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Neste to convert refinery for renewables

Neste has completed a strategic study it launched in September 2022 and is now beginning a gradual transformation of its crude oil refinery in Porvoo, Finland, into a “renewable and circular solutions refining hub”. This will take place in phases and is expected to be complete in the mid-2030s at a cost of around €2.5 billion.

EPA prioritises five chemicals

Following a public consultation, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is beginning a 12-month process to prioritise five additional toxic chemicals for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Should they be designated as high priority substances, as expected, risk evaluations will then begin.

Check finds hazardous chemicals in many consumer products

Checks on various consumer products in 26 European Economic Area (EEA) countries found that 18% of them contained excessive levels of hazardous chemicals, ECHA has revealed. This was carried out in late 2022 as an EU-wide enforcement project related to the ECHA Enforcement Forum.

Cepsa implements blockchain system

Spain’s Cepsa Chemicals has just launched a new blockchain-based system that will enable it to track the palm and coconut oil it uses as raw material all to the way to use in its production of biodegradable surfactants. The company had launched NextLAB, the world's first sustainable linear alkylbenzene (LAB), earlier this year.

Court finds against Symrise on animal tests

The EU Court of Justice (CJEU) in Luxembourg has dismissed an action by Symrise to annul a decision by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) board of appeal in 2021. The long-running case related to a required compliance check using animal tests on Symrise’s REACH registration dossier for the UV fillers homosalate and 2-ethylhexyl salicylate.

Climate protests halt Sasol meeting

Protesters effectively prevented Sasol’s annual general meeting in Johannesburg from going ahead on 17 November. The meeting was expected to be tumultuous because of a shareholder’s plan to vote against a number of resolutions because of the company’s record on climate targets.

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