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New electrochemical route to critical chemicals is scaling up with significant industrial support
A new electrochemical process developed by French-American startup firm Dioxycle (Paris, France; Menlo Park, Calif.; www.dioxycle.com) produces critical chemicals from industrial by-products and electricity, independent from fossil-fuel imports. Recently, the company announced the deployment of their platform for the conversion…
Extending the Life of Legacy Rotary Dryers
Rotary dryers are often in operation for many decades after their initial commissioning. This article provides a decision framework to consider whether to upgrade, repair or replace an aging rotary dryer Rotary dryers are fundamental to ensuring product quality and…
Printable gel electrolytes support bespoke battery architectures
Unlike conventional liquid electrolytes used in lithium-ion batteries, gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are immobilized within a polymer network, which reduces leakage risks, thereby improving mechanical and thermal stability. However, current methods for GPE fabrication result only in two-dimensional planar films,…
Focus On: Laboratory Equipment
This X-ray fluorescence analyzer has sub-ppm sensitivity The ALTRACE is a benchtop energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer (photo) designed for rapid, non-destructive elemental analysis across a wide range of sample types. Featuring sub-ppm sensitivity, it provides screening for elements from…
Business News: September 2026
Plant Watch BioBTX breaks ground on commercial-scale waste-to-aromatics plant August 14, 2026 — BioBTX B.V. (Groningen, Netherlands; www.biobtx.com) is building the world’s first commercial-scale plant to convert mixed plastic waste into aromatic oil consisting of benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX).…
Alignment on worker chemical safety
In the U.S., worker chemical safety is a key concern at a wide range of industrial facilities. The current regulatory framework for worker chemical safety is overseen by two federal agencies: traditionally, by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA;…
Eco-friendly method for making MOF-encapsulated enzymes expands possibilities
Enzyme-based biocatalysts are a key aspect of industrial green-chemistry initiatives, but they often don’t have the required stability to perform in industrial settings. A strategy for allowing enzymes to function longer and under harsher conditions has been to encapsulate them…
Facts At Your Fingertips: Net Positive Suction Head: NPSHa versus NPSHr
Net positive suction head (NPSH) is a crucial topic for the design, selection and operation of pump systems in chemical process industries (CPI) facilities. This one-page reference provides information about NPSH available (NPSHa) and NPSH required (NPSHr). Hydrostatic pressure Hydrostatic…
Electro-extraction technique unlocks copper in waste streams
Initiatives to increase electrification and build digital infrastructure for artificial intelligence are among the trends increasing demand for copper (and other critical materials), prompting efforts to identify new sources of the metal. The startup company SiTration (Watertown, Mass.; www.sitration.com), a…
Bulk-Solids Storage and Flow: Silos and Stockpiles
This article provides guidance on the selection and sizing of silos and stockpiles in bulk-solids-handling operations, and clarifies misconceptions surrounding gravity-reclaim storage systems for bulk-solids materials Gravity-reclaim systems for bulk-solids handling rely solely on gravity to withdraw material from storage…