< Previous20 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk PETROCHEMICAL SPOTLIGHT There’s no denying the importance of the renewable energy industry and our overall need to decarbonise to hit climate targets, lower emissions and preserve the planet for future generations. That message is keenly felt across our region, with the east coast, in particular, a world-leading renewables hub. However, transitioning to renewables is exactly that – a transition. It’s a gradual process that strives to replace fossil fuels, rather that flipping a switch from one to another. In the meantime, reliable power generation is still required to avoid blackouts and ensure energy security and in that the petrochemical industry still has an important role to play. Although the industry has been increasingly criticised for its role in rising carbon emissions, the industry can and, in many cases, is being responsibly managed and run, while greater efficiency and innovative technology are helping to curb emissions for a more robust and fit-for-purpose energy mix. Government support alongside ongoing measures to boost efficiency and sustainability are enabling the oil & gas and petrochemical industries to help meet current environmental expectations and carbon emissions levels. Not only is this critical from an environmental perspective but is also necessary in order to sustain long-term growth. A study from the Joint Research Centre found that innovative energy technologies can cut annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 72.5 metric tonnes of CO2, while concurrently supporting the growth of the industry, with a 45.6 per cent increase of production and creating annual energy savings of four per cent. One of the most promising of these approaches is carbon capture and storage (CCS). CCS is one of the main methods for reducing the industry’s carbon impact. It involves removing almost one hundred purpose Fit for The petrochemical industry still has an important role to play as the UK transitions towards a greener, cleaner energy mix. However, the industry needs to update and adapt as East Midlands Business Link explores. 22 Á 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 05/03/2021 15:54 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 21 PETROCHEMICAL SPOTLIGHT © Shutterstock /industryviews 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 05/03/2021 15:54 Page 222 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk PETROCHEMICAL SPOTLIGHT per cent of CO2 at source and storing it underground where it’s prevented from entering the atmosphere. If used in conjuncture with natural gas, CCS produces low-carbon hydrogen which can be used to remove emissions from industrial and domestic heating. However, there are currently only a few dozen CCS projects worldwide, with just seventeen of those fully operational. The fact that so few CSS currently exist is symptomatic of a wider issue, that despite the influx of new options, the industry has many reservations when it comes to change, with companies instead preferring to avoid the risk of new technologies. Even when given the choice of a new emissions-reducing technology, companies still largely revert to well-known and established approaches, such as distillation for olefin- paraffin separation. But this attitude must change with embracing new technologies not only beneficial on the competitive landscape – and often a company’s earnings – but also a boon for the environment. Companies thus need to invest more into their research and development departments to remain competitive. Innovation is still needed to further develop sustainable petrochemical production that, as a method, has lower energy consumption and less emissions like GHGs. Membrane technology is one solution that is growing substantially. This technology is important for improving the efficiency of separating molecules, as the separation method represents approximately forty per cent of the energy used in the industry. In reducing this, one can help address anthropogenic carbon emissions. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a piece of membrane technology that provide a solution for reducing the energy requirements of the petrochemical industry. The porous crystalline polymers are made up of metal nodes linked together by organic ligands. Their porousness allows them to capture molecules efficiently and are fast becoming popular in carbon-capture research. When used with the ENACT method (electrophoretic nuclei assembly for crystallisation of highly-intergrown thin-films), MOFs have been found to be one of the highest performers in separating molecules and can perform propylene-propane separation at ambient temperature, which uses less energy, removing the need for sub-zero temperatures for cryogenic distillation, for example, which has a large footprint. A further option to improve the footprint of the petrochemical sector is the adoption of biomass to create ethanol from renewable sources as a replacement of traditional feedstocks – an approach which would require a complete overhaul of the industry. Many argue that bio-chemicals are prime to 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 05/03/2021 15:54 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 23 PETROCHEMICAL SPOTLIGHT replace oil and natural gas over the new few decades, presenting an interesting picture for the petrochemical industry as we can now convert biomass into ethanol for dehydration to create ethylene. These renewable sources include the direct fermentation of starch and sugar rich biomass like sugar cane and maize starch, and the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass like wheat and wood. Though the production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is still mainly in development, the production of bioethanol from sugar and maize can be found in production facilities across the world. In the UK there is the potential to use wheat and sugar beet for manufacturing bioethanol. Bioenergy is particularly popular as it is a sustainable, renewable resource that when used in conjunction with CCS facilities can generate negative emissions, removing CO2 from the atmosphere. Despite this, almost no bioenergy is used in the chemicals sector. This may be because of the difficulties switching from fossil-fuels presents for the industry, as one may have to replace boilers or facilities which represents a huge cost financially, as well as the drastic change this would make to it on all levels. Nevertheless, the industry looks up to the challenge. © Shutterstock /Pand P Studio 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 05/03/2021 15:54 Page 41 Know your market – Identify your current audience and then ask yourself are they your perfect customer? If the answer is no, then it is time to change your marketing strategy. Asking yourself some key questions in order to develop a profile of your ideal customer is a good place to start; where do they hang out? What geographical location are they based in? Are they family orientated? Do they have specific hobbies? This will give you the basis and motivation to then seek them out, adapt your message toward them and bingo - watch them come to you! 2Be prepared – I could go into all manner of preparation techniques, so here is one solid nugget: be the best version of YOU. This could come in many forms, but basically do whatever you need to do to get into the right mindset for feeling your best and looking your best, because first impressions count and any other version of you simply will not be doing you or your brand justice. 3Set a target - If you prefer to just ‘turn up and see what happens’ serendipitously at networking events then I am actually all for this. Natural human behaviour helps us to connect and uncontrived networking is often where the magic happens, however there is nothing wrong with having a loose strategy in place, and by this I mean know who you are looking to connect with (remember your perfect customer). Then create a ‘wish list’. A list of your top ten/twenty/thirty ideal companies or people who you want to work with and use this as part of your road map to finding them. 4Communicate creatively – I talk about this in depth A LOT and so if I had to handpick a couple of useful tips for you on this, I would say be creative with your conversation. In the words By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency. 24 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk NETWORKING of Tony Robbins: “Successful people ask better questions and as a result they get better answers.” This in turn will make you more memorable and build upon your reputation as a leader in your industry - yes all of this. 5Relationship management – We all know that the worst kind of networkers are those whose sole goal is to ‘work the room’, hand out business cards first before even speaking to you, treat the event like a competition as to who can speak to the most amount of people in the shortest space of time, try to sell ‘at’ you and expect to ‘land’ a deal on their first visit. Recognise any of these in yourself? It is time to change your approach. I will say one thing and one thing only – take the time to get to know the person behind the brand and allow others to get to know you too - authenticity is the key to relationship building. 6Follow up, follow up - Keep the conversation going, again creatively by experimenting with different platforms of communication; met online in the first instance? Drop them a personal video message, send them something by post – establish your position in the relationship by showing initiative, effort, and care. Be more human. 7Enjoy it - Integrating business networking into your lifestyle will ensure it becomes more convenient and enjoyable. Choose events that attract your perfect customer and gravitate towards formats that suit your schedule and preference. Doing your research beforehand will minimise wasted time and disappointment, however do still make the most of the experiences that did not quite meet your expectations – you never know where they could lead. 7 steps to success! For more tips on business networking online download my free E-book - https://rsvip.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1033730 www.fionaduncansteer.com www.rsvipnetwork.co.uk Business networking online: 24-25.qxp_Layout 1 05/03/2021 16:00 Page 124-25.qxp_Layout 1 05/03/2021 16:00 Page 2FREIGHT, STORAGE AND MOVEMENT 26 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk forward Moving © Shutterstock /MOLPIX 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 05/03/2021 16:03 Page 1East Midlands Business Link 27 FREIGHT, STORAGE AND MOVEMENT Port operators have understandably been wary of the impact of the coronavirus crisis, putting special measures in place to ensure cargo continues to pass through ports, deliveries can still be facilitated, and the increase in demand from consumers and key sectors is met. These measures also extend to help safeguarding staff. Port professionals play a key role in enabling ninety-five per cent of UK trade and, fortunately, port workers have been identified as ‘key workers’ by the government since the start of the first national lockdown – and remain so as we begin to transition out of the third lockdown. Given what port operators have had to contend with over the last few years regarding Brexit, the pandemic has come at the worst possible time. The UK is currently in a six-month “easing-in” period designed to help it more smoothly enter its newfound independence and tradition relationship with the Bloc. Although many controls came into effect on January 1, this period will help ease some of the burden but, as experts and industry professionals have pointed out, the length of the period is unlikely to be long enough. Despite challenges with trade overseas, it’s critical for freight companies and storage specialists to enhance their offering and embrace automation in order to overcome existing challenges and sure themselves up for the future. The introduction of automated and autonomous equipment has further benefits when considering the high turnover rates of manual handling staff and the training periods required for new employees - both of which are costly. While there has been concern that use of robots and automation will eliminate jobs, the wider automation of materials handling is sure to be a benefit with a bleak labour market and as the materials handling workforce ages and retires while service levels become more demanding. Robotic trucks also enable repetitive tasks like loading and unloading and strenuous activities to be completed cost effectively and allow staff to be redistributed to more value-adding and engaging tasks. They create support jobs such as engineers, technicians, software developers, and move staff to tasks like operating equipment, revising performance data and transport planning. Meanwhile, when integrated with other automation technologies, operations can be made even more efficient. For instance, the use of sensors on conveyor belts enables them to perceive when pallets are at the end of the line and notify a robot to collect and move it to the next location. The position of conveyors in automated and robotic systems is expanding here, particularly as The coronavirus crisis and post-Brexit Britain are providing no shortage of challenges for port operators, freight forwarders and storage specialists, but investing in the latest technology can help to ease the strain. 28 Á www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 05/03/2021 16:03 Page 228 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FREIGHT, STORAGE AND MOVEMENT this often requires a product to be in a precise position at an exact time, meaning investing in a conveyor that is reliable and efficient and engineered specifically to work with robots is essential. The popularity of AGVs is on the rise, after previously being thought of as untrustworthy, as they make the movement of materials and products effortless and remove operator error that causes many accidents, being able to detect objects from several feet away and move between people and other machines. While the idea of autonomous forklifts for instance is well established, improvements in navigation, adaptability, flexibility of technology and decreasing costs has seen the equipment become more of a reality. With the use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and AI programs, multiple AGVs like autonomous forklifts can be deployed at once, are able to communicate with each other and avoid colliding. They can also adapt to changes in warehouse layouts and are helpful in reducing loss from misplaced products as every movement they make can be tracked. Further, when connected to the IoT, software can be used by managers to monitor and optimise AGV traffic. When integrated with telematics systems, warehouse management systems or enterprise resource planning systems, one can get the best use out of a fleet 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 05/03/2021 16:03 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 29 FREIGHT, STORAGE AND MOVEMENT through increased visibility into processes and units which allow one to adjust and optimise based on use, maintenance and congestion data and make changes in real time. Moreover, AGVs are set to make operations more fuel efficient. Removing a driver and the mechanics needed for operation from say a forklift dramatically decreases burdens - a lighter vehicle goes easier on fuel. Further smart forklift decisions, driven by computers and data systems automatically choose the most energy and time efficient route to products and delivery vehicles. While moving goods around a facility is a challenge of its own, getting them in and out also throws up potential problems for example when not unloading optimally, inefficiency, high costs and queueing appear. Ensuring the process is quick and smooth has a positive effect on the operation that follows. AGVs are just as beneficial in the loading dock as elsewhere as part of automatic truck loading systems (ATLS), which perhaps more usually involve conveyor belt systems integrated into vehicles. ATLS significantly reduce manpower needed at loading bays, minimise chance of product damage and accidents as well as ergonomic injuries associated with lift truck operation. Products are loaded and unloaded quicker, and at higher volumes, which also means fewer loading docks are required. © Shutterstock /MAX BLENDER 3D 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 05/03/2021 16:03 Page 4Next >