The aim of the European Plastics Pact is to improve the use of plastics as well as its recycling. Signatories of this pact are expected to develop new techniques and approaches, share knowledge, harmonise guidelines and standards, and reduce current barriers for this purpose.

“Go West”: German machines and process equipment manufacturer Gea brings its hygienic pump solutions to US markets. To support user industries right on the spot, Gea has built up the service network and a local assembly. Now, the company wants to bring its proven hygienic Hilge pumps (which are among the market leaders in Europe) to the US dairy, pharmaceutical, food and beverage markets.

Under a joint development agreement, Technip FMC and Clariant will work towards the demonstration and commercialisation of Clariant’s new Acrylomax propylene ammoxidation catalyst which is used for the production of acrylonitrile.

Celanese (Nanjing) Chemical has extended its contract with Nanjing Chengzhi Clean Energy Co. Under the terms of the agreement, the carbon monoxide feedstock will be supplied to Celanese’s acetic acid plant in Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province.

Digitalization and Industry 4.0 have arrived in the process industry — a lot more quickly and with far greater penetration than some would have believed of this generally conservative, safety-minded sector. It was precisely the process automation experts for the large chemical companies who recognized the potential opportunities at an early stage, and drove forward the required developments, particularly the necessary standardization. Siemens is amongst the pace-setters on the supplier side. In the course of this progression, the supplier of automation and electrification engineering has become a software giant able to offer its customers a digital solution for practically every challenge.

Jeplan’s chemical recycling technology is capable of producing sustainable plastic resins that are of the same quality as conventional petroleum-based polyester resins. Yokogawa’s partnership with Jeplan is in line with its sustainability goals of making the transition to a circular economy.

With an expected production capacity of up to 1 million tonnes of ethylene and refined oil per year post expansion, the Hainan project will prove beneficial for the growth of downstream industries in China.

Leybold has recently expanded its Turbovac i/ix series - 90, 250, 350 and 450 - by the sizes 850 i/ix and 950 i/ix to six models. The two new turbomolecular pump variants are characterised by extended, trouble-free operation, longer system life and lower operating costs.

The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) believes that there is a need to revise the current legislative and policy framework in Europe order to meet the goal of climate neutrality in the future.

The contract has been awarded by Groupement Bir Seba to carry out engineering, procurement and construction activities for the ‘Bir Seba Phase II and Mouiat Outlad Messaoud Field Development’ Project, in Algeria.