Tech tie-ups: Econic in licensing agreement with Saudi Aramco for C02 polyols; Clariant teams up with Technip for new catalyst for styrene production

 UK renewable carbon firm Econic Technologies says it has signed a global license agreement for rights to Saudi Aramco Technologies Company’s (SATC) CO2 polymer technologies. By incorporating the technology into its existing portfolio, Econic will expand its overall product offering for new and existing customers in coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE) and other market segments.

SATC was among the first companies to introduce CO2 polyols to market with its Converge range. Since the technology’s debut, complementary technologies and sustainability strategies have evolved significantly. Today, manufacturers and brand owners are urgently seeking solutions to ensure competitiveness in the near and long term.

In recent months, Econic has accelerated the commercialisation of its technology in the US, Europe and Asia. The company announced several commercial agreements and MOUs with polyols producers that will manufacture and market polycarbonate ether (PCE) polyols based on captured carbon. Industrial quantities will be available in 2025.

They are responding to consumer demand for higher performing, more sustainable, cost-effective products and mounting reporting and regulatory pressures to lower their carbon emissions. Building on this momentum, Econic adds it now sees fresh opportunities to strategically develop, combine, and position SATC’s CO2 technology to support the strong and growing demand for more sustainable materials.

“At Econic, our market-leading catalytic and process technologies turn carbon dioxide — a readily available, abundant, and affordable source of renewable carbon — into useful, high-performing materials. We see an opportunity to take Aramco’s CO2 polyol technology to its potential, complementing and strengthening our existing offering. With this addition, we are excited to help a broader range of industries improve their products and reduce their carbon emissions”, said Keith Wiggins, CEO of Econic.

In other news, Swiss chemical firm Clariant has launched StyroMax UL-100, which it says is its “most advanced ethylbenzene dehydrogenation catalyst to date”. This catalyst achieves exceptional performance at unprecedented low steam-to-oil ratios (S/O) of 0.76 by weight, setting a new industry benchmark in SM production efficiency, it adds.

The StyroMax UL-100 has been specifically engineered to facilitate ultra-low steam-to-oil operations in styrene plants for drop-in refills into existing units, through revamp and for grass roots projects. Through an alliance with Technip Energies, this catalyst technology will enable plant operators to significantly reduce steam consumption while maintaining optimal production rates.

This breakthrough in catalyst technology addresses the industry's persistent challenge of balancing energy efficiency with production performance. The ability to operate at S/O ratios as low as 0.76 by weight represents a significant advancement over previous catalyst generations of 1.02, offering the potential for substantial energy savings and reduced carbon footprint for styrene producers.

“Our close cooperation with Technip Energies has led to the development of StyroMax UL-100, a breakthrough in styrene catalyst technology," says Gene Mueller, Head of Ethylene and Vice President Business Unit Catalysts Americas at Clariant. "By working hand-in-hand with customers, we've created a solution that not only advances their sustainability initiatives but also enhances their operational efficiency. This innovation is a direct result of listening to customer needs and developing solutions that deliver real value to their business."

Wei Cai, Chief Technology Officer at Technip Energies, commented, "This cooperation with Clariant aligns well with Technip Energies’ commitment to providing cutting-edge and sustainable solutions to our customers. With the StyroMax UL-100 catalyst, our styrene monomer technology offers our clients an unprecedented opportunity to enhance operational performance while reducing energy consumption and lowering GHG emissions, paving the way for a more sustainable operation.” StyroMax UL-100 is available to all Badger -licensed plants, including existing, revamped, and new project units.

For plant operators, StyroMax UL-100 offers:

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