Engineering begins with an idea at a one-stop specialist for chemical and polymer projects  – Can a process that traces its roots back to the 19th century become even better today? Can the production capacity of a PET plant be enhanced by over 100 % without replacing the main reactor? And can a one-stop engineering provider still have a specific solution for each problem? The answer to all this questions is — yes, with the right ideas.

The company Glatt Ingenieurtechnik will showcase at the Powtech 2013 in Nuremberg the laboratory fluid bed unit ProCell LabSystem Pro. The modular lab system is designed explosion pressure proof and is able to process various material systems such as powders entailing the risk of dust explosion as well as hybrid mixtures.

The world is looking for methods to replace fossil fuels with a carbon-neutral product created from solar energy, carbon dioxide and water. Researchers at Uppsala University have now successfully produced microorganisms that can efficiently produce butanol using carbon dioxide and solar energy, without requiring to use solar cells.

The new line aims to produce polyolefin foams that can be used for automotive interiors. The move was undertaken due to the growing demand for high-performance foams in China. Also, the plant which houses the production line is a ‘zero industrial wastewater’ facility.

Petro Logistics ll will make use of Dow’s proprietary fluidized catalytic dehydrogenation technology for the project which will be located on the US Gulf Coast. The specialised technology is expected to provide enhanced reliability as well as lower capital cost and energy consumption for the plant.

Not much is possible without catalysts: More than 80 % of all chemically manufactured products undergo a catalytic step during their production. The active material is usually platinum or another precious metal, so production is correspondingly expensive and requires several steps. Physicists at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) have now filed a patent application for a process that produces highly active and long-term stable catalyst material in a single step.

Under the terms of the deal, BP will combine its Brazilian biofuels and biopower businesses with Bunge. The move will enable the 50:50 JV to build a world-scale company which is capable of producing highly efficient sugarcane ethanol in Brazil.

Haldor Topsoe has plans to build a 10 kg/hour methanol plant to demonstrate the company’s electrified and extremely compact e SMR Methanol technology for cost-competitive production of sustainable methanol from biogas.

As sponsor of the Namur Annual General Meeting 2019, Phoenix Contact will be presenting implementations all about the topic Namur Open Architecture (NOA) suitable for industrial applications. Read what to expect in detail on November 7/8 in Bad Neuenahr/Germany.

Catherine Mac Gregor has been appointed with an aim to explore opportunities and expand Technip FMC’s portfolio through innovative models and new business lines. Previously, she has held numerous leadership positions involving global operational activities.