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Asahi Kasei is launching a demonstration trial of a rental service for chlor-alkali electrolysis cells in Europe with Nobian GmbH and LOGISTEED Europe BV. Headquartered in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Nobian is one of Europe's leading chlor-alkali companies. Headquartered in Gelderland, the Netherlands, LOGISTEED Europe is a leading logistics company with more than 10 sites in 6 countries in Europe. For over 45 years since commercializing its membrane process for chlor-alkali electrolysis in 1975, Asahi Kasei has earned a strong reputation among customers for offering superior operating performance and reliability as a supplier of all technological elements of the process, including ion-exchange membranes, electrolysis cells, electrodes, and plant operation expertise. Global demand for chlor-alkali in 2022 was approximately 100 M tonnes, and Asahi Kasei's chlor-alkali process has been adopted at more than 150 plants in 30 countries as of Nov 2023, with a total capacity of over 30 M tonnes/y converted to 100% caustic soda, making Asahi Kasei a leading global process supplier. The membrane process for chlor-alkali electrolysis produces chlorine, hydrogen, and caustic soda by electrolyzing brine using ion-exchange membranes. It eliminates the need to use environmentally hazardous mercury or asbestos as process materials, and enables greater energy efficiency. The combination of low-voltage membranes and electrolyzers developed with advanced Asahi Kasei technology reduces CO2 emissions by lowering power consumption in the electrolysis process. Prices of precious metals used in electrolysis cells have been rising with increased demand in battery and electronic component applications, and due to the conflict in Ukraine. It is expected that this trend will continue and accelerate as water electrolysis for hydrogen production becomes widespread. The chlor-alkali industry thus faces a challenge for the effective utilization of limited precious metal resources. As one solution, Asahi Kasei has decided to launch a rental service of chlor-alkali electrolysis cells in Europe with Nobian and LOGISTEED Europe as a first step towards realizing a circular economy of precious metals and other metals. When performing maintenance on electrolysis cells, customers of Asahi Kasei's process need to remove the cells to a maintenance site for a certain period of time, during which production is suspended. This is often followed by high-load operation to make up for the lost production once maintenance is completed, resulting in higher electricity costs. Customers can, by renting replacement electrolysis cells from Asahi Kasei when repairing their own equipment, maintain production capacity or benefit from maximal flexibility by using state of art high performing electrodes enabling lower electricity costs. The replacement cells are maintained at Asahi Kasei's certified repair sites after each use, and then reused among multiple customers in Europe. Furthermore, as customers would not need to own and maintain spare cells that are effectively idle assets at most times, the total amount of precious metals used in Europe can be reduced. Original source: Asahi Kasei Corp, website: https://www.asahi-kasei.com/, Copyright Asahi Kasei Corporation 2023., joint venture; market; patents and technical know-how; research and development; caustic soda; chlor-alkalis; ion exchange membranes; Asahi Kasei; LOGISTEED Europe; [...]

ICL's potash segment operating income stood at $125 M and $496 M in the three months ended 30 Sep 2023 and 30 Sep 2022, respectively. Potash depreciation and amortization stood at $39 M and $41 M in the three months ended 30 Sep 2023 and 30 Sep 2022, respectively. Potash segment EBITDA stood at $164 M and $537 M in the three months ended 30 Sep 2023 and 30 Sep 2022, respectively. Original source: ICL, website: https://www.icl-group.com/, Copyright ICL 2023., company results; potash; [...]

Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited has released its consolidated financial results for the first six months of the year ending 31 Mar 2024 (1 Apr-30 Sep 2023). Revenue from Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare Unit increased by Yen 3.8 bn, or 11.2% year on year, to Yen 37.4 bn as a result of the increase in sales of Loxonin, Minon and others. Original source: Daiichi Sankyo Co Ltd, website: http://www.daiichisankyo.com/, Copyright Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited 2023., company results; loxoprofen sodium; Minon; pharmaceuticals; Daiichi [...]

Hollow-fibre forward osmosis (FO) membranes manufactured by Toyobo Co Ltd are being used for the world's first fully functioning osmotic power plant by Danish venture firm SaltPower. The plant is located at Nobians saltworks in Mariager, Denmark. It is scheduled to start operations in Apr 2023. The osmotic power generation plant developed by SaltPower generates about 100 kW of power by utilizing the difference in salinity between salt water of almost saturated concentration that is pumped up for use in saltworks from underground rock salt layers and fresh water. Toyobo's FO membrane is semipermeable, with a cylindrical pressure vessel densely filled with hollow fibres. Thanks to its unique internal structure, which includes cross winding, both high concentration salt water and fresh water flow uniformly inside the FO membrane, and the increase in flow rate resulting from their osmotic pressure difference can be converted into highly efficient power generation. Toyobo's FO membrane for osmotic power generation also has excellent pressure resistance achieved by the technology that Toyobo has developed for manufacturing RO membranes for seawater desalination. This means the FO membrane can operate even under high operating pressure required for highly efficient osmotic power generation and maintain high power generation efficiency. Toyobo's FO membrane has been used in an osmotic power generation pilot plant operated by SaltPower. The pilot plant went through many demonstration tests before going into practical use. SaltPower plans to actively promote osmotic power plants using Toyobo's FO membranes in Europe. Saltwork with solution mining and chlor alkali industry can benefit immediately from the technology. SaltPower also expect that osmotic power will contribute significantly to the green transition by generating energy when building salt caverns for seasonal storage for hydrogen. In collaboration with SaltPower, Toyobo will continue to support the spread of osmotic power generation, which is one of the most promising renewable energy sources of the future. Toyobo will also contribute to solving environmental issues around the world by using its unique hollow fibre membrane technology for desalination plants that operate at low cost and with lower environmental impact, concentration of industrial wastewater and other factors. Original source: Toyobo, website: http://www.toyobo-global.com/, Copyright Toyobo Co Ltd 2023., energy; plant capacity; plant startup; sales agreement; waste emissions and pollution; fibres; hydrogen; membranes; SaltPower; [...]

Denka Company Limited has decided to end the commissioned manufacturing of macromolecular sodium hyaluronate at the end of Jan 2023. Denka started the commissioned manufacturing of macromolecular sodium hyaluronate in 2000. As the environment surrounding the pharmaceutical market is changing, the company determined that it would be difficult to continue stable commissioned manufacturing due to the ageing of the manufacturing facilities among other factors, which led to the decision to end the commissioned manufacturing of macromolecular sodium hyaluronate. Denka positions the healthcare business as one of its priority areas and produces and supplies influenza vaccines, antigen test kits for COVID-19 and the like, G47delta virus preparation for cancer treatment, and other products in three pillars of prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Going forward, it will focus on those other healthcare businesses. Scheduled end of production: end of Jan 2023. Scheduled end of shipment: end of Mar 2023. The impact of this decision on the consolidated forecast for the fiscal year ending 31 Mar 2023 will be minor. Denka will make no personnel reductions as a result of this decision, and it will reassign employees in the commissioned manufacturing business to priority areas for their continued employment. In addition, Denka will continue 'uruoi', basic cosmetics business that group company (Denka Cosmetics Limited Company) conducts. Original source: Denka, website: http://www.denka.co.jp/eng/top.htm, Copyright Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 2023., plant closure; sodium hyaluronate; Denka; Denka [...]

AGC Vinythai Public Company Limited, a subsidiary of AGC Inc, established on 1 Jul 2022, to integrate AGC Group's chlor-alkali business in Thailand and CLMV markets, has decided to issue new shares to PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC) through a third-party allotment (hereinafter 'Capital Increase Through Allotment'). As announced on 19 Mar 2021, this Capital Increase Through Allotment was a planned procedure as part of the integration and reorganization of the AGC Group's three chlor-alkali business subsidiaries in Thailand and CLMV markets, which three subsidiaries are AGC Chemicals (Thailand) Co Ltd, Vinythai Public Company Limited, and AGC Chemicals Vietnam Co Ltd. This Capital Increase Through Allotment was decided at an extraordinary shareholders' meeting held on 15 Dec 2022, at AGC Vinythai. As a result of this Capital Increase Through Allotment, AGC Vinythai's major shareholders, shareholding ratio, and capital stock will change. As announced on 19 Mar 2021, based on the fact that this reorganization is taking place among AGC's consolidated subsidiaries, AGC believes that the impact on its consolidated business results will be minimal. The AGC Group aims to expand its chlor-alkali chemicals business in Southeast Asia as one of the priority businesses under the AGC plus 2.0 management policy. With this announcement, the procedures for establishing a new company to integrate and reorganize the three chlor-alkali business subsidiaries in Thailand and CLMV markets to strengthen the foundation of its business will be completed. In addition, the AGC Group will continue to implement measures for further business expansion to meet the robust demand for chlor-alkali products in Southeast Asia and contribute to the sustainable development of the region through the supply of its products. Two tables present an overview of the changes in AGC Vinythai's major shareholders, shareholding ratio, and capital stock. Original source: AGC Asahi Glass, website: http://www.agc.com. Copyright Asahi Glass Co Ltd 2022., company structure; chlor-alkalis; AGC; AGC Chemicals (Thailand); AGC Chemicals Vietnam; AGC Group; AGC Vinythai; PTT Global Chemical (GC); [...]

PTT Global Chemical Ltd (GC) has supported an amalgamation between Vinythai Public Company Limited (VNT) and AGC Chemicals (Thailand) Co Ltd (AGC-TH) to create a new company named AGC Vinythai Public Company Limited (AVT). This business restructuring aimed at expanding its overall market and product coverage and bringing it much closer to its target markets, through an integration of PVC and chlor-alkali businesses. The new company was officially registered as of 1 Jul 2022, with GC now holding a 27.32% stake in AVT. The amalgamation represents a significant development which enables AVT to become a leading producer and supplier of PVC and chlor-alkali businesses in the Southeast Asia. Additionally, the move will strengthen GC's downstream business, which has undergone massive growth, while also adding value to GC's olefins business by supplying key feedstock for AVT. All of this is part of a corporate re-shaping strategy that will make GC more competitive and at the same time enhance the value of its downstream products. AVT is a producer of chemical products that are used every day by people from all walks of life. The company is effective in responding to product needs and it has the objective of becoming one of the leading producers of PVC and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), especially throughout Southeast Asia where the market for these products is expanding by 4% per annum. Moreover, AVT plans to use the latest technologies to improve energy efficiency to reduce the environmental impact of its operations without compromising its production. Currently, AVT has the potential to produce 450,000 tonnes/y of PVC, and 720,000 tonnes/y of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). Moreover, there are plans to increase the capacity of PVC and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) to totalling 850,000 tonnes/y and 940,000 tonnes/y respectively. It is anticipated that these capacity addition will be achieved by 1Q 2025. Original source: PTT Global Chemical, website: http://www.pttchem.com/, Copyright PTT Global Chemical 2022., PVC; company structure; joint venture; plant capacity; plant restructuring; caustic soda; polyvinyl chloride; AGC Chemicals (Thailand) (AGC-TH); AGC Vinythai Public (AVT); PTT Global Chemical (GC); Vinythai Public [...]

With respect to the integration and reorganization of the AGC Group's three chlor-alkali business subsidiaries in Thailand and CLMV markets, as announced on 19 Mar 2021, the company announces that it has established a subsidiary company to integrate AGC Chemicals (Thailand) Co Ltd (ACTH), Vinythai Public Company Limited (VNT), and AGC Chemicals Vietnam Co Ltd. As announced on 19 Mar 2021, AGC and GC are in the consideration process to increase GC's ownership in the new company up to 35%. AGC's stake in the new company will not be below 65% as originally planned. The final shareholding ratio of the two companies will be disclosed as soon as it is determined. As announced on 19 Mar 2021, AGC believes that the impact on its consolidated business results will be minimal, since this reorganization is taking place among AGC's consolidated subsidiaries. The AGC Group aims to expand its chlor-alkali chemicals business in Southeast Asia as one of the priority businesses of the AGC plus 2.0 management policy. Through the integration and reorganization of the three chlor-alkali business companies in the Indochina Peninsula and the establishment of a new company, AGC aims to strengthen the foundations of this business in Southeast Asia and achieve further growth. A table presents an outline of the new subsidiary company established. Original source: AGC Asahi Glass, website: http://www.agc.com. Copyright Asahi Glass Co Ltd 2022., company structure; chlor-alkalis; AGC Chemicals (Thailand) (ACTH); AGC Chemicals Vietnam; AGC Group; GC; Vinythai [...]

Following the announcement on 21 Dec 2021, the results of the tender offer for the common shares of Vinythai Public Company Limited (Headquarters: Rayong, Thailand; hereinafter 'VNT') by PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand; hereinafter 'GC') (hereinafter the 'Tender Offer'; tender offer period: from 22 Dec 2021 to 25 Feb 2022) are shown. Following the completion of the Tender Offer, the procedures for delisting VNT from the Stock Exchange of Thailand were completed on 12 Mar 2022. As announced on 19 Mar 2021, AGC believes that the impact on its consolidated business results will be minimal, since this reorganization is taking place among AGC's consolidated subsidiaries. The AGC Group aims to expand its chlor-alkali chemicals business in Southeast Asia as one of the priority businesses of the AGC plus 2.0 management policy. Through the integration and reorganization of the three chlor-alkali business companies in the Indochina Peninsula and the establishment of NewCo, AGC aims to strengthen the foundations of this business in Southeast Asia and achieve further growth. A table shows the major shareholders and shareholding ratio of VNT before and after the Tender Offer. Original source: AGC Asahi Glass, website: http://www.agc.com. Copyright Asahi Glass Co Ltd 2022., company structure; mergers and acquisitions; chlor-alkalis; AGC Group; NewCo; PTT Global Chemical (GC); [...]

Regarding the integration and reorganization of the AGC Group's three chlor-alkali business subsidiaries in Thailand and CLMV markets, as announced on 19 Mar 2021, the outline of the new integrated company to be established through the integration of AGC Chemicals (Thailand) Co Ltd (ACTH), Vinythai Public Company Limited (VNT), and AGC Chemicals Vietnam Co Ltd, has been determined. The details including the company name will be officially decided upon approval at the joint general shareholders' meeting of VNT and ACTH scheduled for late Jun 2022. As announced on 19 Mar 2021, AGC believes that the impact on its consolidated business results will be minimal, since this reorganization is taking place among AGC's consolidated subsidiaries. The AGC Group aims to expand its chlor-alkali chemicals business in Southeast Asia as one of the priority businesses of the AGC plus 2.0 management policy. Through the integration and reorganization of the three chlor-alkali business companies in the Indochina Peninsula and the establishment of NewCo, AGC aims to strengthen the foundations of this business in Southeast Asia and achieve further growth. A table presents an outline of the new company to be established. Original source: AGC Asahi Glass, website: http://www.agc.com. Copyright Asahi Glass Co Ltd 2022., company structure; chlor-alkalis; AGC Chemicals (Thailand) (ACTH); AGC Chemicals Vietnam; AGC Group; NewCo; Vinythai [...]

In the production of high-grade potash fertilizers and other mineral products, solid and liquid residues inevitably arise under the current state of the art. Although K+S has already more than halved the volume of saline waters over the past 20 years, the remaining wastewaters will have to be disposed of safely in the future as well. Besides discharge into the Werra river, particularly more concentrated saline waters were injected into deep rock formations in the past - a form of disposal that is common worldwide in the potash industry and had been practiced in the Werra valley since 1925. Since the mid-2010s, K+S has committed to gradually reducing injection and completely discontinuing it by end-2021. Along with further measures to reduce saline wastewater, this was an important component of the planning of the Weser River Basin Community (FGG Weser) in the 2015-2021 river management period, which has been successfully implemented. The volume of wastewater injected was also further reduced as part of corresponding agreements with Werra municipalities and environmental associations. The additional savings of 1 M cu m of saline wastewater in the injection process by end-2021, as stipulated in a settlement with BUND, were already achieved in Apr 2020, with the total amount saved in the injection process actually amounting to around 1.4 M cu m. Now the injection will finally end. New disposal methods are needed for achieving these ambitious targets without injection. The cornerstone of the new disposal concept is the storage of highly concentrated salt water in the Springen mine field, for which the approval process is currently underway. Original source: K+S, website: http://www.k-plus-s.com/, Copyright K+S Aktiengesellschaft 2021., waste emissions and pollution; mineral products; potassium fertilizers; sodium chloride; waste water; [...]

As announced in the press release, 'AGC to Integrate and Reorganize the 3 Chlor-Alkali Companies in Thailand and CLMV Markets' dated 19 Mar 2021, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC) submitted on 21 Dec 2021 the documents to implement the tender offer (hereinafter the 'Tender Offer') for the common shares of Vinythai Public Company Limited (VNT) to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The Tender Offer will be conducted by GC to acquire common shares of VNT (16.24% of VNT's outstanding shares excluding those held by AGC and GC) at a price of Baht 39.00/share during the Tender Offer period from 22 Dec 2021 to 25 Feb 2022, with detailed terms and conditions to be included in the disclosure documents under laws of Thailand. As announced on 19 Mar 2021, AGC will not tender its shares in the Tender Offer by GC. The shareholders meeting of VNT held on 27 Apr 2021 has approved the delisting of the company's securities from the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The delisting of VNT is under the condition that GC will have completed the Tender Offer. Based on the fact that this Reorganization is taking place among AGC's consolidated subsidiaries, AGC believes that the impact on its consolidated business results will be minimal. The AGC Group aims to expand its chlor-alkali chemicals business in Southeast Asia as one of the priority businesses of the AGC plus 2.0 management policy. Through the integration and reorganization of the three chlor-alkali business companies in the Indochina Peninsula and the establishment of NewCo, AGC aims to strengthen the foundations of this business in the region and achieve further growth. The outline of NewCo will be disclosed as soon as it is determined. A table shows the company overview of VNT as of 21 Dec 2021. Original source: AGC Asahi Glass, website: http://www.agc.com. Copyright Asahi Glass Co Ltd 2021., company structure; mergers and acquisitions; chlor-alkalis; AGC Group; NewCo; PTT Global Chemical Public (GC); Vinythai Public [...]

On 12 Jul 2021, Sasol announced that it had entered into a transaction with Draslovka, a Czech Republic-based speciality chemicals company, for the sale of Sasol's sodium cyanide business. A key condition precedent to this sale is the Competition Commission's (Commission) approval of the transaction. On 26 Nov 2021, being the final day of the prescribed merger review period, the Commission issued a decision prohibiting the transaction. The Commission based its decision on pricing effects which had been raised and dealt with by the Commission at an earlier stage in the review process. Both Sasol and Draslovka (the parties) had engaged with the Commission throughout the review process and the pricing effects issue was fully evaluated by the Commission during these engagements. The prohibition of the transaction was therefore unexpected. The parties remain of the conviction that the transaction is in the interest of the cyanide business operations, its employees and importantly, South African customers - given that it is anticipated that Draslovka will contribute to the cyanide business operations and enhance its competitiveness. In this regard, Draslovka is a specialist cyanide producer, with world-leading technology. Its plans for the business include expansion and capital investment, which will bring a number of significant benefits to the country - including significant foreign investment, employment, economic upliftment and long-term stability of supply for the mining industry. Furthermore, the parties are of the view that the Commission's decision does not take the full circumstances and the interests of stakeholders and customers properly into account. Notably, the pricing effects issue was raised again only on the day that the decision was due to be issued, and therefore afforded the parties very limited time to engage the Commission. Sasol is considering its options in light of the decision, including a reconsideration before the Competition Tribunal. Until this matter is resolved, Sasol will continue to manage the business safely to provide stable supply of cyanide to customers; and all employees of the cyanide business will remain Sasol employees. Original source: SASOL, website: http://www.sasol.com, Copyright SASOL 2021., mergers and acquisitions; regulations and rulings; sodium cyanide; Draslovka; [...]

Safety will always be at the top of Euro Chlor's agenda. In 2020, our process incidents and losses remained the same as 2019 with 3.25 incidents/M tonnes of chlorine production. This translates, in absolute numbers, to 30 process incidents. Since these figures do not yet correspond to our vision of zero incidents, Euro Chlor and its members are continuously trying to find new ways to reach this vision. One such initiative is a new safety training programme launched in 2021, to be continued in the coming years. Another will be launch of an interactive safety game expected by early 2020. A graph shows the process incidents and losses from 2001 to 2020, expressed in number of incidents per million tonnes chlorine produced. A bar graph shows the incident reporting including the number of incident reports and number of process incidents from 2011 to 2020. Original Source: Euro Chlor, http://www.eurochlor.org/, Copyright Euro Chlor 2021., health and safety; production process; [...]

A graph shows a slight increase in the percentage of chlorine transported via road or rail (from 4.3% in 2019 to 4.8% in 2020). This can be explained by an increase in participating companies in 2020. More specifically, the extra companies that took part in this year's reporting exercise have higher transportation rates. Again, we are pleased to note that no transport incidents (with chlorine) were reported in 2020. Original Source: Euro Chlor, http://www.eurochlor.org/, Copyright Euro Chlor 2021., distribution; [...]

Euro Chlor produces some 270,000 tonnes/y of hydrogen on average. Even though it is our ambition for 2030 to use 100% of this, currently we do not. This year, hydrogen utilization even decreased from 89.1% in 2019 to 82.3% in 2020, which is the lowest figure in 19 years. This may be explained by less stable production levels, making it more difficult to utilize the hydrogen outlet. A graph shows the rate of hydrogen use in chlorine production from 2001 to 2020. Original Source: Euro Chlor, http://www.eurochlor.org/, Copyright Euro Chlor 2021., market; production level; production process; chlorine; [...]

Olin Corporation announced on 1 Jul 2021 that it has entered into an agreement with ASHTA Chemicals Inc to purchase and sell the chlorine produced at ASHTA's Ashtabula (Ohio, US) facility. Existing contracts will be honoured for chlorine customers of both companies. ASHTA Chemicals Inc is a leading manufacturer of potassium hydroxide (KOH) with headquarters and production facilities in Ashtabula, OH, US. Original source: Olin, website: https://www.olin.com/, Copyright Olin Corporation 2021., sales agreement; chlorine; ASHTA Chemicals; [...]