Industrial plants are increasingly using smart and advanced technologies such as autonomous drones and autonomous robots to monitor plant operations, carry out internal plant inspections, enable predictive maintenance, track emissions as well as ensure the safety of their plant personnel. Combined, these innovations could revolutionize industrial plant monitoring and safety like never before.

For years, CSL Behring has consistently relied on dynamic process simulation linked to live production data. The result: more robust operations, faster ramp-ups, rolling maintenance instead of major shutdowns, and measurably higher productivity. For the biotech company, process simulation is now a mandatory requirement in major investment tenders.

Europe’s chemical industry is sliding into crisis as rising energy costs, weak demand, and dwindling investments force widespread plant shutdowns. Without swift policy intervention, the region risks losing its industrial backbone to competitors in lower cost, faster growing markets.

Ceresana will be organizing the ‘Future of Bioplastics’, an online event on bioplastics from September 10-11, 2025. Experts from well-known and innovative companies will present insightful information on the innovations and trends, practical examples, and economic perspectives related to the biopolymers sector.

Sanofi has appointed Belen Garijo as its new Chief Executive Officer. She will be taking over the post from Paul Hudson and will focus on strengthening the productivity, governance, and innovation capacity of Research & Development.

The European Chemical Closures & Investments Radar 2022-2025 report, commissioned by Cefic and prepared by Roland Berger shows that chemical plant closures in Europe, has surged sixfold since 2022, reaching a cumulative 37 mt of capacity – or around 9 % of European production capacity – and resulting in the loss of 20,000 direct jobs in the chemical industry.

With an aim to strengthen the competitiveness of its global assets, Solvay has plans to adjust its soda ash production capacity at its Torrelavega plant in Spain from 600 kilotons to 420 kilotons.

Under a strategic cooperation agreement between Clariant and Shanghai Electric, both the companies will jointly work together to foster innovation in sustainable energy solutions in China.

Australia could meet a significant portion of Europe's hydrogen demand in the future — provided that the supply chain via the port of Rotterdam works. An international study involving Fraunhofer ISE is now investigating the technical and economic conditions for large-scale supply of green ammonia from Western Australia.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has successfully produced 99 % pure hydrogen at its ammonia cracking pilot plant using steam as the heating source. Compared to conventional technologies that utilize heat from burner combustion, MHI's steam heating system operates at lower reaction temperatures, thus reducing operating costs.