Many refineries have been in operation for decades. Over this time, operating parameters may have shifted resulting in operation outside the original design of equipment. Reviewing current design criteria against current operation is a recommended action for all refiners. This article will explain the current state-of-the-art criteria for process design and metallurgy selection.

For companies in the process industry, increasing global competition and enormous time and cost pressure require special solutions. The software solutions for integrated engineering from Siemens represent a very promising approach to improving competitiveness. They enable integrated plant management throughout all phases of the lifecycle.

BASF and bse Engineering signed an exclusive joint development agreement for BASF to provide custom made catalysts for a new chemical energy storage process.

Chemists led by Prof. Frank Glorius from the University of Münster have developed a new and practical synthetic method for the formation of fluorinated three-dimensional “saturated” molecular ring structures. This development can have great importance for the efficient production of new molecules and, consequently, new drugs, crop protection agents and functional materials.

BASF New Business has acquired 100 % of the filament producer Innofil 3D, headquartered in Emmen, Netherlands. Approval from antitrust authorities is not required.

Dairy and cheese production is by no means a business of hillbilly herdsmen: To ensure sustained maximum quality and productivity, big dairies regularly invest large sums in the modernization of their production plants — using the latest automation technology and process control systems.

Biopharmaceutical segment occupies around 75 per cent in the pi-chart of the Indian Biotechnology sector, which is on a fast-growth track – targeting to reach $10-billion revenue by 2015 from $4 billion posted in the last fiscal. Bangalore-based Sartorius Stedim India is all set to boost this growth. In an exclusive interview with PROCESS India, Amit Chatterjee, Managing Director of the company, reveals his company’s strength and service strategy for the Indian market.

Mærsk has signed an agreement to sell their complete oil business to Total for $ 7.45 billion in a combined share and debt transaction.

How well does industry manage water resources? The general tendency today is to take a holistic systems approach. More process water is being recirculated and industrial producers are recovering reusable substances and water treatment chemicals. Companies are also taking a new approach to effluent management. Partial flows are being diverted at an early stage, making treatment easier and less expensive. Technology is even available which can virtually eliminate effluent. Industrial water management will be one of three focal topics at ACHEMA 2015, the world's leading fair and exhibition for chemical and process industries.

Solvay announced the commissioning of a world class hydrogen peroxide plant at Ma Ta Phut, Thailand. The jointly operation of Solvay and Dow produces 330,000 tons of hydrogen peroxide per year for a nearby propylene oxide production.