SCI's Daily Digest: your one-stop shop for all of the day's news in science based industry

In today's Daily Digest, it's World Environment Day, collaboration in the carbon dioxide removal industry, 3M's investment to support biotech manufacturing, and more.

Environment

Today, 5th June, is World Environment Day. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the event and it is supported by the government of the Netherlands.

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, which is developing a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, has concluded its second meeting in Paris, France. It now has a mandate to prepare a zero draft of the agreement ahead of the next meeting due to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in November.

Innovation

LyondellBasell is partnering with Technip Energies and Chevron Phillips Chemical to ‘potentially design, construct and operate’ a demonstration unit using Technip Energies electric steam cracking furnace technology. The so called eFurnace by T.EN technology could enable the company to use renewable energy as a heat source for its olefins cracking process in the future, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Dow and New Energy Blue have established a long-term supply agreement in North America, by which New Energy Blue will create bio-based ethylene from agricultural residues. Dow expects to purchase the bio-based ethylene and use in recyclable applications across transportation, footwear and packaging.

3M and Svante are to collaborate to develop Direct Air Capture materials for the carbon dioxide removal industry.

The European Commission has welcomed the introduction of the unitary patent system, which will make it easier for companies to protect their innovation in Europe. The system will mean lower costs and less paperwork, which is particularly advantageous to SMEs. The system will initially cover 17 Member States, others can participate in the future.

Policy

Canada, Mexico and the US are to deepen economic cooperation. Leaders of the three governments used the first North America Semiconductor Conference, held in Washington DC 18-19 May, to share a commitment to work with industry and academia to strengthen the resilience of the North American semiconductor supply chain.

Other news

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation has signed an agreement with KazMunayGaz, the national operator of the oil and gas industry in Kazakhstan, for the development of a polyethylene project in the Atyrau region of the country. The investment decision is expected to be finalised in 2024.

Chemours Company, DuPont and Corteva have reached an agreement in principle to comprehensively resolve all PFAS related drinking water claims of a defined class of public drinking water systems that serve the vast majority of the US population. The companies will collectively establish and contribute a total of $1.185 billion to a settlement fund.

3M is investing $146 million to support biotech manufacturing. The investment will include facility and equipment improvements and the addition of 60 full-time positions in 3M manufacturing facilities in Europe. The investment will speed up the company’s development and delivery of filtration equipment designed for bioprocessing, biological and small molecule pharmaceutical manufacturing applications.

ADNOC is to partner in the production of electrolysers for manufacturing green hydrogen. The products will be sold in the UAE as well as exported. The development is part of the UAE’s ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative to promote local industry and create a favourable environment for investors.

Canada’s government is supporting the production of cathode active materials at a facility being built by GM Motors and POSCO Future M in Quebec. The government is investing more than CAN$600 million in the project. The new facility will lead to the creation of some 200 jobs.