wiredInUSA July 2019

Biomass plant

Russian plasticizer plant

Image: Sibur

Photo by Valeriy Andrushko on Unsplash

A commissioning ceremony for Sibur’s new production facility was held in May at the company’s site in Perm, Russia. The new facility is said to be the single largest production site in Europe for the eco- friendly plasticizer dioctyl terephthalate plasticizer (DOTP). The new plant was designed and engineered by NIPIgas, a Russian research center for facility design and construction, and key suppliers to the project were also Russian. DOTP is a key component in cable compounds and automotive coatings, ensuring their plasticity and providing enhanced durability, and wear and cold resistance. Unlike phthalate plasticizers, DOTP complies to the highest European and international environmental standards. DOTP is a new product for the Russian market and, said Dmitry Konov, chairman of the management board of Sibur Holding, among key import substitution projects in Russia’s petrochemical industry. The new facility will not only cover the needs of the domestic market (estimated at 60 kilotonnes per annum) but will also contribute to non-commodity, non-energy exports to Europe and other regions.

Abengoa has been selected by Arauco, a Chilean producer of cellulose and wood derivatives, for the development of a new transmission project. The award includes the construction of a 220kV transmission line and two substations to connect a biomass-fueled generation plant, owned by Arauco, to the National Electric System (SEN) through the Lagunillas substation, the property of the Chilean transmission company Transelec. The works are part of a modernization and expansion project of the Arauco plant (calledMAPA–ModernizacionyAmpliacion de la Planta Arauco), which includes the expansion of two plants owned by Arauco, one for cellulose and another for the generation of electricity from biomass. This second plant will generate enough energy to be self-sufficient and any surplus will be provided to the National Electric System.

wiredInUSA - July 2019

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