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Business News: June 2026
Plant Watch BASF commissions new fermentation plant in Ludwigshafen May 11, 2026 — BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) announced that its Agricultural Solutions business commissioned a new fermentation plant for biological and biotechnology-based products at the Ludwigshafen site. The products…
Volatility, Value and Visibility: Rethinking Raw-Material Strategies
Due to current global conditions, raw-material considerations — volatility in particular — are now being taken into account earlier, and integrated more intimately, into project planning and management strategies Over the past few years, raw materials have moved from the…
Innovative Membrane and Filter Technologies Reduce Downtime
New materials, designs and digitalization provide cost-effective, long-term membrane-system performance Chemical processors prioritize uptime and high performance in membrane and filtration systems, so innovative technologies are being developed to minimize downtime and provide more cost-effective long-term performance in challenging chemical…
AI and Human-Centered Skills in Modern Engineering
Natural-language models powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can enhance human-centered skills, such as communication, emotional intelligence and interpersonal workflows in chemical-manufacturing settings The chemical process industries (CPI) operate in environments defined by nonlinear system behavior, tight safety margins…
Unraveling Cybersecurity Myths in Chemical Manufacturing
Understanding common myths surrounding the ISA/IEC 62443 cybersecurity standard can help put chemical manufacturers on a path to safer, more resilient operations Picture a petrochemical plant running steady in the dead of night — pipes humming, reactors holding pressure, safety…
Focus On: Compressors, Fans and Blowers
This compressor delivers high flow in a compact design The latest addition to this company’s DrillAir family of portable air compressors is the X-Air+ 800-20 (photo). Delivering up to 800 ft3/min, the model is said to deliver high flow at…
Pilot-scale production of gasoline and naphtha from carbon dioxide
A team of researchers at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT; Daejeon, South Korea; www.krict.re.kr), along with industry partners, has developed catalyst and process technology that converts carbon dioxide into liquid hydrocarbons, such as gasoline and naphtha, without…
Commercial-scale plant for conversion of polyolefin waste to fuels proceeds toward FID
The final investment decision (FID) for a plant in Baytown, Tex. that will convert polyolefin waste into fuels and petrochemical feedstocks is anticipated near the end of 2026. The facility, operated by Abundia Global Impact Group Inc. (AGIG; Houston, Tex., www.abundiaimpact.com),…
Plasma in Practice: Low-Emission Flaring Technology Moves Forward
A novel flare-stack configuration utilizing plasma technology has transitioned from the research stage to a commercial-scale operating site Amidst ambitious sustainability goals and the drive toward “net zero” emissions, engineering and research teams across the globe are developing and evaluating…
Zwitterions enhance ion transport for polymer-based electrolyte material
Batteries with solid-state electrolyte materials, rather than liquids or gels, are a goal of technology developers because of their advantages for battery safety, durability and reduced charge times. Certain ceramic-based electrolytes have shown the ability to transport ions quickly, but…