PROCESS Worldwide brings to you a snapshot of some of the most revolutionary technologies of this year. From major breakthrough technologies in steam methane reforming to solutions analyzing the composition of gas treating agents in real time, find out all the latest innovations making news here.

The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) has requested to hold talks with the European Commission to jointly develop a ‘EU Chemical Industry Transition Pathway’ to assist the industry to transform into a cleaner and more sustainable one. The move has been undertaken in the background of Cefic’s recent study on the business impacts of the Commission’s ‘EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability’ policy.

BASF is all set to launch its digital solution ‘OASE digilab’ this year. The solution is aimed at further improving the efficiency of the gas treatment process by analyzing the composition of the gas treating agents in real time.

BASF announced the construction start of a new methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) synthesis unit at the company’s Verbund site in Geismar, Louisiana, in early Q2 2018.

Lummus Technology has been selected by Korea Petrochemical Ind. Co. (KPIC) to provide a C4 acetylenes selective hydrogenation unit to its Onsan chemical plant in Ulsan, Republic of Korea. The new unit, which is part of the plant’s expansion plan, is expected to process 37,000 MTA of feed, leading to higher production rates of butadiene and raffinate products. The new unit will also prevent the burning of the byproduct stream resulting in lower emissions.

BASF has sold the production site for styrene-butadiene-based paper dispersions in Pischelsdorf, Austria to Synthomer Austria. The agreed purchase price amounts to approx. $ 37 million.

BASF and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have collaborated under a public-funded research project to design a formulation and coating model for multilayered battery coatings as multilayered battery anodes exhibit higher energy density and significantly improve production efficiency.

TrinamiX has introduced its new and affordable, easy-to-use transmission solution which is capable of providing immediate insights into the molecular composition of liquids. The solution does not require Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) expertise and can be used across various industries. With this, the company is set to revolutionize the manner in which NIR spectroscopy of liquids will be performed in the future.

BASF and SVOLT will collaborate on cathode active materials (CAM) development, raw materials supply and battery recycling for SVOLT’s battery cells. The move is expected to improve the R&D capabilities of both the companies in sustainable battery materials, strengthen their competitiveness in China and across the globe as well as accelerate global progress towards carbon neutrality.

Chemicals group BASF announced the commercial launch of a next-generation Carbon Monoxide (CO) promoter additive. Enable enhances activity and delivers superior performance for refiners with more efficient use of precious metal, the company announced.