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…
Discontinued series IDs associated with producer prices for storage tanks requires a modification to the CEPCI The Chemical Engineering Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) is a widely used tool for comparing plant construction costs in the chemical process industries (CPI) between…
Following a strong year, U.S. production has slowed going into the second half of this year as demand for chemicals softens and a risk of recession remains high, according to the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) Economic Mid-Year…
The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for April 2023 (most recent available) rose compared to the previous month’s value, the second consecutive monthly rise. The April values saw small increases in all four subindices (Equipment; Buildings;…