Lotte Chemical UK has commissioned Uhde Inventa-Fischer and Jacobs Engineering to build a plant for the production of high-quality PET. The new plant will have a production capacity of 200 000 tonnes per year and will be located at Lotte’s production facility at the Wilton International site, near to Middlesbrough, UK

On first sight process requirements in urban mining seem to be much less complex as in the classical mining of primary ore bodies since numerous metals are available in high concentrations. Anyhow the presence of many different metals makes the separation to pure end products very demanding and complex.

Axalta Coating Systems has invested to expand and to optimize manufacturing capabilities for its Alesta brand at its powder coatings production facilities in Landshut, Germany.

Saudi Aramco has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire the majority share in Sabic from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. The deal is anticipated to prove beneficial for the development of the petrochemicals industry in the country.

Laboratory and pharmaceutical supplier Sartorius has opened a new bioreactor manufacturing plant in Cuxhagen, Germany. The new 10,000 square feet building complex provides space for a high-tech manufacturing hall and offices for around 240 employees, replacing Sartorius former facility in Melsungen, Germany, that had reached maximum capacity limits.

Evonik strengthens its position in the growing Resource Efficiency market with the acquisition of the silica business of US company J.M. Huber. This US $ 630 million deal shall expand the product portfolio of the German specialty chemicals with customer specific solutions as well as contributing to their presence in overseas key markets.

One industry sector is responsible for more than one half of construction spending by manufacturing in the United States: American chemistry is going strong and stronger. Despite uncertainties and contractions, the sector grows steadily. And the best might be yet to come…

United Chemical Company Shchekinoazot has selected Haldor Topsoe as licensor of ammonia technology for the construction of a new ammonia and urea plant. Located in the Tula region of Russia, the plant will have a capacity of 1,500 tonnes of ammonia per day and 2,000 tonnes of urea per day.

LyondellBasell restarts its methanol plant at Channelview, Texas, on schedule to take advantage of the low cost feedstock from US shale gas. The unit had been out of service since 2004 due to the rising cost of natural gas, the key feedstock for methanol production.

More and more sealless canned motor pumps are being employed for the conveying of liquefied gases. They are distinguished by operational safety, an extremely low level of noise, low life cycle costs and in particular by the high degree of environmental friendliness, alongside their compactness and easy installation. They are a safe alternative to conventional centrifugal pumps and magnetic drive pumps.