Chemical Industry News, Data & Insights

Biobased & Circular

The latest industry news on green and sustainable chemistry in Europe: investments, new projects, expansion plans and companies working on the decarbonization of the chemical industry.

Recent developments

SAF build-out

SAF deployment progressed in Europe. Neste and World Fuel Services expanded availability at 100+ airports to support ReFuelEU and the UK mandate. In the Netherlands, SkyNRG’s DSL-01 plant reached financial close and started construction, with Technip Energies delivering EPCC. Upstream, the EIA program for its Kuopio site was released by VolagHy; photovoltaic project at the Petrobrazi refinery prepares power for a future SAF/HVO unit.

Circular feedstocks

Circular and bio-based routes saw new projects. Blue Circle Olefins and Chane will co‑site a circular MTO plant converting green methanol to olefins in Rotterdam. Reju’s Regeneration Hub in Lacq will depolymerize textiles to rBHET. In China, NX CONSER MAN and Duetto were licensed for integrated DMS/BDO, while Avantium and Will & Co targeted FDCA adoption in CASE.

BDO and spandex

BASF is increasing BDO production in Ludwigshafen to bolster European supply, including biomass balanced grades for lower PCFs. Downstream, NX CONSER PolyFlex technology for PTMEG enables bio‑THF routes for spandex and elastomers, offering feedstock flexibility.

Low-carbon mobility

The HORSE H12 Concept engine paired with 100% renewable gasoline reported high efficiency and CO2 reductions, alongside Repsol’s industrial‑scale renewable gasoline production. In lubricants, the Neste ReNew line introduced products using renewable or re‑refined base oils to lower reliance on crude‑derived stocks.

Batteries and policy

The SAFELOOP Project advanced closed‑loop EV battery materials via multi‑country collaboration. In policy, INEOS warns Europe’s chemical industry is at risk from high energy and carbon costs, while the European Industry Summit 2026 reported persistent competitiveness and capacity losses across the sector.

Latest trends, product updates, and discussions
Follow us on LinkedIn

New construction vs expansion

Owners & Investors

Top 5 companies involved as owner and/or investor in current and planned Biobased & Circular projects:

TotalEnergies TotalEnergies, Air Liquide Air Liquide, INEOS INEOS, BASF BASF, Moeve Moeve, Repsol Repsol, Eni Eni, Perpetual Next Perpetual Next, Ren-Gas Ren-Gas, and Shell Shell.

Track the chemical industry
Use chemXplore Analytics