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Schneider Electric to acquire AI firm Cognite for $3.1 billion
Schneider Electric SE (Paris) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Cognite Holding (Tempe, Ariz.), a leading provider of industrial data and AI software, in an all cash transaction valued at $3.1 billion. Industrial…
New powder-coating system allows primer and topcoat to cure together in a single bake cycle
OneCure is a patented dust-on-dust (DoD) powder-coating system that allows primer and topcoat to cure together in a single bake. OneCure has transformed finishing operations for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) needing speed, durability and consistency at scale. Built from multiple…
Lithium Hydroxide Production: How Does Electrolysis Stack Up on Cost?
The growing demand for lithium, driven by the rapid expansion of electric vehicles and energy storage systems, has intensified interest in more sustainable and economically viable refining technologies that permit domestic refining capacity. Electrolysis-based lithium refining presents a promising alternative…
Kuraray Expedites Catalyst Development with AI-Powered Materials-Discovery Platform
Specialty chemicals company Kuraray drastically accelerated decision-making and resource allotment by leveraging an AI-driven platform in its R&D division Materials discovery has long been the backbone of the chemical process industries (CPI), driving advances in resins, specialty chemicals, advanced fibers,…
Ionomer-free plastic for vacuum packaging applications results from collaboration
Ionomers (polymers that can form cross-links between chains due to ionized functional groups) are often used for vacuum-packaged products because they have the strength needed to resist puncture and tearing when vacuum is applied. Due to material shortages for ionomer…
New insights into graphene oxide’s strengthening effects in concrete could accelerate commercial development
The nanomaterial graphene oxide (GO) has been investigated as a way to improve concrete strength, but reported results of GO’s effects have been inconsistent and detailed understanding of the mechanisms of its strength-enhancing effects has been elusive. New studies by…
Circular-loop recycling for disposable baby diapers demonstrated in Europe
Disposable baby diapers are a challenging waste stream, because the absorbent polymers, non-woven fibers and organic material prevent them from mechanical-recycling processes. However, a three-way partnership has demonstrated a circular system for chemical recycling of disposable diapers. The project, involving…
World-first sewage-treatment trial proves comprehensive dual-phase PFAS removal
An ongoing large-scale demonstration project in Australia is the world’s first to apply a foam-fractionation technology to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a sewage-treatment plant. The Surface-Active Foam Fractionation (SAFF®) technology developed by EPOC Enviro (Emu Plains, NSW,…
Tower Doctor: Should a Doctor Diagnose by a Hunch?
Henry Kister shares lessons learned from troubleshooting distillation towers The C2 splitter tower is the final step in ethylene plant distillation. It separates a high-purity ethylene top product (typically a few hundred ppm ethane impurity) from the ethane recycle bottoms.…
Chemical-Resistant Polymers in Corrosive Applications
Fluorinated plastics can be used as internal linings in process-equipment components for highly corrosive applications in chemical processing, and material development has allowed conductivity and compliance with food-contact applications The industrial production of chemicals forms the foundation for a wide…