Behind every high-performance lithium-ion battery (LIB) is a carefully engineered anode made of carbon. But how exactly is this material produced — and what role do petroleum byproducts play in its journey from raw feedstock to finished anode?
This post takes you behind the scenes of the anode production process, spotlighting key materials like calcined…
From smartphones to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, batteries are the silent enablers of our daily lives. Their importance will only grow: by 2030, global demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is expected to grow more than fivefold, driven primarily by EV adoption and grid-scale energy storage solutions (IEA, 2023). But what powers the battery,…
Biogas and its upgraded form, biomethane, are at the forefront of Europe’s shift toward renewable, circular, and locally produced energy. As decarbonization accelerates, these bio-based gases are becoming key enablers of energy security, agricultural valorization, and industrial transformation.
What is Biogas and Biomethane?
Biogas is produced through anaerobic digestion, a process where microorganisms break down…
First- and Second-Generation Biodiesel & Bionaphtha: Understanding the Differences and Opportunities
As the global energy and chemical sectors pivot toward decarbonization, renewable fuels such as biodiesel and bionaphtha are gaining momentum. But not all renewable fuels are created equal. Here's a breakdown of first-generation and second-generation biodiesel, as well as bionaphtha, highlighting how they are produced and where they are used.
1st Generation Biodiesel (FAME)
Process…
In the heart of the petrochemical industry lies a simple yet powerful concept: carbon chains. From ethylene (C2) to aromatics and longer-chain hydrocarbons, each “C” product serves as a building block for countless everyday materials. Let’s explore the main carbon-based streams that drive global chemical production.
C2 – Ethylene
Source: Produced via steam cracking of…
In the world of carbon materials, the term "coke" has deep industrial roots—originating from metallurgical processes where coal was heated in the absence of oxygen to create metallurgical coke (metcoke). This terminology carried over into the oil refining industry, giving rise to petroleum coke, or petcoke. Types and Abbreviations: Petcoke comes in several forms, the…
High-quality biodiesel starts with high-quality feedstock. To meet international standards such as EN 14214 (EU) or ASTM D6751 (US), biodiesel must comply with strict chemical and physical parameters that ultimately trace back to the composition of the oils or fats used in production. Let’s explore four critical parameters that shape both biodiesel quality and the…