Chemelot’s ambition is to develop into the leading chemical cluster, fully sustainable and using renewable, non-fossil raw materials and energy. To this end, companies at Chemelot are investing in existing and new plants. To achieve this ambition, the infrastructure on the site must grow with it. Circle Infra Partners, as the owner of the infrastructure assets at Chemelot, aims to play a leading role by aligning strategic projects and financing with the needs of companies on the site. The recent realization of the new loading facility at Port of Chemelot, with AnQore as its first user, confirms Circle Infra Partners’ commitment.
Port as pivot in future-proof infrastructure
The companies at Chemelot have great ambitions in terms of sustainability and efficiency. Achieving these goals, requires adjustments to the infrastructure at the site. The infrastructure at Chemelot- consisting of rail lines, pipelines, sewer systems and roads, among others-forms the basis for the safe and efficient operations at the site. Port of Chemelot (the port on the Juliana Canal in Stein) is also part of this and plays a crucial role in making Chemelot more sustainable and the sustainable logistics required.
“The infrastructure in the port is fragmented, ownership is divided among various parties and there was no common vision for the future, linked to the ambitions of the site. This is why Chemelot, Circle Infra Partners, dsm-firmenich and Wessem Port Services joined forces and formed a consortium to develop an area vision. With this, Port of Chemelot is contributing to a sustainable Chemelot with relevant infrastructure and solutions for the supply of circular raw materials. In forming this vision, safety, embedding in the environment and the Chemelot strategy are central,” says Christian Widdershoven, CEO of Circle Infra Partners.
Aligning Ambitions
Chemelot aims to be the first circular chemistry site in Europe by 2050. In order to achieve this ambition, a resource, energy and water transition is underway. Port of Chemelot plays an important role in the resource transition. “Currently, naphtha and natural gas are still the main raw materials used at Chemelot and enter the site via pipelines. In the context of sustainability, other, circular raw materials are needed, for example from waste streams, and we don’t want to transport them all by road given the social importance,” explains Joep Lemmens, Manager Improve Site Infrastructure at Circle Infra Partners.
Circle Infra Partners takes an active role as a partner in infrastructure, sustainable solutions, both through project development and as an investor. “Infrastructure is our business. We develop, in partnerships, common installations and facilities and own these assets. Our ambition is to develop this port in accordance with the Chemelot strategy and our innovative approach. Port of Chemelot must become a flywheel for making the site more sustainable. The loading facility is an important first project and stepping stone, of which more will follow if it is up to us,” Widdershoven emphasized.
Loading plant for (bio)propylene
The loading facility recently commissioned at the port, with AnQore as its first customer, has the ability to add more users. AnQore makes acrylonitrile (ACN) and Econitrile-MB® and requires (bio-)propylene, among other things. Ensuring the supply of this raw material forced AnQore to look at new supply routes. The best, most sustainable and safe solution appeared to be transporting propylene to Chemelot via the port. For this purpose, a loading facility was built at Port of Chemelot, with an underground pipeline and storage tanks at the on-site plant. “For this, we went looking for a win-win solution with AnQore. We succeeded, also with the help of the CEF (Connecting European Facilities) grant obtained from CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency),” Lemmens explains.
“We are very proud of this first, significant project, which aligns perfectly with Circle Infra Partners’ vision and strategic pillars. We are adding an important asset to our portfolio with this. Moreover, this installation allows AnQore to focus on its core business. Because thanks to this loading facility, the company is assured of a safe and sustainable infrastructure for supplying its raw materials, now and in the future.”
Christian Widdershoven, CEO Circle Infra Partners
“A safe and continuous supply of our basic raw materials is an essential condition for making our products at Chemelot. The new loading facility is therefore also of strategic importance to AnQore, particularly because it will allow us to transport bio-propene to our plant from a variety of external locations now and in the future. As a contribution to the raw materials transition, Circle Infra Partners and AnQore have joined forces to realize this important expansion of the logistics infrastructure together.”
Sjoerd Zuidema, CEO AnQore
CINEA grant
Circle Infra Partners, Chemelot and dsm-firmenich are receiving funding from the European Union (EU) through the Connecting European Facilities (CEF) funding program to develop the port of Chemelot in Stein. Within the Rhombus UPSIDE II project, coordinated by the Province of Limburg, upscaling of the infrastructure of inland ports of Stein, Roermond and two locations in Maastricht is supported. This should strengthen the inland waterway system between the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany and encourage regional sustainable development. One of the most important projects in port development is the new loading facility, which is seen as an important step in the modal shift from road to water.
Circle Infra Partners
Circle Infra Partners manages and optimizes the shared infrastructure at Chemelot. With broad expertise, years of experience and innovative strength, the company supports the chemical industry in its transition to a sustainable future. Circle Infra Partners ensures that plant owners can focus on their core business and take full advantage of site synergy.
Working closely with various partners, Circle Infra Partners provides infrastructure research, procurement and management. It does this for various logistics activities including common infrastructure, pipeline infrastructure, rail and road transport, on-site storage of tank containers in compliance with BRZO regulations and facilities in Port of Chemelot. Within Circle Infra Partners, a focus on safety, health and the environment is central to all our activities.
AnQore
AnQore has been an innovative supplier of high-quality raw materials for more than 50 years. The experienced team of professionals focuses on the sustainable, safe and secure supply of acrylonitrile in particular. AnQore is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and becoming carbon neutral sooner than 2050. Therefore, AnQore provides long-term opportunities for its people and remains a long-term and reliable partner for everyone who works with the company.