On this episode of the Chemical Engineering Podcast, we speak with Joana Adriano, the Global Talent Acquisition Manager at the Solvay Group. Joana discusses the image of the chemicals industry among younger science and engineering graduates and shares her experiences…
Plant Watch OCI Global to double U.S. production capacity for ‘green’ methanol September 14, 2023 — OCI Global N.V. (Amsterdam, the Netherlands; www.oci-global.com) plans to double its green-methanol production capacity to approximately 400,000 metric tons per year (m.t/yr) in Beaumont,…
The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) published the 2023 edition of its Guide to the Business of Chemistry, comprehensive profile of the U.S. chemistry industry and its contributions to domestic and global economies. American chemistry is the world’s…
For the second quarter in a row, U.S. chemical manufacturers reported deterioration in their company’s activity level overall (such as, sales, production, output) and weakening demand across major customer markets. The latest findings from ACC’s (Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) latest Chemical…
Plant Watch Mitsui Chemicals to increase production capacity for polyurethane dispersions August 11, 2023 — Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan; www.mitsuichemicals.com) will increase its production capacity for polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) at the company’s Shimizu site. This expansion will approximately double…
The expanding use of digitalization tools at chemical process industries (CPI) facilities, coupled with the ongoing convergence of operational technology (OT) systems with traditional computer information technology (IT) systems, has increased plant cybersecurity risks. All plant personnel play a role…
The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for June 2023 (most recent available) fell compared to the previous month, reversing an upward trend over the previous two data cycles. In June, all four of the subindices —…
Plant Watch UBE to expand silicon nitride plant July 13, 2023 — UBE Corp. (Tokyo, Japan; www.ube.com) plans to expand the silicon nitride production facility at its chemical complex in Ube, Japan. The facility is scheduled to go online in…
Thyssenkrupp Uhde Thailand has been awarded a contract by BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany) for engineering services and proprietary equipment supply for its new non-ionic surfactant (NIS) plant at its Zhanjiang Verbund Site Project, Guangdong Province, China. The plant will employ…
Plant Watch ALPLA to construct PET recycling plant in South Africa June 13, 2023 — Alpla Group (Hard, Austria; www.alpla.com) is building a new recycling plant in Ballito, South Africa. The plant, with an output of 35,000 metric tons per…