Experts discuss game changing advances and breakthrough merchandise in specialty chemical compounds & high-performance polymers
The specialty chemical substances and excessive-overall performance materials sectors are redefining the limits of innovation, bringing transformational solutions to a some of the world’s most urgent demanding situations. As these industries persist to innovate, their commitment to sustainability, collaboration, and current technology ensures that they’ll continue to be pivotal in designing the future.
In this context, the primary experts from petrochemical industry shared the brand new trends at the fourth consultation of fourth edition of PetroChem Summit 2024 titled ‘New Products, invention in Specialty Chemicals and High-Performance Materials’ prepared by way of the Indian Chemical News in New Delhi on December 18, 2024.
The consultation was moderated by Prashant Vasisht, Sr. VP and Co-Group Head Corporate Ratings, ICRA Ltd. Sharing the today’s developments, Vasisht informed, “Specialty chemicals is a completely thrilling field and there is a lot of interest because of two reasons. One is that the funding are not as excessive as the large petrochemicals in which a single plant is really worth tens of thousands of crores.
Secondly, there is lots of area where you can face off with China and at least not being pushed out of business. We are noticing compressed margins for the ordinary commodity products of the petrochemical cycle. Industry principles are moving due to the latest technologies consisting of green chemistry, nanotechnologies, biotechnologies and nanotechnologies.
Enterprises are searching at decreasing the greenhouse gases and we are looking at developing adoption of EVs, solar panels and different sustainable alternatives along with biodegradable plastics, and excessive-overall performance polymers.”
Dr K. Nagaiah, Chief Scientist, CSIR – Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad stated, “Most of the specialty chemical substances are tough to manufacture highbrow property and patent prices are embraced. Indian government have to regulate the licensing expenses and inspire R&D with for the industry. We ought to develop more additives, surfactant and other products in India to lessen the dependency on China.
“We ought to grow bio-based chemical substances and indigenous production of raw material in order that we are able to develop cost competitiveness. There are MNCs which are outsourcing the producing in India after which advertising it to us only. Indian industry and academia want to collaborate to broaden options in India. The guide from state governments is demanded for such an exercise. We have good abilities and manpower and this is why we are getting a lot of ventures from other countries. The education in chemistry is no longer appealing among the students and that demand to alternate.
“We claim good colleges for teaching programs, second is infrastructure and state help are wanted. State and central governments ought to collaborate. The government has to additionally inspire the talent development. Another thing is infrastructure that claims to be built. Focus on technology is good however traditional way of chemistry cannot be left out. While Artificial Intelligence is essential, however it is not a solution for drug discovery. Rather growing an ecosystem is required as it is lacking and demand a collective effort from stakeholders together with organic chemists, pharmacologists, toxicologists and analysts.”
Alakesh Ghosh, Manager – Technical Marketing, HMEL stated, “A lot of growth have came about in polyolefin section. For instance, the polyolefin merchandise have been changed over a time period. Previously the chemical was packed in 200 liter barrels as in step with the marketplace demands. People have moved from tin containers to L- shaped plastic drum. Earlier it used to be tender and with lower strength. For good strength, the bigger molecule has been created and for that the technology has been changed as earliest it utilized once produced from single loop system and now it’s being created through evolved technology.
“Second instance us that in households, we usually use plastic materials that is made of random polypropylene that doesn’t have strength. To defeat that ferimzone technology can manufacture excessive strength polypropylene.
“Similarly in case of HDP product quite a few adjustments have been performed to the molecular structure. Another instance is water management. For good water conservation, earlier PE 100 pipe utilized and now PE 112 pipe is being used. Going ahead, PE 117 pipe is underneath expansion. A lot of futuristic products are being grew. In terms of futuristic materials, catalysts and additives play a key role in high overall performance polymers or any material. Unfortunately, no longer all are good for human health, and we must use them wisely. Polypropylene is being produced using of the phthalate catalyst.
“In terms of global trends, there is a focus on transferring to non-phthalate catalysts and are different options getting used at our facility we are shifting in the direction of phthalate free catalysts which are much safer for use in food items. Another example is of the medical devices that have been in advance being sterilized by using the ethylene oxide sterilization technique.
“Now the sterilization of medical packaging has moved to gamma sterilization. A lot of new generation catalysts and additives are being improved on the way to promote the toxicity unfastened merchandise.”
Dr. Gurmeet Singh, Deputy General Manager – Petrochemical & Polymer, IOCL stated, “Most of the industry has introduced their net zero aims and enterprises are centered on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. And currently all the enterprises may have the option of Scope 3 as well. For reaching the same, we have to search for carbon sources beyond fossil fuels be it crude oil being imported recently. From R&D viewpoint, enterprises are searching at alternatives to move past old carbon and exploring bio-primarily based molecules or Co2.
“For instance, we are building a 3G plant at our Panipat refinery in which we are searching at manufacturing ethanol from CO2 that is another feedstock for our subsequent generation gas. Such technologies are being envolved throughout the spectrum. There are many ventures at lab scale. Before beginning a new venture, we ask ourselves about sustainability of the product and whether it will maintain promise after a decade. Such promising ventures are going on no longer just at IOCL however at other groups as well.
“There are many companies which might be working on recycling of waste materials. IOCL is already into mechanical recycling that entails the collection of waste which involves polyolefins, polypropylene and polyethylene and after segregation we are making pellets for end users.
“Next is chemical recycling that entails recycling of end of the life plastic material that cannot be remolded, to chemicals. We are trying to replace the waste containing polymers into feedstock. As it is a carbon economy, we are seeking to source the carbon in a sustainable way, it’ll assist us in meeting met zero objectives and Scope 3 emission targets. Once enterprises like IOCL get included, the things get extra streamlined and manufacturers in addition to segregators turn out to be part of the value chain, ensuring excellent product for end-customers as well. We are working from commercial viewpoint in addition to R&D and integration of the value chain viewpoint.”
The PetroChem Summit 2024 themed ‘Identifying New Opportunities For Value Creation’ turned into supported by way of the industry associations along with Alkali Manufacturers Association of India (AMAI) and Chemicals & Petrochemicals Manufacturers’ Association (CPMA). The Platinum Sponsor become Somaiya Vidyavihar University and Gold Sponsor, Tubacex Group.
