ABT launches new bio-ECH brand EPINITY™

This is an excerpt from this month’s bio-based epichlorohydrin (ECH) coverage on Tecnon OrbiChem’s Bio-Materials report.

Advanced Biochemical Thailand (ABT) launched its new product brand EPINITY™ for its glycerine-based ECH to position the product’s unique value proposition and sustainability benefits. ABT pioneered the large-scale production of glycerine-based ECH worldwide using the EPICEROL® process 10 years ago, starting with a 100 ktpa plant in Map Ta Phut, Rayong, Thailand. ABT expanded the capacity to 120 ktpa in 2020. According to ABT in an interview with Tecnon OrbiChem, EPINITY™ is competitively priced and reportedly affordable in global markets. EPINITY™ is 100% bio-based carbon content certified by the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) BioPreferred program. It is also certified by the Roundtable of Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) for sustainable operations and by the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) for its feedstock sourcing.

EPINITY™ is mainly used as a precursor to epoxy resins with uses in protective coatings, electronic components, adhesives and advanced composite materials. Other applications include paper and water treatment chemicals, mild surfactants in personal care and fine chemicals applications. The interest in bio-based ECH has been increasing over the past few years, according to ABT, as more companies have committed to carbon reduction targets and/or net-zero goals. ABT expects the demand for bio-based ECH to grow faster than the average chemicals consumption, which tends to be at the same pace as global GDP growth.

Although glycerine prices have now been coming down, glycerine-based ECH prices worldwide have been affected due to tight global glycerine supply during the pandemic. The fact that ABT is located in Southeast Asia, which is the main source of the world’s glycerine supply, and because of its long experience in this market, the company said it has been able to manage the supply and global volatility of glycerine prices within the past two years.  Glycerine supply in Thailand, in particular, has been changing according to the country’s biodiesel mandate. There were fluctuations over the past two years due to a sudden drop in biodiesel demand during Thailand’s COVID-19 lockdown. The biofuels mandate has been reduced to B5 since February 2022 because of the high crude palm oil (CPO) price and lower CPO stock.

ABT is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGC Vinythai Public Company Limited, which produces caustic soda, PVC and other chemicals at multiple sites in Thailand. AGC Vinythai Public Company Limited is part of AGC Inc. (Japan). On 1^st July 2022, Vinythai Public Company Limited was amalgamated with AGC Chemicals (Thailand) Company Limited and established the new company called AGC Vinythai Public Company Limited (“AGC Vinythai”). From 1^st July 2022, ABT is now owned by AGC Vinythai.