The advantages of flexible automation solutions have long been talked about, and now it comes down to putting them into practice. In doing so, the aim is to link the respective smart modules in such a way that the overall plant runs in harmony. ABB shows that it has mastered all the parts in the orchestra.

The larger the reaction vessel, the quicker products can be made – or so you might think. Microreactors show just how wrong that assumption is: in fact, they can be used to produce explosive materials – nitroglycerine, for instance – around ten times faster than in conventional vessels, and much more safely as well. At the ACHEMA trade fair, held June 18-22 in Frankfurt, researchers demonstrate microreactors they use for a very broad range of chemical processes...

Kemira has formed a joint venture called Kemira TC Wanfeng Chemicals Yanzhou (New Co) with TC Wanfeng. The JV is to strengthen the company's position as a global supplier for the pulp & paper industry. The newly formed company will mainly produce AKD wax (Alkyl Ketene Dimers) and its key raw material fatty acid chloride (FACL).

Scientists from Exxon Mobil and the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new technology that could significantly reduce the amount of energy and emissions associated with manufacturing plastics. Results of the research were published in the peer-reviewed journal Science.

An explosion near a large chemical plant in northern China claimed 22 lives and leaves at least as many injured. According to the news agency "The Paper", the detonation occurred next to a loading ramp operated by the plant. 38 trucks and twelve cars exploded.

The company has constructed a new facility to double its production of isobutyric acid. Also, production at the plant is expected to commence in the next few weeks.

The market research company Ceresana analyzed the entire pigment market already for the fifth time: 10 million tonnes were sold worldwide in 2017. The majority was utilized in the industry of Asia-Pacific. Due to above-average growth rates, demand in this region will presumably rise to almost 6.3 million tonnes until 2025. Reaching market shares of 16.5 % and 13.2 % respectively, North America and Western Europe ranked second and third.

Under his new role, Markus Hoschke will be responsible for handling the company’s domestic and international market development efforts. Post his appointment, he will be reporting to the CEO of Oxea, Dr. Salim Al Huthaili.

Operators of process engineering plants fear little more than production downtime. Even for process cooling applications it is essential to find the right filtration solution. Here you can read what you have to take into account.

New flow measurement technology – More often than not it is about inner values, but sometimes, it is also about what is lacking inside. That is the case with ultrapure water, and with a new flow measurement technology which works without any built-in sensors. How does it all come together? With the perfect wave, of course.