Abstract: Stereoregular diblock polybutadiene composed of a polybutadiene block having a 1,4-cis structure and a polybutadiene block having a syndiotactic 1,2 structure. Said stereoregular diblock polybutadiene can be advantageously used in both the footwear industry (for example, in the production of soles for shoes) and in the production of tires for motor vehicles and/or trucks.

Abstract: Pyridine complex of zirconium having general formula (I): Said pyridine complex of zirconium having general formula (I) may advantageously be used in a catalytic system for the (co)polymerization of conjugated dienes.

Abstract: Method for the separation of at least one isoprenic constituent from the resin of a plant of guayule and/or of the guayule type comprising the steps of: a) providing a defatted resin of guayule and/or of the guayule type; b) subjecting the defatted resin to partitioning of the liquid-liquid type with solvents that are immiscible in each other thus obtaining an apolar extract containing the isoprenic constituents guayulin A, guayulin B and argentatin B; and a polar extract containing the isoprene constituents argentatin A, argentatin C and argentatin D; and c) separating at least one isoprenic constituent from said polar extract and/or from the apolar extract thus obtained, wherein step c) comprises a step in which the polar extract is subjected to partitioning of the liquid-liquid type with solvents immiscible in each other and/or a step in which the apolar extract is subjected to partitioning of the solid-liquid type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated process for processing and utilizing every part of the guayule plant (Parthenium argnetatum) which comprises the following steps in sequence: separating the stem and branches from the leaves of said plant with a mechanical treatment; treating the leaves to produce waxes and essential oils, and a fraction containing cellulose, hemicellulose (carbohydrates) and, to a minor extent, salts, organic compounds and lignin; extracting from the stem and branches a liquid phase, so forming a first solid woody residue, indicated with bagasse in the present text; treating said first solid woody residue to prepare sugars, resin, rubber and lignin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric composition which comprises: a) vinyl aromatic polymers and/or copolymers in an amount ranging from 50% to 99% by weight, calculated with respect to the overall composition, b) a polyolefin or a relative copolymer with an ester in an amount ranging from 1% to 50% by weight, calculated with respect to the overall composition, c) olefinic elastomer grafted with a.-vinyl aromatic polymer in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 40% by weight, calculated with respect to the sum of (a)+(b), d) an expanding agent in an amount ranging from 1% to 10% by weight, calculated with respect to the sum of (a)+(b)+(c).

Abstract: A solid catalyst component for the (co)polymerization of ?-olefins having general formula (I): ZrnMAlxClyMgp??(I) wherein: M represents titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), or mixtures thereof; n is a number ranging from 0.01 to 2; x is a number ranging from 0.1 to 4; y is a number ranging from 5 to 53; p is a number ranging from 0 to 15; obtained by means of a process comprising putting at least one zirconium arene in contact with at least one metal compound and, optionally, with at least one compound of magnesium. Said solid catalyst component can be advantageously used as a solid component in a catalyst for the (co)polymerization of ?-olefins. Said catalyst can be advantageously used in a process for the (co)polymerization of ?-olefins.

Abstract: Process for the production of sugars from biomass including at least one polysaccharide which comprises putting a biomass in contact with an aqueous solution of at least one organic acid having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, the pH of said aqueous solution being ranging from 0.6 to 1.6, preferably ranging from 0.9 to 1.3. The sugars thus obtained can be advantageously used as carbon sources in fermentation processes for the production of alcohols (e.g., ethanol, butanol), diols (e.g., 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol), lipids, or other intermediates or products. Said alcohols, diols, lipids, or other intermediates or products, can be advantageously used in the chemical industry or in the formulation of fuels for motor vehicles. Said alcohols and said diols can also be advantageously used in the bio-butadiene production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a concentrated polymeric composition which comprises: a) vinyl aromatic polymers and/or copolymers in an amount ranging from 10% to 90% by weight, calculated with respect to the overall composition, with respect to the overall composition, b) at least one compound containing epoxy functional groups in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 5% by weight, calculated with respect to the overall composition, with respect to the overall composition, c) at least one infrared absorbing agent, in an amount ranging from 10% to 90% by weight, calculated with respect to the overall composition, with respect to the overall composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for energy recovery and a polymerization plant having such a system comprising a. an exothermic device operating continuously (exothermic device interpreted as any apparatus able to produce heat and transfer it onto another body), b. a cooling device in fluid communication with said exothermic device, c. an endothermic device operating discontinuously (endothermic device interpreted as any apparatus able to receive heat from another body, i.e. to be heated); said system being characterized in that it comprises a device for the accumulation of the energy produced by the exothermic device in fluid communication with the discontinuous endothermic device, the exothermic device operating continuously and the cooling device using a service fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dehydrogenation process starting from reagents selected from single butenes, or mixtures thereof, or mixtures of butenes with butanes, to give 1-3 butadiene using catalytic composition of microspheroidal alumina and an active component containing a mixture comprising Gallium and/or Gallium oxides, Tin and/or Tin oxides, a quantity ranging from 1 ppm to 500 ppm with respect to the total weight of the catalytic composition of platinum and/or platinum oxides, and oxides of alkaline and/or alkaline earth metals.

Abstract: Process for the production of alkenols comprising the dehydration of at least one diol in the presence of at least one catalyst based on cerium oxide, wherein said catalyst based on cerium oxide is obtained by precipitation, in the presence of at least one base, of at least one compound containing cerium. Preferably, said diol may be a butanediol, more preferably 1,3-butanediol, still more preferably bio-1,3-butanediol derived from biosynthetic processes. Said alkenols may advantageously be used for the production of 1,3-butadiene, in particular of bio-1,3-butadiene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the dehydration of at least one oxygenated compound, preferably selected from saturated alcohols, unsaturated alcohols, diols, ethers, in the presence of at least one dehydration catalyst selected from cerium oxide (CeO2), aluminium oxide (?-Al2O3), aluminium silicate, silica-aluminas (SiO2-Al2O3), aluminas, zeolites, sulfonated resins, ion-exchange resins, metal oxides (for example, lanthanum oxide, zirconium oxide, tungsten oxide, thallium oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide); of at least one basic agent selected from ammonia (NH3), or from inorganic or organic compounds containing nitrogen capable of developing ammonia (NH3) during said dehydration process; and, optionally, of silica (SiO2), or of at least one catalyst for the dissociation of ammonia (NH3) selected from catalysts comprising silica (SiO2), preferably of silica (SiO2).

Abstract: Process for the production of a diene, preferably a conjugated diene, more preferably 1,3-butadiene, comprising the dehydration of at least one alkenol in the presence of at least one catalytic material comprising at least one acid catalyst based on silica (SiO2) and alumina (AI2O3), preferably a silica-alumina (SiO2-AI2O3), said catalyst having a content of alumina (AI2O3) lower than or equal to 12% by weight, preferably ranging from 0.1% by weight to 10% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the catalyst. Preferably, said alkenol can be obtained directly from biosynthesis processes, or through the catalytic dehydration of at least one diol, preferably a butanediol, more preferably 1,3-butanediol, even more preferably bio-1,3-butanediol, deriving from biosynthesis processes. Preferably, said 1,3-butadiene is bio-1,3-butadiene.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of branched polybutadiene having a high content of 1,4-cis units which comprises polymerizing butadiene in the presence of at least one organic solvent, and in the presence of: a) a catalytic system prepared in situ including: (a1) at least one neodymium carboxylate, (a2) at least one alkyl compound of aluminum, (A3) at least one alkyl compound of aluminum containing at least one halogen atom, and b) at least one organic ester containing at least one halogen atom. Said branched polybutadiene having a high content of 1,4-cis units, depending on the branching degree and molecular weight distribution, can be advantageously used in various applications ranging from the modification of plastic materials [production, for example, of high impact polystyrene (HIPS)] to the production of tires, in particular the production of treads and/or of sidewalls of tires.

Abstract: An ethylbenzene dehydrogenation plant for producing styrene which comprises a reaction section in which one or more adiabatic reaction apparatuses are positioned in series, and a steam circuit in which there is at least one first steam heat exchange apparatus; said plant being characterized in that it comprises heating equipment in which there is a heating circuit by means of recirculation of the fumes formed during dehydrogenation processes of ethylbenzene to give styrene, wherein said heating equipment comprises the following apparatuses in fluid communication with each other by means of said heating circuit: one or more ultra-heating apparatuses, one or more combustion devices in which at least one steam diffuser, one burner and at least one mixing apparatus are inserted, one or more ventilation device(s).

Abstract: A precursor for the formation of catalysts for the (co)polymerization of ?-olefins, comprising titanium, magnesium, at least one metal selected from hafnium and zirconium, aluminum and chlorine, obtained with a process comprising treatment with a siloxane compound. Said solid precursor, used in combination with a suitable co-catalyst in high-temperature (co)polymerization processes of ?-olefins, shows an improved productivity, a high incorporation of co-monomers in the copolymerization of ethylene and an increased thermal stability with respect to the systems so far in use.

Abstract: Pyridine complex of zirconium having general formula (I): Said pyridine complex of zirconium having general formula (I) may advantageously be used in a catalytic system for the (co)polymerization of conjugated dienes.

Abstract: An improved solid Ziegler-Natta type catalyst for the (co)polymerisation of ethylene and ?-olefins, particularly in high-temperature processes, such as for example adiabatic solution processes and high-pressure adiabatic processes with elevated productivity, is provided. Said catalyst is obtained by means of an original process comprising dissolving in hydrocarbons, compounds of titanium, magnesium and optionally a metal selected from hafnium and zirconium, and reprecipitating them in two steps in succession, the first of which is chlorination and the second reduction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a control parameter of a polymerization reaction mixture in heterogeneous phase comprising the following steps: (a) acquiring at least one NIR reflectance spectrum of said mixture; (b) calculating a value of said control parameter by means of a calibration curve which correlates the NIR reflectance spectrum with the values of said control parameter measured with a reference measurement method. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for implementing said method.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an elastomeric polymer of ethylene which comprises polymerizing, in suspension, a mixture of monomers comprising ethylene, at least one a-olefin having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, possibly at least one non-conjugated diene having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms, in the presence of a catalytic system comprising: —a suspension in oil of at least one catalyst selected from compounds containing vanadium; —at least one co-catalyst, as such, selected from compounds containing aluminum; at least one activator, as such, selected from compounds containing chlorine.