Brightmark has plans to invest more than 680 million dollars for developing the world’s largest advanced plastics recycling and renewal facility in the USA. The 5.3 million square-foot site will include a plastics renewal process to sustainably recycle all types of plastic waste.

A report by Global Market Insights has projected the significant growth in the fertilizer market in the background of the rising population and growing demand for food across the globe.

On Day 1 of Achema Pulse, a session was held on ‘Modular Production: Transforming the Process Industry with BioPhorum (global) and ICES, AA*STAR (Singapore)’. Gabriel Loh, Team Leader at the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences in Singapore and Clare Simpson, Technology Roadmapping Phorum Lead at Bio Phorum presented their views on the activities in the biopharmaceutical sector by BioPhorum and the research activities in Singapore by A*STAR.

Coperion is supplying an extrusion system to Ghent University in Belgium for comprehensive research and development tasks in chemical recycling of mixed plastic waste. The company designed this laboratory system, built upon a ZSK 18 Megalab twin screw extruder, especially for chemical recycling of post-consumer waste within a throughput range of 1-10 kg per hour.

BASF and Mitsui Chemicals have launched a collaborative study to promote a circular economy for plastics in Japan. Mitsui Chemicals has plans to become carbon-neutral by 2050 and thus, aims at developing recycling technologies.

Vertellus will acquire IM Chemicals, a specialty chemical manufacturer, under an agreement signed between both the parties. The move is in line with Vertellus’ strategy of becoming a leading global provider of specialty chemicals and solutions.

At Achema Pulse, an exclusive interview was conducted with Dr. Klaus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer at Covestro in Germany. The focus of the interaction revolved around the concept of a fully circular economy with zero emissions and how this vision can become a reality. Helena Carmen Felixberger was the presenter on behalf of Dechema.

Despite challenges brought about by the pandemic, products featuring technology from Profibus & Profinet International (PI) have been very well accepted by users. With the total number of PI products so far installed at plants has exceeded 104 million, an impressive threshold has been crossed.

Casale has recently delivered a new High-Pressure stripper made with Uremium 29 components to Grupa Azoty Puławy’s urea plant 2 in Poland. Uremium 29 is the latest alloy which offers very high resistance to carbamate induced corrosion.

NGK Insulators has recently announced the ‘NGK Group Environmental Vision for 2050’ along with its Fifth Five-Year Environmental Action Plan, which commences from FY2021. The Action Plan includes initiatives toward carbon neutrality, a recycling-oriented society, and harmony with nature, in line with the Environmental Vision.