Chemical Engineering
A new reactor system for producing polymers
Traditionally, many polymerization reactions are carried out batchwise in reactor vessels, with the reaction taking place in solution, emulsion or in a melt. This procedure reaches its limits if, for example, the reaction is very exothermic or the viscosity increases…
Enzyme-treated rock particles are accelerating carbon sequestration
In a first-of-its-kind trial project, a CO2-removal method known as enhanced rock weathering (ERW) is being combined with biotechnology to accelerate atmospheric CO2 sequestration. FabricNano (London, U.K.; www.fabricnano.com) and Veolia (Paris, France; www.veolia.com) have embarked on a partnership wherein enzymes…
This patented process improves grease handling
Calcium-sulfonate complex greases are widely used in applications in the pulp-and-paper, marine and steel-manufacturing sectors. Within an ever-volatile lithium market, calcium-sulfonate greases are increasingly seen as a reliable alternative to lithium-based greases. However, typical methods for preparing high-performance calcium-sulfonate grease…
Business News: July 2024
Plant Watch Agilyx polystyrene depolymerization plant commissioned in Japan June 7, 2024 — Agilyx ASA (Tigard, Ore.; www.agilyx.com) announced that its depolymerization technology was successfully demonstrated during commissioning of Toyo Styrene’s 10-ton/d chemical recycling facility in Japan. The recycling plant…
Reducing CO2 to formic acid
A research team led by Kenneth C. Neyerlin at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL; Golden, Colo.; www.nrel.gov), with members from Argonne National Laboratory (Lemont, Ill; www.anl.gov) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Tenn.; www.ornl.gov) has developed a membrane electrode assembly…
CP Kelco and Tate & Lyle to merge
CP Kelco (Atlanta, Ga.) announced its intent to combine its business with London-headquartered global food and beverage solutions business Tate & Lyle (London) through the sale of CP Kelco by J.M. Huber Corporation (Huber). The proposed combination will create a…
Wacker breaks ground for construction of silicone specialties plant in the Czech Republic
Wacker Chemie AG (Munich, Germany) strengthens its focus on silicone specialties in Europe with the construction of a new production site. Wacker, together with project partners and officials representing the city and the region, broke ground symbolically in Karlovy Vary,…
Technip Energies awarded contract for IOCL’s naphtha cracking unit at Paradip, India
Technip Energies (Paris) has been awarded a significant contract by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL; Mumbai) for the license, basic engineering design package, proprietary equipment and catalyst supply and related services for the 1,500,000-ton/yr Paradip naphtha cracker unit (PDNCU) block…
Solvay and Cyclic Materials sign supply agreement for recycled mixed rare-earth oxide
Solvay S.A. (Brussels, Belgium) and Cyclic Materials, an advanced metals recycling company building a circular supply chain for rare earth elements and other critical metals, announced the signing of an agreement for the supply of recycled mixed rare earth oxide…
ALPLA acquires packaging specialist in Germany
ALPLA Group (Hard, Austria) is further expanding its pharma division ALPLApharma with its acquisition of Heinlein Plastik-Technik GmbH. The German packaging specialist Heinlein is one of the world’s best-known groups for the development and manufacture of closure systems, dosing systems…