Vietnam's Long Son Petrochemical (LSP) has achieved on-specification olefins production at its new mixed-feed cracker in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, south Vietnam. The cracker can be fed naphtha or propane to a 30pc and 70pc ratio in either direction, and can produce 950,000 t/yr of ethylene, 400,000 t/yr of propylene and 100,000 t/yr of butadiene. LSP is ramping up cracker run rates following the unit's start-up.
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Viewpoint: Japan's hybrid EV use keeps gasoline in mix
Viewpoint: Japan's hybrid EV use keeps gasoline in mix
Tokyo, 18 December (Argus) — Japan's gasoline consumption will continue falling because of its decarbonisation drive, but the country's gasoline consumption is unlikely to reach zero as gasoline-powered cars and hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles (HEVs) account for a vast majority of newly registered passenger cars. Japan's gasoline sales declined at least over 2016-24, with the exception of a slight year-on-year increase of 0.03pc in 2022, data from the Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ) show. The country's gasoline sales totalled 330mn bl (904,100 b/d) in 2016, falling to below 280mn bl (767,100 b/d) in 2024. The country's transport sector accounted for 19.2pc of total CO2 emissions in the April 2023-March 2024 fiscal year, according to Japan's environment ministry. Half of the transport sector's CO2 emissions came from gasoline in the 2023-24 fiscal year. Tokyo renewed its global warming countermeasures plan in February 2025, which reiterated its target of having all new car sales be "electrified vehicles" by 2035 and to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions through the vehicle lifecycle by 2050, in efforts to abate emissions. But these "electrified vehicles" do not only refer to fully electric-powered EVs nor fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) but also include gasoline-consuming HEVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). This means that Japanese passenger car owners will likely remain dependent on gasoline, even as gasoline consumption declines, given that Japan's preference for hybrids is likely to sustain its momentum for the foreseeable future. The country's gasoline requirement will fall by 2.4pc to 260mn bl (712,300 b/d) in the April 2026-March 2027 fiscal year, compared with the 2025-26 level, based on Japan's trade and industry ministry Meti's outlook. This downtrend is expected to continue by declines of 2.1-2.5 pc/yr at least until 2029-30, largely because of higher fuel efficiency and wider use of HEVs, Meti said. The number of newly registered passenger cars, including imported cars, totalled slightly below 2.4mn units over January-November 2025, data from the Japan Automobile Dealers Association (JADA) show. Out of this total, gasoline-consuming HEVs accounted for 60pc, and gasoline cars hold a 32pc share. Gasoline-powered cars and HEVs have jointly accounted for around 90pc at least since 2020. The share of HEVs in newly registered cars has also grown consistently every year, from 37.1pc in 2020 to 61.1pc in 2024, mostly replacing the share of gasoline cars, while the share of EVs has stalled at 0.6-1.7pc of the total of registered units every year over the same period, data from the JADA show. "The hybrid trend is likely to remain strong going forward. Compared with the time when it seemed the global shift to EVs would happen decisively and rapidly, the momentum now appears to have slowed somewhat," Japan's trade and industry minister Ryosei Akazawa said at an interview with reporters, including Argus , in October. The shift towards EVs has not been as strong as expected, which could have benefited gasoline car makers. But US tariffs on Japanese automobiles likely eroded the profitability of Japanese automakers, with 15pc of their domestic car output exported to the US in 2024, according to Meti. The US tariff rate was lowered to 15pc from 27.5pc in September, but is still far higher than 2.5pc, the rate before US president Donald Trump's additional 25pc automobile tariff took effect in April. To support Japanese automakers given the challenging tariff environment, Tokyo could freeze its environmental performance tax — a levy of 0-3pc — imposed on car owners at the point of acquisition depending on automobile features, such as fuel efficiency. This move could pave the way for gasoline-powered vehicles to regain momentum or pose obstacles to the expansion of EV cars' market share in the coming years. By Kohei Yamamoto Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US House clears hurdle to pass permitting bill
US House clears hurdle to pass permitting bill
Washington, 16 December (Argus) — Republicans in the US House of Representatives have overcome an initial obstacle to passing a marquee permitting overhaul bill after committing to vote on key amendments that would strip out potential benefits for offshore wind. Republicans in the House voted 215-209 in a vote on Tuesday to approve a rule that will dictate the terms of debate for votes later this week on the SPEED Act, which has become the focus of bipartisan efforts to fast-track the permitting process for pipelines, electric transmission lines, railroads and other infrastructure. A group of far-right conservatives initially voted against the rule, but most reversed course during the vote in exchange for revisions that have yet to be made public. The Tuesday vote was one of the last remaining hurdles to House passage of the SPEED Act, which is expected to pick up some Democratic votes when it comes up for a final vote later this week. The House majority typically is responsible for putting up all the votes for a rule, meaning it would only take a few Republicans to block bill debate. Republicans were uncertain they would have enough votes for the rule, as far-right conservatives such as US representative Andy Harris (R-Maryland) and others were lobbying for changes. On Monday, US representative August Pfluger (R-Texas) urged attendees of a conference to put as "much effort as you possibly can" into persuading wavering Republicans to support the permitting bill. Pfluger is the chair of the Republican Study Commission, a caucus that represents a majority of House Republicans. "Go talk to them and let them know how important this is," Pfluger said during an event organized by the think tank the Conservative Coalition for Climate Solutions. Ahead of the vote, an industry coalition on Tuesday released a joint letter offering "strong support" for the bill. Among the signatories were the American Petroleum Institute, the US Chamber of Commerce, the Association of American Railroads and the US LNG Association. President Donald Trump has yet to take an explicit position on the SPEED Act, but administration officials are optimistic permitting legislation could be enacted. "I think we are at a time where the chance of a real permitting reform bill is higher maybe than it's ever been," US energy secretary Chris Wright said at the event on Monday. The SPEED Act would focus on the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a decades-old law that requires federal agencies to prepare environmental reviews of infrastructure projects. Pipeline companies and renewable energy developers alike blame the law for costly delays, both because of the time it takes for agencies to issue reviews and then the risks that permits will be thrown out because of lawsuits. The bill would narrow the scope of environmental reviews, aligning with a unanimous US Supreme Court ruling this summer. But the bill's most significant changes would make permits more durable. Even if a court found a NEPA review was flawed, the bill would keep permits intact during further analysis. And in a last-minute change, the bill would offer more permit "certainty" by limiting the government's ability to rescind prior approvals. That could protect pipeline permits such as the now-canceled Keystone XL pipeline, while also stopping Trump from halting more offshore wind projects. But the permit certainty language drew concern from far-right conservatives who oppose offshore wind. House Republicans in response agreed to vote on an amendment sponsored by Harris and others that would remove the "permit certainty" changes. Two other amendment votes also backed by Harris would stop expedited permitting treatment in the SPEED Act for offshore wind or any project that Trump has sought to block. Passage of those amendments could cost some Democratic support for the bill. Even if the bill passes, it is expected to be subject to major changes in the US Senate to attract enough support from Democrats to prevent a filibuster. Senate Democrats are hoping to insert language that would prevent what they describe as a "solar ban" being enforced by the Trump administration. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
EU-Kommission möchte Verbrenner-Aus abschwächen
EU-Kommission möchte Verbrenner-Aus abschwächen
Hamburg, 16 December (Argus) — Die Europäische Kommission hat einen neuen Vorschlag für eine Reduzierung der Flottenemissionen von Pkw um 90 % bis 2035 vorgelegt. Damit ersetzt sie das zuvor vereinbarte Ziel von 100 %, das faktisch das Aus für Fahrzeuge mit Verbrennungsmotor bedeutet hätte. Der Plan würde erlauben, dass einige Fahrzeuge mit Verbrennungsmotor auch nach 2035 weiter genutzt werden dürfen — neben Plug-in-Hybriden, Reichweitenverlängerern und Mild-Hybriden sowie Elektro- und Wasserstoffautos. Die verbleibenden 10 % der Emissionen müssten laut Kommission durch den Einsatz von CO2-armen Stahl, eFuels oder Biokraftstoffen ausgeglichen werden. Die Vorschläge müssen sowohl vom Europäischen Parlament als auch von den EU-Mitgliedstaaten mehrheitlich angenommen werden. Automobilhersteller könnten dann zwischen 2030 und 2032 Emissionsgutschriften "ansparen und ausleihen", um das bestehende Ziel einer 55 %igen Reduzierung gegenüber 2021 zu erreichen. Nach den neuen Vorschlägen müssten Hersteller, die diese Möglichkeiten nutzen, nur eine durchschnittliche Reduzierung von 40 % erreichen — statt der bisher geplanten 50 %. Die Kommission erklärte, dass Gutschriften für Treibhausgaseinsparungen durch eFuels und Biokraftstoffe bis zu 3 % der Ziele für 2035 ausgleichen können, während Gutschriften für CO2-armen Stahl weitere 7 % kompensieren dürfen. Verkehrskommissar Apostolos Tzitzikostas sagte, das Gutschriftensystem werde die Nutzung nachhaltiger Kraftstoffe fördern: "Dies ist ein klares Signal, dass auch andere Technologien als batterieelektrische Fahrzeuge (BEV) nach 2035 auf den Markt gebracht werden können." Erweiterte Kriterien für CO2-Neutralität würden es ermöglichen, dass nachhaltige Biokraftstoffe zur Erreichung der derzeit ab 2035 geforderten 0 g/km beitragen. Der europäische Interessenverband für erneuerbares Ethanol ePure erklärte, dass die Emissionen von Ethanol im Jahr 2024 um 79 % niedriger lagen als bei fossilen Brennstoffen – wie bereits in den Vorjahren. Der Europäische Biodieselverband setzt Einsparungen von 77 bis 81 % für Biodiesel an, basierend auf dem offiziellen Vergleichswert für fossile Brennstoffe von 94 g CO2e/MJ. Der deutsche Europaabgeordnete Peter Liese kritisierte das ursprüngliche Verbot von Verbrennungsmotoren, sagte jedoch, die Probleme der Industrie seien auf Marktveränderungen zurückzuführen, nicht auf Brüssel. "Die Industrie muss aufhören, Brüssel für ihre eigenen Fehler und für Marktentwicklungen, etwa in China, verantwortlich zu machen", sagte er — und fügte hinzu, dass er sich für die Anerkennung von grünem Stahl vor 2035 einsetzen werde. Von Dafydd ab Iago und Johannes Guhlke Senden Sie Kommentare und fordern Sie weitere Informationen an feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . Alle Rechte vorbehalten.
EU eases ICE phase-out with 2035 CO2 car target: Update
EU eases ICE phase-out with 2035 CO2 car target: Update
Adds details on credits, transport commissioner comment in paragraphs 4-6 Brussels, 16 December (Argus) — The European Commission has proposed a new 90pc cut in car fleet emissions by 2035, replacing the previously agreed 100pc target that would have effectively phased out the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles from that date The plan would allow some new ICE vehicles to remain on sale beyond 2035, alongside plug-in hybrids, range extenders and mild hybrids, as well as electric and hydrogen cars. The remaining 10pc of emissions would need to be offset through low-carbon steel, e-fuels or biofuels, according to the commission. The proposals need to be adopted by a majority in the European Parliament and among EU states. Automakers could also "bank and borrow" credits between 2030-32 to help meet the existing 2030 target of a 55pc cut from 2021 levels. Under the new proposals, manufacturers using these flexibilities would only need to achieve a 40pc fleet-average reduction, down from a previously planned 50pc. The commission indicated that credits for greenhouse gas (GHG) savings from e-fuels and biofuels can compensate up to 3pc of manufacturers' reference targets for 2035 and low-carbon steel credits can compensate for a further 7pc. Transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said the credit system will boost uptake of sustainable fuels. "This is a clear signal than other technologies than battery electric vehicles (BEV) can be put on the market after 2035," said Tzitzikostas. Expanded carbon-neutral criteria would allow sustainable biofuels to help meet the targets that currently require 0g/km from 2035. EU renewable ethanol group ePure said emissions from ethanol were 79pc lower than fossil fuels in 2024, in line with previous years. The European Biodiesel Board reported savings of 77-81pc for biodiesel, using the official fossil fuel comparator of 94g of CO2e/MJ. German MEP Peter Liese criticised the original ICE ban, but said industry problems stem from market shifts, not from Brussels. "The industry must stop shifting the blame for its own mistakes and for market developments, for example in China, onto Brussels," he said, adding that he will push for green steel recognition before 2035. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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