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Advanced Materials

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Overview

  • Manufacturing facilities in 7 countries across 3 continents
  • Production capacity of 2.4 million tons of calcined petroleum coke
  • Production capacity of 4.0 million tons of cement
  • Production capacity of 1.5 million tons of tar distillation
  • Production capacity of 0.65 million tons of advanced materials
  • Over 2,400 professionals
RAIN is a global leader and innovator in the production of advanced materials through the innovative downstream transformation of a portion of our carbon output, petrochemicals and other raw materials into high-value, eco-friendly raw materials that are critical to the specialty chemicals, coatings, construction, automotive, petroleum and several other global industries. RAIN operates advanced materials production facilities in Belgium, Canada, Germany and Poland.

RAIN produces 0.65 million tons of advanced materials products per annum, which account for over 25% of RAIN’s consolidated turnover. Its products have applications ranging from rubber tyres and printing inks to energy storage and pharmaceutical products.

RAIN produces Advanced Materials in two parallel production processes:

  • Downstream processing and refining of primary coal tar distillates
  • Petroleum derivatives, such as C9 and C10, which serve as raw materials for the production of a range of advanced material products.

RAIN’s advanced materials business includes three sub-categories.

Resins and downstream

RAIN manufactures hydrocarbon resins based on coal tar distillates produced during the downstream refining of carboindene and from C9 and C10, which are liquid by-products derived from the steam cracking of petroleum substances.  Coal tar-based resins are used primarily for applications in coatings, rubber tyres while petrochemical-based resins are used primarily for applications in adhesives and printing inks. The company recently introduced a family of colourless resins used in colour-sensitive applications such as tape and book bindings, as well as hydrogenated hydrocarbon ("water-white") resins for food packaging, hygiene products and other applications where contaminant-free materials are essential.

RAIN also produces phenolics, which are used for applications in leather treatment, electric wire enamels and pharmaceuticals

Engineered products

 

RAIN’s innovative CARBORES® binder, an engineered pitch product, combines the advantages of coal tar pitch products and phenolic resins. Coal tar pitch contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that require special safety precautions be taken during its use. CARBORES® is a substitute binder used in carbon-containing refractory products and graphite products, created with a dramatically reduced concentration of PAHs. While designed for refractory products, the property profile of CARBORES® also allows for it to be substituted for standard cap; tar pitch in other applications.

RAIN’s portfolio of engineered products also includes PETRORES®, which is used in specialty applications such as lithium-ion batteries and energy storage; and LP Sealer Base, a petrochemical-based pavement sealer.

Chemical intermediates

 

RAIN produces benzene, toluene and xylene from the secondary distillation of crude benzene, a liquid by-product derived in conversion of coal into metallurgical coke used for pig iron and steel production. Benzene, toluene and crude xylene are critical inputs for several chemicals-based substances. Applications of toluene and crude xylene include use as solvents for inks and paints.

RAIN produces phthalic anhydride and modifiers from the downstream refining of naphthalene and from other inputs procured externally. The company also produces surface modifiers that are used for coating industrial floors, cable joints and water-based adhesives.

 

The details of facilities at various locations are given below:

 

Facility Description
Zelzate, Belgium
  • Downstream chemical intermediate production
  • Dedicated river port
Hamilton Canada
  • Downstream engineered products and chemical intermediate production
Duisburg, Germany
  • Downstream resins production
  • Dedicated river port

Innovating the future

The research and development division of RAIN constantly focuses on optimizing product mix and conversion costs. RAIN’s customized production and strong R&D focus helps it to create products to match customer requirements and specifications.

A dedicated product development and applications team works closely with clients to tailor the quality and grade of advanced material products to meet specific application needs. RAIN has successfully launched several innovative products developed by its in-house product development and application division such as:

  • Coal tar-based resins for rubber tyre applications in electric cars.

  • Colourless resins for use in colour-sensitive adhesive applications such as tape and book bindings.

  • Specialty coatings that improve energy storage of lithium-ion batteries.

  • A new generation of eco-friendly resins, with water-miscibility, to be used in waterborne coatings and adhesive formulations with reduced volatile organic emissions.

  • Contaminant-free advanced resins for hygiene products, food packaging and other applications requiring high purity levels.

Demand for RAIN’s one-of-a-kind advanced materials products is increasing due to their eco-friendly characteristics, and the company is constantly working to bring additional products to the market to help customers meet evolving environmental and societal requirements. In 2019, RAIN commissioned its new hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins facility in Germany, producing "water-white" resins that satify changing regulations and growing demand by consumer- and industrial-goods manufacturers for cleaner, safer raw materials.