In 2009, the SGL Group’s Process Technology Business Unit changed tact and began taking the initiative by deciding to act rather than react. When PROCESS paid Frank Wittchen, who is in charge of the BU, a visit, he explained why he prefers to reach out to customers and outlined what he means by the 3D strategy...

Akzo Nobel's Specialty Chemicals business is studying plans to expand production of high-purity vacuum salt at its Delfzijl site in the Netherlands. The project would increase output at the facility by around 25 %.

A new 360,000 tons/year cumene production plant project in shanghai will use proprietary technology from Badger Licensing: Cepsa Chemical Shanghai selected Badger to provide proprietary technology for the grassroots plant in Shanghai.

Hidden champion and pump manufacturer Lewa is operating in almost all parts of the world—Nikkiso of Japan acquired the German company in 2009. Lewa has in-depth expertise in metering systems. Its innovative strengths and willingness to continually evolve lay the foundation for sustained business excellence. The company operates under the direction of a three-man German/Japanese senior management team. Chief Marketing Officer Stefan Glasmeyer provided an insight into the underlying strategy.

Steeper Energy, a Danish-Canadian biofuel company, is partnering with Silva Green Fuel, a Norwegian-Swedish joint venture, to construct a € 50.6 million industrial scale demonstration plant at a former pulp mill located in Tofte, Norway leading to a future commercial scale project.

Located at the Verbund site, the annual capacity of the plant is expected to reach 80,000 metric tons, on expansion. This move will further strengthen strategic success between the two companies.

The trend towards smaller cleanroom units is obvious. No matter if you look at pharmaceutical industry or at medical technology. And the cleanroom becomes mobile. Ideas how to develope cleanroom technology often come from other disciplines...

Thyssen Krupp supplies stainless steel for a Hungarian biogas facility. Since the media and feedstock used in biogas processes are extremely corrosive, the vessels have to meet high demands.

Nexam Chemical will deliver an initial order of Nexamite for production of multifunctional masterbatch to KWI Polymers in Canada.

What formula is the pharmaceutical industry developing in the face of constantly increasing costs? How are companies coping with the growing regulatory pressure? What will production be like in tomorrow's world? There were serious topics on the agenda at the 20th anniversary of ISPE-DACH in Hamburg/Germany.