are totally identical to regular plastics. "In light of the imminent oil shortage, using sustainable raw materials is an extremely attractive option for industry," continued de Jong. "One major advantage of the method is that the raw materials are sustainable, but do not compete with the food supply, because they consist of wood-like biomass, such as branches, plant stalks and pruning waste." The petroleum-free products are made using a catalyst consisting of iron nanoparticles measuring 0.00002 millimetres. The technology was developed in cooperation with Dow Benelux and Delft University of Technology. >>
Main Product: Gamma-butyrolactone
Tel: +86-576-88312598 88312526 88312597 88312579
Main Product: D(-)-Tartaric Acid
Tel: 0086-579-88236888 88236889
Chemical News
more>>
http://www.chemnet.com
Mathematicians at the University of Manchester are working on a theory that could make buildings 'invisible' to earthquakes. Writing in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, Dr William Parnell has shown that by cloaking components of structures with pressurised rubber, powerf...>>>
http://www.chemnet.com
The facility, which will output high-quality of HD/LDPE/PP, was officially opened on Tuesday by local MP Louise Ellman. "I'm delighted to be able to come and open this plastics recycling plant," said the MP. "As a private investor, Centriforce is putting its faith in the UK's...>>>
China imported 400,133 mt of methanol in January, down 18.1% from December but up 1.9% year on year, according to data released Wednesday by Chinese customs. Iran remained China's top methanol supplier in January, delivering 165,544 mt or just under half of China's total imports for the month. In December, Iran supplied 162,913 mt of methanol to Ch...>>>
US agribusiness group Archer Daniels Midland Co said Wednesday it and Singapore's Wilmar International have forged a strategic partnership in global fertilizer and ocean freight businesses, and tropical oils refining in Europe. Under a memorandum of understanding, the pair agreed to collaborate on fertilizer purchasing and distribution, ADM said, add...>>>
Korean polyethylene offers to Peru have risen $20-30/mt over last week's levels, a Peruvian buyer said Wednesday. While the buyer said Asian offer prices have risen every week this month, they still remain competitive in the Peruvian market. Following the latest increase, Korean resin offers to Peru were heard at $1,610/mt CFR for HDPE film, $1,6...>>>
Iran's Pars Oil and Gas Company said Wednesday production capacity from the offshore South Pars gas field, an extension of Qatar's North Field, was producing 290 million cubic meters a day and it rejected suggestions that Qatar's gas production was significantly higher than Iran's. Iran and Qatar have the second and largest natural gas reserves respe...>>>
Low natural gas prices will "for the first time" lead generators in Texas, Louisiana and the western US to begin switching from coal, Barclays Capital analysts are predicting. While power generators in the Southeast, Northeast and parts of the Central Industrial region have been moving for some time to gas from coal because of the attractive economic...>>>
