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MOF story shows science’s strengths
In October, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize for chemistry to three pioneers who were instrumental in the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Richard Robson (University of Melbourne; www.unimelb.edu.au), Susumu Kitagawa (Kyoto University; www.kyoto-u.ac.jp and…
Business News: November 2025
Plant Watch World-scale black pellet plant begins commercial operation in Vietnam October 14, 2025 — Idemitsu Kosan Co. (Tokyo; www.idemitsu.com) has commenced commercial operation of its newly constructed plant in Gia Lai Province, Vietnam, to produce black pellets (BP), a…
Considerable scaleup underway for continuous carbon-fiber recycling
Carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) are used in a broad range of products, including automotive parts, construction materials and many others. Economically recycling these materials has proven challenging due to their multi-material makeup. Typically, they are chopped into pellets or strips…
“Chemical sorting” process improves separation rate of solid contaminants from automotive waste
Processes to reuse plastics from end-of-life vehicles are complicated by solid contaminants — including pre-embedded metal and rubber components of different sizes and reinforcing glass fiber. Currently, recycling solids-containing waste-plastic parts is accomplished by physical sorting processes. Honda (Tokyo, Japan;…
Novel PVC-recycling process piloted in Ohio
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is among the world’s most widely used polymers. Recycling PVC via mechanical and high-temperature chemical processes is challenging due to its chlorine content.The startup company Plastic Back (Tel Aviv, Israel; www.plastic-back.com) aims to raise the rates of…
Software Features Empower Process Optimization
AI, machine learning and predictive analytics encourage faster, data-driven decision making To help offset the loss of experienced operators and optimize operations, advanced features, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and predictive analytics, are being applied to software…
Improving Level Measurement for Solids
Selecting the right technology to ensure accurate and reliable level measurement can help solve the unique challenges posed by storing and processing solid materials Advanced measurement solutions are helping to enhance process control, operational efficiency and safety throughout the chemical…
Recycling automotive shredder residue and bio-waste into high-value feedstock
A new research study by ETH Zurich (www.ethz.ch), in collaboration with BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany), has investigated an alternative route for mixed plastic waste streams from end-of-life vehicles: to recycle it alongside biomass. The results show: the recycling of one…
Plug Power partners with Edgewood Renewables to build renewable fuels facility in Nevada
Plug Power Inc. (Latham, N.Y.) announced a strategic partnership with Edgewood Renewables to support the development and construction of its advanced renewable fuel facility in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The project is designed to process waste biomass feedstocks to produce…
Outokumpu to construct enriched ferrochrome pilot plant in New Hampshire
Outokumpu (Helsinki, Finland) is investing approximately $45 million in a new pilot plant in New Hampshire, planned to be operational in H1 of 2027. The unique pilot plant will represent a significant step forward in Outokumpu's strategy to scale up…