The trend to increased specialization and higher-potency active ingredients creates the need for hermetically sealed process flows. Government regulations are also becoming stricter. To an increasing extent, the production process will have to be designed as a containment system. Containment (at least in the pharmaceutical industry) is nothing new. It is actually a long-term trend. Nevertheless, expertise in this field is not evenly distributed.

Chemical companies continue to build new plants. Between 2005 and 2015, global investment in the chemical industry increased by nearly a factor of three and currently stands at more than $ 200 billion. But this rapidly growing market also has growing challenges. This Achema trend reports sheds some light on current mega-projects and the impact this development has on engineering companies.

Lanxess is strengthening its commitment to Brazil with three major new investments totaling roughly € 30 million, which will create more than 100 jobs. The investments will support the growing trend toward green mobility in the Latin American country. Lanxess’ high-tech materials will offer innovative solutions to the growing local automotive market.

Scaling, fouling and oxidation are the natural enemies of reverse osmosis (RO) systems in water treatment—especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Proper process monitoring and control of critical parameters such as pH, ORP, conductivity, flow, temperature and differential pressure can provide advanced warning and protection of scaling, fouling or chemical attacked. If early warnings are ignored, the membrane may become irreparably damaged.

“Where ideas become solutions”—the theme of this year’s Global User Exchange for Emerson Process Management. Around 2,600 participants came together to share their experience covering all aspects of process automation in the US capital, Washington DC. One of the main topics was wireless. PROCESS reports to you from the
conference.