This column is based on “Polyoxymethylene from Methanol and Acetic Anhydride – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/polyoxymethylene-production-cost. Polyoxymethylene (also known as POM and polyacetal resin) is a thermoplastic polymer fiber. Owing to…
The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB), a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), rose 0.4 percent in February, on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis following a 0.7 percent gain in January. On a…
The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) reported a solid start to the year for U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes, with a 0.5 percent headline gain in January following a 0.7 percent gain in December. Of the 28 specialty…
DuPont (www.dupont.com) announced that its Board of Directors has appointed current executive chairman Edward D. Breen to the additional role of chief executive officer (CEO). Lori D. Koch, vice president of Investor Relations and Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis, is…
The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for December 2019 (the most recent available) decreased from the previous month’s value, the ninth decline in the last eleven months. Of the four major subindices comprising the overall CEPCI,…
According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) edged higher by 0.1 percent in January, following a 0.1 percent decline in December and a 0.2 percent decline in November. During…
Towell Engineering Group (Muscat, Oman; www.towellengineering.com) and GF Biochemicals (Geleen, the Netherlands; www.gfbiochemicals.com) announced the formation of a joint venture (JV) for the production and marketing of biochemicals using GF Biochemicals proprietary technology.The aim of the JV, NXTLEVVEL Biochem (Geleen,…
Plant Watch Enterprise Products starts up isobutane dehydrogenation plant January 13, 2020 — Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (Houston; www.enterpriseproducts.com) announced that its isobutane dehydrogenation (iBDH) plant in Mont Belvieu, Tex. began operations. The plant will ultimately have the capability to…
Eighty years after nylon's first commercial production, clean manufacturing technology leader Genomatica (San Diego, Calif.; www.genomatica.com) achieved a new milestone for the material — its production of the world’s first renewably-sourced ton of caprolactam, a key ingredient for nylon-6, made…
The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for November 2019 (the most recent available) decreased from the previous month’s value, the eighth decline in the last ten months. All four major subindices of the overall CEPCI (Equipment,…