From mining big data to preventive error detection – This year’s Process Management Academy (PMA) presented by ARC Advisory Group and PROCESS was focused on the more holistic approach of process and asset management. But, despite all technological developments, people remain the factor that makes or breaks a given system…

The food vs. fuel debate has cast a dark shadow over the potentials of biofuels - now second generation processes aim to untap to huge heaps of biogenic residues that forestry and agriculture produce. One of them, the Bioliq process of KIT and Air Liquide, announces anew milestone; The start up of the second stage of its pilot plant...

Batteries are the key technology for the electromobility of the future. Over the next five years, BASF will be investing a three-digit million euro sum in researching, developing and the production of battery materials. Part of the investment is being channeled into the construction of a production plant for advanced cathode materials.

Fluid Components International (FCI) has launched the new ST100 series of continuous thermal mass flow meters. The devices are able to measure gas mass flow rates, total flow, temperature and pressure depending on the model family.

Carbonization processes such as pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) expected to fulfil important roles in future bio-refinery concepts. However, until now a major problem is: These processes form waste waters that contain various environmental hazardous substances. Researchers in Potsdam/Germany seem to crack it.

Technip, leader of a joint venture with Fluor, was awarded a Program Management Consultancy (PMC) contract by Petronas for the Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) project located in the state of Johor, Malaysia.

At a pilot facility in Singapore, Siemens has cut the energy needed to desalinate seawater by more than 50 percent. The plant processes 50 cubic meters of water per day, consuming only 1.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity per cubic meter. The most efficient desalination technique currently in use is reverse osmosis, which consumes more than twice as much energy.

Yara International and BASF Group have agreed to build a world scale ammonia plant at BASF’s site in Freeport, Texas. The plant will use hydrogen as raw material, reducing capital expenditures (capex), maintenance and carbon dioxide emissions significantly.

Evonik Industries has dissolved its joint venture with Chinese partner Sanzheng Fine Chemicals. This comprises the cyanuric chloride plants in Yingkou and Chongqing, which supplied the agrochemicals markets in the region. The decommissioned Chongqing site remains with Evonik.

Oxea's new oxo derivatives production in China is well on time: Construction works for the plant have just begun, with completion scheduled for late 2013.