PROCESS Innovation Award nominates the Champions of Innovations 2015 — A smartphone that understands pumps? A virtual chromatography process? An innovative material? These and many other developments have the potential to fundamentally change the industry. Anyone believing that all significant inventions in the process industry have already been made is much mistaken: At Achema 2015, we have searched for the innovation champions — with surprising results.

Stamicarbon and Hubei Sanning Chemical Industrial have signed contracts for the licensing of technology and the delivery of proprietary equipment for a grass root urea plant with a capacity of 2,334 mtpd, to be built in Zhijiang, Hubei, China.

Saudi Aramco and Total signed a memorandum of understanding to build a giant petrochemical complex in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The project will represent an investment of around $ 5 billion.

World–scale peroxide plant project in Saudi–Arabia: The Saudi Hydrogen Peroxide Company, a joint–venture of Solvay and Sadara, just stated the construction of one of the world's largest hydrogen peroxide plants...

In 2009, the SGL Group’s Process Technology Business Unit changed tact and began taking the initiative by deciding to act rather than react. When PROCESS paid Frank Wittchen, who is in charge of the BU, a visit, he explained why he prefers to reach out to customers and outlined what he means by the 3D strategy...

Akzo Nobel's Specialty Chemicals business is studying plans to expand production of high-purity vacuum salt at its Delfzijl site in the Netherlands. The project would increase output at the facility by around 25 %.

A new 360,000 tons/year cumene production plant project in shanghai will use proprietary technology from Badger Licensing: Cepsa Chemical Shanghai selected Badger to provide proprietary technology for the grassroots plant in Shanghai.

Hidden champion and pump manufacturer Lewa is operating in almost all parts of the world—Nikkiso of Japan acquired the German company in 2009. Lewa has in-depth expertise in metering systems. Its innovative strengths and willingness to continually evolve lay the foundation for sustained business excellence. The company operates under the direction of a three-man German/Japanese senior management team. Chief Marketing Officer Stefan Glasmeyer provided an insight into the underlying strategy.

Located at the Verbund site, the annual capacity of the plant is expected to reach 80,000 metric tons, on expansion. This move will further strengthen strategic success between the two companies.

The trend towards smaller cleanroom units is obvious. No matter if you look at pharmaceutical industry or at medical technology. And the cleanroom becomes mobile. Ideas how to develope cleanroom technology often come from other disciplines...