Recent developments
Industrial heat and hydrogen
The European Commission finalized a €1 billion pilot auction for industrial process heat decarbonisation. At refinery scale, the MultiPLHY project started up the world's largest multi‑megawatt high‑temperature electrolyzer in Rotterdam. Industry plans include OMV’s SAF/HVO plant and green hydrogen production by 2028. In pulp and packaging, The Navigator Company secured EIB financing to implement low‑carbon technologies at Portuguese sites.
Low‑carbon fuels
Repsol began industrial‑scale production of 100% renewable gasoline at Tarragona for drop‑in use. In shipping, Sumitomo will demonstrate ammonia bunkering in Singapore by 2027. For gaseous fuels, Uniper signed a seven‑year agreement for biomethane from Spanish plants to support road and maritime decarbonisation.
Circularity advances
Eni initiated approvals to convert the Priolo site into a biorefinery and chemical recycling plant using Ecofining and Hoop pyrolysis. Plastic Energy commercialized TACFILLER as a sustainable alternative to carbon black with sharply lower emissions. The Inovyn Awards recognized ARCUS Pyrolysis Technology for PVC‑containing waste. Chemetall introduced Gardolene D, a chromium‑ and fluoride‑free copper‑foil passivation aligned with EU Battery Regulation.
Water and methane
Solvay’s Santo André plant achieved a 94% water reuse rate using ZeeWeed MBR in a closed loop. Toray launched the TLF‑400ULD reverse osmosis membrane to cut energy and cleaning needs in reuse. At Dombasle, Solvay is piloting the IUCN RHINO approach alongside its e.Solvay process. TotalEnergies and Veolia agreed to reduce methane emissions from landfills and freshwater withdrawals. In pulp chemicals, Peróxidos do Brasil will build a myH₂O₂ satellite hydrogen peroxide plant at Arauco’s new mill to cut logistics emissions.
Grid and materials
Borealis is expanding advanced XLPE grades for high‑ and extra‑high voltage cable systems critical to grid reinforcement. BASF added dispersion capacity in Türkiye using the Mass Balance approach and green power. ENGEL acquired Trexel to integrate MuCell microcellular foaming technology for lightweighting and material efficiency.
Policy and market stress
INEOS will shut down two production units in Rheinberg due to energy, carbon, and trade pressures. In the UK, it warned that without trade defense the switch from natural gas to hydrogen at the Hull site will not offset import‑driven pressure. Company leadership urged EU politicians to act to save the chemical industry amid declining output and investment.