Page 65 - ASPRI2223 eDirectory

DIRECTORY OF SINGAPORE PROCESS & CHEMICALS INDUSTRIES 2022/2023
The plan is focused around two areas – increasing output of sustainable products such as bio-based fuels and chemicals, and enabling sustainable production to reduce carbon emissions and pollution. In announcing the plan on 10 Nov 2021, Minister of Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said, “Our aspiration is for the E&C sector to, first, increase its output of sustainable products by four times from 2019 levels and, second, achieve more than six million tonnes of carbon abatement per annum from low-carbon solutions, all by 2050.”
Shell Singapore’s new pyrolysis oil upgrader in Pulau Bukom is the first project in step with the sustainability ambitions for Jurong Island. Slated to begin operations in 2023, it will process up to 50,000 tonnes per year of pyrolysis oil from converting plastic waste, around 7.8 billion plastic bags.
The investment is part of a plan to transform the Bukom manufacturing site into Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore, similar to other Shell sites in the US, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands, focusing on low-carbon emissions projects. The investment is also in line with Shell Singapore’s target to halve carbon emissions from its own operations by 2030 from 2016 levels on a net basis, as well as wider Shell’s
target to be a net zero emissions energy business by 2050.
Linde, the world’s largest industrial gas company by revenue and market share, is investing US$1.4 billion to expand its existing gasification complex on Jurong Island; integrating it with ExxonMobil’s project to produce and supply additional hydrogen and synthesis gas. Scheduled to come onstream in 2023, the bulk of its initial production will be channelled to support ExxonMobil’s plan to convert fuel oil and other residue crude products into higher-value base stocks for lubricants and distillates. This investment has generated much interest as hydrogen has been identified as expanding its application beyond a feedstock to be a potential fuel of the future.
“Such mega-investments would enable economies of scale and competitive hydrogen solutions for the future. So, stay tuned for more hydrogen solutions from Linde Gas,” said Lawrence Koh, APAC Senior Originator, Hydrogen & Decarbonisation.
Linde Gas Singapore is currently exploring the feasibility and development of building a carbon dioxide liquefaction and storage facility
with Singapore LNG Corp (SLNG), owner, developer and operator of Singapore’s sole LNG terminal. If feasible, the facility will be located adjacent to the SLNG Terminal on Jurong Island and would involve using cold energy from the SLNG terminal’s operations to liquefy the carbon dioxide, which would then be stored in tanks on-site before being exported.
Some PCM companies have also seen the light and have made the energy transition. Cyclect is possibly earlier than most. It recognised the potential of moving towards a cleaner, greener energy future since 2010.
“Many of the markets including the PCM industry was becoming increasingly competitive. We identified climate change and energy scarcity as a potential driver of the future and pivoted to providing solutions that promoted environmental and social sustainability,” said Mr Tan, the third generation of the Tan family who is running Cyclect.
Working with the National University of Singapore, it began research on waste heat recovery after having a flash of inspiration. “I was driving home from Tuas along the AYE, and was admiring the beautiful flare coming from the various stacks on Jurong Island. I was thinking just how much energy was being just dumped without harvesting. That’s what triggered our journey to seek a better way to harness wasted energy,” said Mr Tan.
A research and development (R&D) team was established within the company to undertake research. From recovery of low-grade waste heat, research expanded to clean energy, coal and even robotic sensors. It has published papers and received patents.
Even though it no longer has an in-house R&D team but work with institutes of higher learning, its research capability has raised its
PCM companies make energy transition
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