Hydrogenation is an important reaction in many sectors of the chemical process industries (CPI), but H2 gas is not only expensive, its use requires considerable safety measures to prevent explosions. Significant cost savings could be achieved if hydrogenations did not…
Toxicology testing The world’s first toxicology-testing strategy without animal testing has been approved by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD; Paris, France; www.oecd.org). The testing strategy consists of three so-called alternative methods. They can be used to predict…
Next year, construction will begin on an industrial-scale pilot plant to further develop a new process that decomposes methane into H2 and carbon. The process uses a thermo-catalytic decomposition (TCD) technology developed by Hycamite TCD Technologies Oy (Kokkola, Finland; www.hycamite.com).…
A family of oxidation catalysts known as TAML has been revamped to increase activity by several orders of magnitude, even at very dilute catalyst concentrations. Developed by Sudoc (Cambridge, Mass.; www.sudoc.com), these peroxidase-mimicking catalysts present a more environmentally sustainable option…
Buildup of biofouling on membranal surfaces necessitates treatments with corrosive chemicals, such as hydrochloric acid, and even replacement of membrane cartridges, which can be costly in desalination operations. A new coating, developed in the laboratory of Ran Suckevereine at Kinneret…
Haldor Topsoe A/S (Lyngby, Denmark) and Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum (Group) Co., Ltd. (Yanchang) form a joint venture (JV) with the aim of delivering locally produced MK-151+ methanol synthesis catalysts to the Chinese market. The JV will secure fast delivery to…
Neles Corp. (Helsinki, Finland) has signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire the valve and pump businesses of the Finland-based technology company Flowrox Oy (Lappeenranta, Finland). The acquisition will complement Neles' offering and exposure to the mining and metals industry.…
The Chemours Company (Wilmington, Del.) has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Mining Solutions business for $520 million in cash to Draslovka Holding a.s., a Czech-based private company specializing in cyanide production. The transaction is expected to close…
KBR, Inc. (Houston) announced that it has been awarded technology licensing contracts by PKN Orlen (Płock, Poland) for KBR's Solvent Deasphalting (SDA) and Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) technologies as part of PKN's Bottom-of-the-Barrel project for its Plock Refinery in…
The Lenzing Group (Lenzing, Austria) is investing GBP 20 million (around €23.3 million) to build a new, state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant at its site in Grimsby, United Kingdom. The investment is part of the company’s plans to reduce wastewater emissions…