Normalized profitability metrics provide a basis for comparing the efficiency of capital investments, but they are often misunderstood. New interpretations of these metrics can help engineers to make more informed decisions In a financial sense, a large capital project can…
Hydrogen’s potential for playing a significant role in the global search for clean, secure energy sources is garnering much attention from a growing number of industries and governments. Driven by concerns about climate change, investors as well as policy makers…
Plant Watch Wacker starts up new silicon-metal production plant in Norway November 15, 2019 — Wacker Chemie AG’s (Munich, Germany; www.wacker.com) new silicon-metal production plant officially went on stream at the Holla site in Norway, following over two years of…
The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB) a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), was stable (0.0 percent change) in November on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis following a 0.3 percent decline in October.…
The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) reported that U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes started the fourth quarter on a mixed note, with no change in October. Of the 28 specialty chemical segments ACC monitors, 14 expanded in October,…
The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) today announced the formation of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Risk Evaluation Consortia to inform the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) risk evaluation of five chemicals: 1,3-butadiene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB), formaldehyde, phthalic anhydride, and…
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 0.2 percent in October, following gains of 0.5 percent in September and 0.2 percent in August. During October, chemical…
Today Shell (The Hague, the Netherlands; www.shell.com) announced it has successfully made high-end chemicals using a liquid feedstock made from plastic waste. The technique, known as pyrolysis, is considered a breakthrough for hard-to-recycle plastics and advances Shell’s ambition to use…
The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI; the most recent available) for September 2019 increased from the previous month’s value by 0.7, reversing a trend of declining values this year. Three of the four major subindices —…
Following satisfaction of customary transaction approvals, MOL Group (Budapest, Hungary; www.molgroup.info) announced that effective 31 October 2019, it has acquired 100% shareholding in Aurora, a German plastic compounder company. As a result of the acquisition, MOL Group is strengthening its…