Todays Latest Updates: 01 July 2026

Biobased chemicals: Germany. Covestro launched Bio4PURConti (Bio-Based Continuous Production for Sustainable Polyurethane Industry), acting as project coordinator of the pioneering EU-funded initiative. The project aims to develop the world’s first continuous production process for bio-based aniline. Aniline is a key raw material for the plastics and chemical industry, notably for MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate), a core building block for polyurethanes. Bio4PURConti aims to take this a step further: instead of the fed-batch method used so far, in which raw materials are added and product harvested in stages, the project targets a continuous fermentation technology for the first time. By using plant-based sugars, e.g. from hardwood biomass, it offers a renewable feedstock pathway. Link 01/07/2026.

Biobased chemicals: United Kingdom Econic Technologies unveiled new polyols technology for high-performance polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) based on captured CO₂. Paint and coatings brands that opt for PUDs made with Econic’s renewable carbon technology can enhance product performance and make bolder environmental claims, while mitigating supply chain risks related to sourcing hydrocarbons. Called polycarbonate ether (PCE) polyols, this new technology creates strong substrate adhesion, durability, and resistance to environmental factors (e.g., UV and water) similar to or better than incumbent technologies. PCE polyols are a direct replacement for polyether polyols, polytetramethylene glycols (PTMEG), and polycarbonate glycol (PC). They are colorless, odorless, and offer the added benefit of allowing formulators to fine-tune properties by adjusting the amount of CO₂ incorporated at the molecular level. Link 01/07/2026.

Biojet/SAF: Singapore. KBR has been selected to provide technology licensing and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) services based on its PureSAF℠ technology for the proposed Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plant being developed by Keppel Ltd.’s (Keppel) Infrastructure Division and Aster Chemicals and Energy (Aster) on Singapore’s Jurong Island. The PureSAF technology was developed by Swedish Biofuels AB, engineered for commercial-scale production by KBR, and exclusively licensed by KBR worldwide. The proposed plant is expected to have a planned production capacity of up to 100,000 tons of SAF per year. Link 01/07/2026.

Hydrogen: Finland. The Future Sustainable Electric Steel Mill (FutSteel) project, led by the University of Oulu and steelmaker SSAB, aims to develop a new steel production chain based on electric arc furnaces (EAF) and modernised hot rolling processes. The technology splits methane into hydrogen and solid carbon using an oxygen-free reaction, which Hycamite claims requires just 6 to 10kWh of energy per kilogramme of hydrogen. solid carbon is needed in EAFs to provide slag foaming to improve energy efficiency and protect electric arcs and furnace refractories. Hycamite’s technology requires, in principle, only about one-eighth of the energy used in electrolysis to produce hydrogen, and much of that energy can be sourced from excess heat generated by the steel plant. Link 01/07/2026.

Methanol: Australia. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Australia-based Gold Hydrogen to jointly assess the feasibility of green methanol production on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. Gold Hydrogen is advancing the Ramsay Project, which aims to pursue the commercial extraction of natural hydrogen and helium resources discovered underground in South Australia. With a view to the future commercialization of natural hydrogen and helium development project and the potential expansion into a green methanol business utilizing natural hydrogen, MGC has made an equity investment in Gold Hydrogen. Link 01/07/2026.