Artificial intelligence is becoming a game changer in the fields of healthcare, life sciences, and electronics, and Merck in Darmstadt wants to be at the forefront of this revolution. “The journey has only just begun,” says CEO Belen Garijo. Here’s where Merck is already using AI and what plans the company has.

The new plant is Alpla’s second plant in Thailand. With this project, the company aims to increase capacities, expand its portfolio and offer safe, affordable and sustainable full-system solutions made of plastic to numerous industries and markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

With a mid-double-digit million-euro investment, BASF has plans to develop a new alcoholates plant at its site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. On completion, the project is expected to produce sodium methylate and potassium methylate.

The first product in Sabic’s low carbon product portfolio is methanol. The methanol product offers a lower carbon content and provides the same high-quality product specifications as compared to a traditional one. It also offers CO2 footprint savings.

The new biomethane plant Bionorrois is Total Energies’ 8th biomethane production unit in France. Cristal Union which is a partner in the project and 10 % shareholder will provide beet pulp to the biomethane plant.

How can precious metals be recovered safely and efficiently from ores, electronic scrap or waste products? Hecht Technologie has developed a customised containment solution.

KBR’s proprietary H2act ammonia cracking technology has been selected by Hanwha Impact Corporation for its hydrogen plant in Korea. Under the terms of the agreement, KBR will provide technology licensing, proprietary engineering design and equipment, and services for the 214 metric tons per day hydrogen unit.

LG Chem has plans to accelerate the commercial production of bio-acrylic acid in the second quarter of this year. LG Chem's bio-acrylic acid is made from 3-Hydroxypropionic acid which is produced by microbial fermentation of plant-based raw materials.

With an investment of around 20 million dollars, Arkema has plans to expand its PVDF production site in Calvert City, Kentucky by 15 %. The project is in line with the company’s goal of increasing its global PVDF footprint.

Lonza has plans to invest in two additional manufacturing suites in Visp (CH), Switzerland with an aim to expand its bioconjugation capabilities. The new suites are expected to double the company’s multipurpose capacity for the launch and commercial supply of bioconjugates.