The times in which one could optimise process developments or regulation in isolation are long past. Nevertheless, there is still obviously a lack of mutual understanding between chemical/process engineers and the colleagues in process automation technology. What is the reason for this, and how can it be changed? NAMUR chairman Wilhelm Otten, leader of business line technology at Evonik Industries, faced this and many further questions by PROCESS—and makes a clear plea for process automation technology.

The joint venture project is expected to be an integral part of Saudi Aramco’s refining, fuels marketing and chemicals business strategies which will enable it to strengthen its position in the Southeast Asia region.

Frost & Sullivan’s recent intelligence, Global Analysis of Battery Materials Market, Forecast to 2023, examines the battery materials used in lead-acid and Li-ion batteries. The study finds that China, Japan and South Korea in Asia-Pacific (Apac) are proving to be lucrative markets for Lithium (Li)-ion battery material suppliers.

Celanese concluded the sale of its atmospheric (vinyl and acrylics) emulsions unit in La Canonja, Spain. The Tarragona-based petrochemical company IQOXE is acquiring the operation The company is specialized in the production of ethylene oxide, glycols and ethylene oxide derivatives. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

The nitrogen and phosphate complex produces an annual production capacity of 200 kilo tonnes of ammonia, 500 kilo tonns of nitrates and 700 kilo tonnes of phosphate fertiliser. The acquisition aims at strengthening the company’s position in Brazil.

Specialty chemical producer Clariant believes that it is now on equal footing again with its competitors after a series of painful cutbacks. The Clariant Excellence Initiative, launched in 2009, forms the nucleus of an improvement process which extends to all areas of the corporation starting with production. PROCESS spoke with Dr. Michael Riedel, who is in charge of the Excellence Initiative, about the challenges created by the change process.

How screw pumps strip out even highly viscous media – When emptying an oil or fuel tank (a process refferd to as stripping), quite often residual product of the highly viscous media is left behind. But does it have to be that way? Pumps with excellent intake at low NPSHr values can in fact completely empty tanks – even of crude oil and bitumen. And one technology in particular outperforms the rest...

More from less — that was the slogan of the More project, whose goal was the definition of real-time indicators for more resource efficiency in the process. But how to monitor the complex production processes of a cracker? The two consortium participants Ineos and S-Pact developed a ready-to-use feed stream analyser based on Raman Spectroscopy. A real success story paid off in cash.

With its pilot plant in Duisburg/Germany ThyssenKrupp builds a bridge between coke plants and Christmas baking. Because the new plant uses a newly developed process, that converts process gases into the baking powder ammonium bicarbonate.

5,600 billion Euros is the ultimate Grand Prix for chemicals. But the winner is by no means identified — The chemical industry experienced above-average growth globally. With this development, chemical companies could pocket 5,600 billion Euros per year till 2035. But the global distribution is not equal: The North American market is growing strongly whereas the market in Europe has stagnated. The consequence: The significance of the old continent could get marginalized for this industry. There is still time to change course.