Perstorp (Malmö, Sweden; www.perstorp.com), the leading producer of trimethylolpropane (TMP), has ramped up the capacity to meet growing demand from the European market. TMP is used to enhance the properties of numerous materials. Common applications include the use in saturated…
Despite a challenging year, U.S. chemical production expanded in 2021 as the post-lockdown spending surge boosted demand for chemicals and other goods and materials, according to the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) Year-End 2021 Chemical Industry Situation and…
The U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) eased by 0.3% in October, following a 1.6% decline in September and a 0.4% decline in August, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com). Chemical output declined in all…
At the time of this writing, COP26 is underway in Glasgow, Scotland. COP26 is the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Since the start of the first COP in 1995, climate change…
Plant Watch Chemours to open new HFO plant in Arkansas November 11, 2021 — The Chemours Co. (Wilmington, Del.; www.chemours.com) announced plans to open a new facility located in El Dorado, Ark. The new plant will be dedicated to Chemours’…
Citric acid is a naturally occurring tricarboxylic acid commonly found in plants and animals (Figure 1). In its pure form, it is a colorless compound readily soluble in water. Citric acid is mainly used to add taste to food and…
Clariant (Muttenz, Switzerland; www.clariant.com), a focused, sustainable and innovative specialty chemical company, today launched a major global campaign to reduce the climate change impact of nitrous oxide (N2O). Drawing on decades of catalyst research expertise, the company has developed the…
The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for September 2021 (most recent available) continues the streak of rapid monthly increases observed since the beginning of the year. The Index topped 750, after beginning the year at around…
This episode of the Chemical Engineering podcast features Leon De Bruyn, CEO of Lummus Technology. It has been a year since Lummus began operations as a standalone company, rather than as part of a larger firm. In the podcast, Leon…