In our prior post, we talked about using variants of the classic PID algorithm in order to control vacuum processes. In the simplest form, the PID control loop can be reduced to a P-only, or 2-point, algorithm. For example, by…
Saudi Aramco (Dhahran; www.saudiaramco.com) has acquired the Converge product line and associated operations and technologies from U.S.-based Novomer Inc. (Waltham, Mass.; www.novomer.com). The transaction was valued at up to $100 million. Converge is manufactured from and contains a significant portion…
Wacker Chemie AG (Munich, Germany; www.wacker.com) has expanded its range of services in Asia with today’s official opening of a new food laboratory at its Technical Center in Singapore. The regional competence center now has a newly created laboratory dedicated…
Ineos Technologies (Rolle, Switzerland; www.ineos.com) announced that INEOS O&P USA has acquired 100% of the shares of WLP Holding Corp., one of the largest high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe manufacturers in North America. The business is headquartered in Fort Worth, Tex.…
Amec Foster Wheeler (London, U.K.; www.amecfw.com) announced the award of a contract by The National Company for Fertilizers & Chemicals (Agrochem) to supply material and detailed engineering for a steam reformer heater for its fertilizer facility in Alexandria, Egypt. The…
Solvay SA (Brussels, Belgium; www.solvay.com) has launched the production of Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS) at its new state-of-the-art plant in Gunsan, South Korea, meeting strong and growing regional demand for energy saving tires. The plant has an annual capacity of…
Saint-Gobain has acquired 100% of the share capital of the Italian company h-old from private equity fund Arcadia Small Cap. Founded in 1982, h-old designs, manufactures and distributes – mostly in Europe – specialty adhesive tapes for various high-performance applications…
Clariant (Muttenz, Switzerland; www.clariant.com) announced a number of investments which increase the footprint of its Mining Solutions business and further improve its product portfolio, customer base and technical expertise. The company has agreed to acquire Chemical & Mining Services, Pty.…
PPG Industries, Inc. (Pittsburgh, Pa.; www.ppg.com) announced that it has reached an agreement with the Emerging Europe Accession Fund (EEAF) to acquire Deutek S.A., a leading Romanian paint and architectural coatings manufacturer. PPG expects the transaction to close in the…
Fluor Corp. (Irving, Tex.; www.fluor.com) was awarded a contract by Sasol Group Technology, a division of Sasol Ltd. (Johannesburg, South Africa; www.sasol.co.za), for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the Additional Oxygen Capacity Train 17 Outside Battery Limits project…