Acrylic acid, a commodity chemical used widely in superabsorbent polymers, paints, coatings, adhesives and more, is typically produced from fossil-based propylene at relatively high temperatures. As part of an initiative supported by the U.S. Dept. of Defense, funding was recently…
Because of their excellent mechanical properties, light weight and biodegradability, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) are attractive materials for next-generation reinforced biomaterials and bioplastics. However, the method for separating cellulose to make CNF, known as fibrillation, is energy-intensive, which limits applications for…
A handheld Raman device for material identification This company’s handheld 1,064-nm Raman Progeny analyzer (photo) is used for raw material identification, in-process analysis and authentication of finished products in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Traditional processes can include laboratory analysis, a costly and…
The Valve World Conference & Expo (www.valveworldexpo.com) is being held December 3–5 in Düsseldorf, Germany. One of the world’s largest events for industrial valve technologies, this year’s Valve World boasts nearly 400 exhibitors covering the full spectrum of the industry.…
With a recent round of investment funding, UP Catalyst (Tallinn, Estonia; www.upcatalyst.com) plans to build a pilot plant for a process that converts waste carbon dioxide into a range of solid carbon materials, such as carbon nanotubes, (CNTs), graphite and…
The destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) presents unique issues in wastewater treatment, as these substances are persistent in many treatment environments, and PFAS-laden purification media is challenging to dispose of. Now, InEnTec Inc. (Richland, Wash.; www.inentec.com) says that…
The electrolytes used in nearly all lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries are carbonate-based, which makes them flammable and prone to degradation mechanisms, including side reactions, which can result in gas evolution and the formation of undesirable chemicals like hydrogen fluoride. A…
Striving to make products and processes safer, more efficient, more sustainable, more economical and more environmentally friendly has long been the goal of research and applied scientists and engineers. For the past 28 years, new and innovative “green” chemistry technologies…
Electrifying industrial heat Calectra (Oakland, Calif.; www.calectra.com) has received $1.6 million in pre-seed funding and $400,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Government and New York State to support its work on decarbonizing industrial process heat. Heavy industrial processes, like…
Plant Watch BASF completes superabsorbent polymers expansion project in Texas October 16, 2024 — BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) announced that its petrochemicals division has completed production upgrades for superabsorbent polymers (SAP) after a $19.2-million investment in its Freeport, Tex.…