Ineos Styrolution, Trinseo, and Agilyx have collaborated to establish the first of its kind polystyrene chemical recycling plant in Europe. The new commercial scale facility is expected to process up to 50 tonnes-per-day of post-consumer PS feedstock.

It may just be “nothing,” but this “nothing” really packs a punch! Without vacuum, many everyday things would be impossible — whether spectacles, smartphones, medicines or foodstuffs with a long shelf life. Pfeiffer Vacuum has been synonymous for high-quality vacuum technology for over 125 years. And it is not just the technology itself that makes the company stand out, but above all its feeling for the different challenges faced by particular industries.

Many of the innovative pump models introduced by SPX Flow are specifically designed to address challenges faced by the chemical, petrochemical, power and oil industries. The specialised pumps offer numerous benefits such as increased efficiency, enhanced reliability, reduced installation footprint, reduced weight, protection against leakages and high metering accuracy.

The project has been awarded by SCE Chemicals and is expected to produce caustic soda, hydrochloric acid and sodium hypochlorite chlorine. The new Chlor-Alkali Plant is scheduled to be complete by 2020.

Fluence Analytics intends to use the new funds to support its paid proof of performance trials, expand sales activities, and invest in new hardware and software capabilities. The investment comes post the startup announcing a Series A-1 funding round.

Ernesto Occhiello has resigned due to personal reasons and his post will now be temporarily headed by Hariolf Kottmann, the company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors until a new head is appointed.

Slump in sales and trade crises: The chemical industry in Europe in general and Germany in particular had a bumpy start into 2019. The downward trend of 2018 intensified during the first half of the year, as important customer industries are weakening and the special effects of the pharmaceutical industry are starting to slow. Recovery is unlikely in the face of international uncertainty. Is that the low point or the beginning of a longer downtrend?

Evonik is reorganizing its business for high-performance polymers within the polyamide group. The specialty chemicals company has already begun construction of a new polyamide 12 (PA 12) facility complex and is expanding its production of transparent polyamides at the Marl Chemical Park. As part of the reorganization process, the company will withdraw entirely from the polyphthalamide (PPA) business at the Witten site.

Chemical giant BASF reports the spillage of several hundred kilogramm of chemicals into the river Rhine.

Haiwan Chemical Co. has awarded KBR with a technology contract in order to construct a new 320,000 tonnes per annum phenol and acetone plant in China. Under the contract, KBR will provide technology license and basic engineering design as well as technical and training services to Haiwan Chemical.