Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable polymers that are positioned as a promising alternative to conventional plastics. They can be produced from a variety of biological and renewable feedstocks. Mango Materials (MM; Vacaville, Calif.; www.mangomaterials.com) produces PHAs at a pilot plant and…
Many wastewater-treatment plants rely on iron-based coagulation to remove phosphorus from water. Following treatment with iron-based coagulants, most iron present in the sewage sludge is in the form of an iron-phosphate mineral known as vivianite. A patented technology called ViviMag…
Hydrogen fuel cells, which use hydrogen and oxygen to generate clean electricity and pure water, are considered among the most promising clean energy sources. However, the accumulation of liquid water inside hydrogen fuel cells is a major roadblock to efficient…
Demand for synthetic graphite, a top-priority critical material in the U.S., is increasing because of its use in lithium-ion battery anodes and in steel-making. To meet the increased demand, while also cultivating a domestic source of synthetic graphite (most of…
Batteries with solid-state electrolyte materials, rather than liquids or gels, are a goal of technology developers because of their advantages for battery safety, durability and reduced charge times. Certain ceramic-based electrolytes have shown the ability to transport ions quickly, but…
The expectations placed on plant operators have never been higher. Regulatory frameworks are tightening, environmental accountability is under constant scrutiny and the margin for error in process safety is shrinking. At the same time, producers are expected to improve efficiency,…
Acelen Renewables, the renewable energy company of Mubadala Capital, announced that it has secured $1.5 billion to initiate construction of its renewable fuels biorefinery in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Part of the funding is being provided through a consortium…
EuroChem Group (Zug, Switzerland) has put into operation a sulfuric acid production plant in the Zhambyl Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The facility ranks among the largest of its kind in the country with an annual design capacity of…
Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany) has entered a strategic partnership with the School of Mining at the University of Guanajuato in Mexico to develop next-generation sustainable and lower-toxicity chemical solutions for the mining industry. The collaboration leverages Evonik’s biosurfactant platform…
Aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), cased pipelines and insulated surfaces are all common sights in the chemical processing industry (CPI) landscape. They also have one thing in common: void spaces that are vulnerable to corrosion, yet are difficult to protect due…