Ikea sells its own balcony power plant for self-assembly.
From this week on, Ikea stores will offer a DIY balcony solar power kit for a small price. It comes with a portable battery included.
Verbio's Strategic Investment in Ethenolysis Plant
The construction of the world's first large-scale ethenolysis plant based on rapeseed methyl ester is progressing at Verbio's Bitterfeld site. The majority of the steel and concrete structure of the production building is now in place.
Starting in 2026, Verbio's Bitterfeld site will produce approximately 60,000 tons of renewable molecules for the chemical industry annually. These green molecules will be used in products such as detergents, cleaning agents, and high-performance lubricants.
"Our goal is to have the plant operational by 2026. We aim to produce up to 60,000 tons of renewable bio-based components for the chemical industry annually," explains Dr. Andreas Kohl, Head of Specialty Chemicals and Catalysts at Verbio.
Verbio's CEO, Claus Sauter, emphasizes the strategic importance of this multimillion-dollar investment. He states, "Expanding our product portfolio with renewable molecules and green solutions are crucial growth and stability factors for Verbio. The production of bio-based specialty chemicals is strategically important for tapping into a new market segment in addition to the biofuel market."
Unique Technology and Production Process
Verbio's ethenolysis plant is unique in its process technology. The production is based on rapeseed methyl ester from certified and sustainably produced rapeseed oil. Utilizing catalysts from Verbio's Hungarian subsidiary XiMo, renewable specialty chemicals are produced from this rapeseed methyl ester. XiMo is also constructing a production plant in Hungary to manufacture the metathesis catalysts used in this process.
Nearly 20 years ago, Prof. Dr. Richard Schrock, a co-founder of XiMo, received a Nobel Prize for his discoveries in metathesis in organic chemistry. Metathesis is a reaction method that can be controlled using innovative catalysts to selectively form new carbon molecules. With the ethenolysis plant, Verbio is now able to translate these discoveries into industrial practice and produce carbon molecules from sustainable biomass.
Diversified Applications of Green Molecules
Starting in 2026, Verbio plans to offer the market bio-based specialty chemicals such as Methyl-9-decenoate (9-DAME) and 1-Decene. These renewable molecules can be used in various applications. For example, 9-DAME is used in detergents, cleaning agents, and as a raw material for lubricants and polymers. 1-Decene is a key ingredient in high-performance lubricants for modern engines, transmissions, and wind turbines.
The plant's nominal capacity in Bitterfeld will be 32,000 tons of 9-DAME per year and 17,000 tons of 1-Decene per year. The overall goal is to produce 60,000 tons per year of renewable products for the chemical industry.