There is a number of obstacles which can make the transport of raw materials considerably more complicated and expensive. In many cases local factors such as mountainous terrain, heavily populated areas or wide rivers interfere with a smooth material flow. There is an alternative system of transport with which almost all obstacles can be overcome.

For the 6th year, the trade journal PROCESS presented the Innovation Award in recognition of ingenious new or enhanced technologies. Prizes were awarded in six categories during a ceremony at Powtech 2013.

Project management can become the make–it–or–break–it–factor for engineering ventures, experts agree. While tight schedules and limited budgets put pressure on all EPC ventures, adapting the right strategy can help to make your project a success.

The disk mill Granomat JP from Fuchs is based on the stator-rotor principle and could be used for pastes, crushing, emulsifying and grinding.

Flottweg will present a special decanter centrifuge for soft sediment. The Sedicanter separates solids from liquids.

Saudi Arabia ventures further into the downstream business: Regulatory authorities had recently approved plans of the joint–venture company Saudi Butanol Company (Sabuco), to build the world’s largest butanol plant in Jubail...

The new facility Pfieffewiesen of B. Braun Melsungen AG in Germany is a masterpiece of engineering – from architecture to logistics to the office organisation. The core is the ‘Leading Infusion Factory Europe (LIFE),’ the most modern manufacturing of infusion solutions in Europe. LIFE was automated with excellent valve terminal technology in pre-assembled cabinets from Festo.

In addition to the first renewable Penta called Voxtar, Perstorp has now added two new bio-based products to its portfolio: Evyron (partly renewable TMP) and Neeture (partly renewable Neo).

Royal DSM and the industrial bioscience company Amyris have enhanced their strategic alliance through the sale of Amyris Brasil Ltda to DSM and the establishment of a long-term manufacturing partnership for Amyris’ high-volume products.

Roughly 50 % or more of substances used in the chemical industry are solids which need to be processed, handled and transported, so it is hardly surprising that exhibitors and visitors at ACHEMA have an interest in bulk solids technology. A learning curve is associated with the handling of powder and granulate.