Business & Economics
Chemical Activity Barometer rose in January, ACC says
The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB), a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), jumped 0.6 percent in January on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis, following a 0.1 percent gain in December. On a…
Vertellus acquires Bercen Chemicals, maker of alkyl succinic anhydrides
Vertellus (Indianapolis, Ind.; www.vertellus.com) announced today it has acquired Bercen Chemicals, a leading U.S. supplier of alkyl succinic anhydrides and additives used in the fuel, lubricant, and paper industries. “This acquisition expands the range of products Vertellus is able to…
CPI outlook slower, but positive
Despite a slowdown in global manufacturing, the U.S. chemical process industries (CPI) have continued to expand and remain a positive contributor to growth. In its “Year-End 2019 Chemical Industry Situation and Outlook,” which was issued in December, the American Chemistry…
Recently Published Books for Chemical Process Industries: January 2020
The following are selected recently published books that may be relevant for chemical process industries (CPI) professionals Dispelling Chemical Engineering Myths, 3rd ed. (electronic book edition). By Trevor Kletz, CRC Press, 2019, $57.95, e-book. Guide for Making Acute Risk Decisions.…
Plant Watch: January 2020
Plant Watch Messer to build onsite gas facility for MOL polyols plant in Hungary December 12, 2019 — Messer Group GmbH (Bad Soden, Germany; www.messergroup.com) will construct a new onsite gas facility for MOL Group (Budapest, Hungary; www.molgroup.info) in Tiszaújváros,…
Technology Profile: Production of ammonium nitrate
This column is based on “Ammonium Nitrate Porous Prills Production Process – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec Solutions. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/ammonium-nitrate-production-cost. Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) is one of the most commercially important ammonium compounds, both in…
Gas Fermentation Leads Honored Achievements
The winning technology for the 2019 Kirkpatrick Chemical Engineering Achievement Award, along with the other finalist technologies, demonstrate how innovative engineering can tackle climate change and other challenges. All six technologies are described here The six finalist technologies for the…
Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB) is stable in December, ACC says
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 December on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis following a 0.1 percent gain in November.…
U.S. specialty chemical markets continue 4th quarter on mixed note, ACC says
The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) reported that fourth quarter U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes continue on a mixed note, with a 0.3 percent decline in November following a 0.1 percent gain in October. All changes in the…
U.S. chemical production fell in November, ACC says
According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) fell by 0.8 percent in November after gains the previous three months. During November, chemical output declined across all regions, ACC says.…