Plant Watch Nouryon expands production capacity for colloidal silica in China April 13, 2026 — Nouryon (Amsterdam, the Netherlands; www.nouryon.com) is expanding production capacity for colloidal silica at its manufacturing site in Guangzhou, China to serve fast-growing segments like emissions-control…
Over decades of experimentation, molten-salt nuclear reactors have been shown to deliver high-temperature heat and extremely efficient electricity at reduced pressures. However, these reactors have yet to make the leap into widespread industrial adoption. Terrestrial Energy Inc. (Charlotte, N.C.; www.terrestrialenergy.com)…
New pump designs and smart technologies ensure long-term performance in chemical process applications Chemical processes have some of the most demanding pump environments. Pumps are exposed to aggressive media and extreme operating conditions, while strict safety and environmental regulations, coupled…
Ammonia cracking, decomposing ammonia into its constituent nitrogen and hydrogen molecules, is gaining traction as an emerging source for cleaner hydrogen. However, this reaction is very endothermic and requires heat and high temperature. In a proprietary technology developed by Duiker…
Nanomox (London, U.K.; www.nanomox.net) has invented a synthesis platform for metal oxides where multifunctional ionic liquids enable high selectivity for specialized morphologies. While the technology can be tailored for a large number of metals, the company is currently targeting zinc…
Minimizing cost is the key parameter for the viability of direct-air-capture (DAC) systems that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The startup company Sustaera Inc. (Research Triangle Park, N.C.; www.sustaera.com) has built a prototype DAC system that it says can…
A new approach to advanced recycling combines heterogeneous catalysis with electromagnetic induction, enabling the conversion of polyolefin-rich waste streams into versatile materials. Developed by bobine (Strasbourg, France; www.bobine-chemistry.com), this fully electric technology can help decarbonize the production of olefins like…
A new demonstration facility in northern Iceland will integrate geothermal energy with a solid-oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) to produce green hydrogen, representing a key step toward lower-cost sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This Thermal Hybrid Production System, developed by Syntholene Energy…
Extracting lithium from currently underutilized brines, such as geothermal and oilfield brines, will be necessary to meet the growing demand for lithium in energy-storage applications in the future. Technical hurdles for extracting lithium from these sources include the relatively low…
Current recycling methods for recovering platinum-group metals (PGMs) from catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs) used in proton-exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers and fuel cells incinerate the highly valuable membrane material, requiring the manufacture of new material and the management of hydrogen fluoride offgas…