Asian Markets
October 23, 2018
Chinese Investigation
China commits to enforcement action over CFC11 production reports
13 August, 2018 By Neil Merrett
Letter from the Chinese embassy in the UK has said 19 companies are being investigated over a possible manufacture of gas outlawed under the Montreal protocol
Chinese authorities have said that inspections are underway into the potential illegal production and use of the ozone depleting substance CFC11 in polyurethane (PU) foam insulation following recent media reports.
A recent joint inspection of 19 polyurethane foam producers by central and local government bodies in the country found no trace of the use or sale of CFC11 in 12 of the enterprises investigated, according to a representative from the Chinese embassy in the UK.
The same source said that enforcement action has so far been taken against one company that was found to have CFC11 in composite polyether materials, while six other groups were still under investigation.
Last month, a report by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) campaign group said it had uncovered “widespread and pervasive” use of CFC11 for construction purposes in China. The EIA’s findings were used to raise wider questions over the effectiveness of current monitoring mechanisms for global commitments to curb greenhouse gas use and emissions from functions such as cooling.
EIA is therefore pushing for an immediate clampdown of CFC11 use in China and a detailed review of all existing monitoring and enforcement from global partners.
A letter published in response to the EIA’s findings earlier this month in the Guardian Newspaper from Chinese embassy spokesperson Zeng Rong argued that the country’s government is committed to environmental conventions such as the Montreal protocol. This agreement, first introduced in 1987, outlines required global action on phasing out gasses such as CFCs and HFCs.
China is committed to take action against use of any ozone depleting substances that are not permissible under the Montreal agreement, according to the spokesperson.
The embassy added that local authorities involved in its recent inspections had found two companies based in Liaoning and Henan province that were respectively producing CFC11 and CFC12.
The embassy spokesperson said, “The seized CFCs and raw materials have been confiscated and sealed up, and the local police have filed charges against the enterprises and are hunting down the suspects in the cases.”
“China will continue cracking down on illegal production and use of ODSs and strengthen regulation over relevant industries. Meanwhile, China is willing to further strengthen cooperation with other countries to ensure the effective and continuous implementation of the Montreal protocol.”
https://www.racplus.com/news/china-commits-to-enforcement-action-over-cfc11-production-reports/10034174.article
October 23, 2018
Wanhua TDI Unit in China vs Total Market
Did China’s Position in SEA TDI Market Diminish in H1 2018?
October 23, 2018
Wanhua TDI Unit in China vs Total Market
Did China’s Position in SEA TDI Market Diminish in H1 2018?
October 22, 2018
Covestro Expanding MDI in Shanghai
Covestro plans to expand MDI capacity at Shanghai facility
SHANGHAI—Covestro plans to invest $12 million to expand MDI capacity at its plant in Shanghai where it recently began a second round of assessments into the facility’s environmental impact.
According to the Leverkusen, Germany-based company, annual capacity for MDI at the Shanghai facility will rise by 100,000 metric tons, from 500,000 tons per year to 600,000 tons per year. Its monomer MDI capacity will go up by 50,000 tons to 200,000 tons per year, while its polymeric MDI capacity also will rise by 50,000 tons, to 400,000 tons annually.
The first phase of the expansion will account for 50,000 additional tons of capacity per year, and will extend annual operations from 8,000 hours to 8,760 hours.
Phase two of the expansion will increase capacity by 50,000 tons annually through the upgrade of waste treatment facilities pumps, control valves and heat exchangers. Three tubes will be added to carry monochlorobenzene.
The existing phosgenation production process will not be changed, according to Covestro.
Phase one is scheduled to come on stream by the end of 2018, while phase two is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2020.
The Covestro Integrated Site Shanghai represents the company’s largest investment outside of Germany. In addition to producing polyurethane raw materials, the site manufactures high-grade polycarbonate as well as raw materials for coatings and adhesives.
Globally, Covestro operates 30 sites, including technical centers, manufacturing facilities and an innovation center. It employs about 16,200.
http://www.rubbernews.com/article/20181002/NEWS/181009981/covestro-plans-to-expand-mdi-capacity-at-shanghai-facility
October 22, 2018
Covestro Expanding MDI in Shanghai
Covestro plans to expand MDI capacity at Shanghai facility
SHANGHAI—Covestro plans to invest $12 million to expand MDI capacity at its plant in Shanghai where it recently began a second round of assessments into the facility’s environmental impact.
According to the Leverkusen, Germany-based company, annual capacity for MDI at the Shanghai facility will rise by 100,000 metric tons, from 500,000 tons per year to 600,000 tons per year. Its monomer MDI capacity will go up by 50,000 tons to 200,000 tons per year, while its polymeric MDI capacity also will rise by 50,000 tons, to 400,000 tons annually.
The first phase of the expansion will account for 50,000 additional tons of capacity per year, and will extend annual operations from 8,000 hours to 8,760 hours.
Phase two of the expansion will increase capacity by 50,000 tons annually through the upgrade of waste treatment facilities pumps, control valves and heat exchangers. Three tubes will be added to carry monochlorobenzene.
The existing phosgenation production process will not be changed, according to Covestro.
Phase one is scheduled to come on stream by the end of 2018, while phase two is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2020.
The Covestro Integrated Site Shanghai represents the company’s largest investment outside of Germany. In addition to producing polyurethane raw materials, the site manufactures high-grade polycarbonate as well as raw materials for coatings and adhesives.
Globally, Covestro operates 30 sites, including technical centers, manufacturing facilities and an innovation center. It employs about 16,200.
http://www.rubbernews.com/article/20181002/NEWS/181009981/covestro-plans-to-expand-mdi-capacity-at-shanghai-facility
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