Covestro has successfully completed the modernisation of its TDI (Toluene Diisocyanate) plant in Dormagen, Germany. The facility was formally commissioned by Covestro as it unveiled its new goal of boosting production energy efficiency during an event attended by over 60 visitors from the commercial, political and personnel sectors, including Oliver Krischer, North Rhine-Westphalia Environmental Minister.

By using 80 percent less energy than traditional methods, the modernised plant reduces CO2 emissions by 22,000 tonnes annually. This is made possible by a new reactor that is over 20 metres high and weighs more than 150 tonnes. It produces steam using the reaction energy that is created. Covestro began the modernisation process in the summer of 2023. Over 3.5 kilometres of new pipes, over 14 kilometres of cables and hundreds of new pieces of equipment, valves and monitoring devices were placed throughout the facility. Through its federal subsidy programme for energy and resource efficiency, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) has provided assistance for this modernisation.

The company targets a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from energy use per tonne of product by 2030 compared to 2020, underlining energy efficiency as a key component in reaching operational climate neutrality by 2035. With a 300,000-tonne-per-year capacity, the Dormagen TDI facility stands as a shining example of how to successfully convert current manufacturing facilities to be more energy-efficient.

Dr Philip Bahke, Head of the North Rhine-Westphalia Site Network, said, "The successful completion of this project shows that climate protection and competitiveness can go hand in hand. The modernised plant sets new standards in energy efficiency and underlines our path toward climate-neutral production. In light of persistently high energy costs, the project significantly strengthens the competitiveness of TDI production in Europe. My special thanks go to the entire project team, who professionally implemented this complex modernisation during ongoing operations."

Dr Christine Mendoza-Frohn, Head of Sales Performance Materials for the EMEA and LATAM regions, said, "In Dormagen, we operate Europe's largest TDI production plant. With the successful modernisation, we can now offer our customers TDI with an even better carbon footprint. This supports our customers in achieving their own sustainability goals and strengthens our position as a reliable partner for climate-neutral and circular solutions."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Birla Carbon is set to participate in the upcoming Tire Technology Expo 2026, scheduled to take place in Hannover, Germany, from 3 to 5 March 2026. Attendees can find the company at Stand C 224, where it will present its latest innovations in carbon black and sustainable materials. The focus will be on solutions specifically designed to meet the evolving demands of the tyre industry, particularly in enhancing performance while aligning with broader environmental objectives.

The exhibition will serve as a platform to demonstrate how Birla Carbon’s advanced materials contribute to greater tyre durability and fuel efficiency. These developments are especially pertinent for next-generation mobility, including the specific requirements of electric vehicles. The company aims to show tire manufacturers how performance enhancements can be achieved without sacrificing sustainability commitments.

A key theme of their presence will be the strength and agility of their supply network across the EMEA region. By emphasising its robust local manufacturing and distribution framework, Birla Carbon intends to highlight its role as a dependable innovation partner. This infrastructure is built to ensure consistent quality and supply chain resilience, allowing for effective collaboration even in fluctuating market conditions.

Sustainability will be woven throughout the company’s engagement at the expo. Birla Carbon plans to detail its journey towards achieving net zero carbon emissions, spotlighting advancements like its Continua Sustainable Carbonaceous Material (SCM). The widespread ISCC Plus certification across its global manufacturing sites will also be featured, underscoring its commitment to traceable and responsible sourcing practices throughout the value chain.

John Davidson, Chief Sales, Marketing & Sustainability Officer, Birla Carbon, said, “Birla Carbon brings a range of innovative carbon black solutions, backed by its decades of manufacturing leadership, at a time when the industry is focused on maximising tyre performance across diverse mobility requirements. As mobility evolves towards electric and more energy-efficient platforms, carbon black is increasingly becoming a key performance enabler, directly influencing durability, rolling resistance and lifecycle emissions. Tire Technology Expo provides an impactful global platform to demonstrate how our advanced carbon material solutions are engineered for modern mobility and sustainability.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) is advancing Thailand’s agricultural digital transformation through its homegrown platform, the Sri Trang Friends application. Launched in 2019 with the vision of providing a comprehensive digital tool for rubber farmers, the platform has since evolved to serve a broader agricultural community, including palm growers. It is designed to streamline access to information, services and various support mechanisms, creating a direct link between the company, farmers and supply chain participants.

A key recent development is the introduction of the Friends Shop feature and the Friends Point rewards system. This enhancement integrates local merchants from communities nationwide into the application, allowing farmers to conduct convenient transactions while helping to lower their daily expenses. The points accumulated can be used as cash equivalents or exchanged for a wide range of benefits, including essential goods and services, thereby stimulating local economic activity. The platform’s utility has also been extended to Sri Trang Group employees and the general public, who can now earn and redeem points for discounts or payments at participating outlets such as supermarkets, fuel stations and coffee shops. This expansion ensures the app delivers practical, lifestyle-oriented advantages to a wider user base.

According to Executive Director Vitchaphol Sincharoenkul, the application was originally conceived under the concept of ‘One App, Complete Services for Rubber Farmers’ to strengthen farmer engagement, improve coordination efficiency and ensure fully traceable and transparent produce trading. Beyond these operational goals, it also opens new marketing channels for local communities and fosters deeper collaboration across the agricultural value chain. The company is actively broadening its network of partners to diversify the benefits and merchant options available to users.

Currently, the Sri Trang Friends platform has attracted over 150,000 registered users, with more than 40 community merchants across various regions either already onboard or preparing to join. This growth underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging a Thai-developed digital solution to empower modern farmers, reinforce local economies and drive sustainable long-term progress within the nation’s agricultural sector.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd (HSCL) has officially launched commercial production at its new 70,000 metric tonne per annum speciality carbon black line in Mahistikry, West Bengal. This brownfield expansion elevates the company’s total carbon black manufacturing capacity to 250,000 MTPA, with 130,000 MTPA specifically dedicated to speciality grades at this single location. As a result, the Mahistikry facility now holds the distinction of being the largest site in the world for speciality carbon black production.

The development represents a pivotal achievement in the company’s strategic roadmap, solidifying its global standing in the advanced materials sector. By significantly increasing its speciality portfolio, the company is better positioned to meet the rigorous demands of high-value industries such as plastics, inks, paints and coatings. The project integrates cutting-edge process technology with stringent quality controls and energy-efficient systems, ensuring that premium-grade products are consistently delivered to an international client base.

Financially, the new capacity is set to positively influence revenue streams and bolster margins over the coming years. The expanded scale not only enhances operational efficiency and supply chain dependability but also accelerates the company’s ability to innovate and respond to market shifts. As worldwide demand increasingly favours tailored, high-performance carbon solutions, this enhanced infrastructure provides a distinct competitive edge through improved agility and product development capabilities.

Anurag Choudhary, CMD & CEO, Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd, said, “The commencement of commercial operations of our 70,000 MTPA Speciality Carbon Black line at Mahistikry marks the beginning of the next phase of growth in our advanced carbon materials journey. With this expansion, Mahistikry becomes the world’s largest single-location Speciality Carbon Black facility, with a capacity of 130,000 MTPA. This milestone significantly enhances our production capabilities and positions us strongly to capture rising global demand in premium, application-specific segments such as plastics, inks, paints, coatings and other specialised industries. We remain committed to disciplined expansion, operational excellence, sustainability and delivering high-performance solutions that create long-term value for all stakeholders.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Solvay has announced that it will optimise the soda ash production capacity at its Torrelavega site in Spain from 600 kilotonnes to 420 kilotonnes, effective from the third quarter of 2026 and pending the required consultation process. This decision is a direct response to ongoing global oversupply and persistently high energy and carbon costs in Europe.

By optimising its operational level, the company aims to strengthen the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of its remaining production at the facility. The Torrelavega site will continue to serve regional customers by focusing on soda ash and premium sodium bicarbonate, with supply guaranteed through both local operations and Solvay’s global network. Importantly, sodium bicarbonate production will remain unaffected.

This adjustment also supports the company’s commitment to the energy transition, including a major biomass initiative designed to significantly reduce coal usage at the site. As a result of the capacity reduction, a net decrease of up to 77 positions is expected. Solvay is committed to managing this transition responsibly and will engage closely with employee representatives to develop socially supportive solutions and measures for those impacted.

Etienne Galan, President of Solvay Soda Ash & Derivatives, said, “Solvay is taking decisive steps to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of its soda ash operations. Soda ash is critical for essential applications, and Solvay remains firmly committed to the business. We are strategically investing now to cement our competitiveness for decades to come, including the deployment of carbon neutral soda ash processes as part of our energy transition roadmap. At the same time, we urgently need the regulatory framework to align with our industrial reality and the investments that are needed for this transformation.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!