The shale gas bonanza in the US is inundating European and especially German industrial plant manufacturers with new projects. But the challenges associated with increasing project size affect not only EPC suppliers but also owner engineers at chemical companies.

Belgian based chemicals company Solvay announced plans to build a new vanillin production facility in Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, PR China. With the new plant, the company expects to boost its production capacities for this agent by 40% as well as enabling the Group to better serve the fast-growing Asian market.

Though latexes are very versatile and can be used to enhance a product’s performance characteristics, this article will identify and explain why one type of pumping technology— air-operated double -diaphragm, also known as AODD—is ideal for the demands of latex-handling.

Fast and easy data integration into control systems: wireless communications in Brownfield applications—When it comes to using wireless technology in the process industry, system operating companies have objected for a few years now that wireless communication is too insecure in terms of reliability and security. In addition, they believe that data is transmitted too slowly. But the times have changed!

German based speciality chemicals giant Lanxess plans to streamline its rubber chemicals production by shutting down a South African plant and bundle activities in the US and Europe.

Ascend Performance Materials announced its plans to increase production capacity across its intermediate chemicals and polymers portfolio by 10 to 15 % to support the continued growth of its customers.

Pharmaceutical giant Roche relies on Almatec AODD pumps to handle waste solvents safely—Air-operated double-diaphragm pumps from German manufacturer Almatec have proved an ideal solution for Roche, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers, in handling waste solvents, many of which are flammable, toxic, or both. A relationship spanning 25 years was first built on Almatec’s A-Series pumps, and now continues thanks to the company’s economic and efficient E-Series models.

Plastic IBCs (intermediate bulk containers) from Schütz can now carry TDI (toluene diisocyanate), thanks to a barrier coating of EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) copolymer.

Haldor Topsøe plans to profit from the current demand for catalysts: The company recently opened a large extension of its catalyst plant plant in Frederikssund, Denmark. Especially refineries and petrochemical plants, but also ammonia facilities drive the global demand for catalysts, the firm believes.

Sometimes, what it takes to get the job done is highly specialised equipment. Nevertheless, quite often universal all-rounder units with their high flexibility have a lead: By combining process steps like sterilizing, crystallizing, calcining, coating or reacting substances, modern paddle dryers can be used in a variety of applications.