Methanol could be the answer of the one big question of the petrochemistry: How to become more independent from crude oil? Again China is being a trailblazer. A lot of Chinese plants convert methanol to petrochemicals. Scientists at ETH Zurich have now deciphered the complex chemistry behind the start of this process.

Chemieanlagenbau Chemnitz GmbH (CAC) has announced the completion of its first chlor-alkali electrolysis plant in Germany.

How can operators ascertain whether a pump is deficient and a failure imminent? The traditional approach: Installing sensors, e.g. for structure-borne noise, pressure, temperature, flow, power consumption, bearing position, at critical points and continuously evaluating the collected data. For non-critical applications, there is an easier way: A drop in energy efficiency indicates a possible problem.

Location has been the key to success in petrochemicals: playing in emerging markets and accessing cheap feedstock. As the industry shifts, companies will have to work harder on core capabilities and strategy, a study published by McKinsey reveals.

Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing is growing rapidly. Main reasons are the expiring drug patents and that India is known to have low-cost manufacturing centers.

On August 1st, 2013, Karsten Radtke took over as Chief Executive Officer of Uhde Corporation of America, a business partner of ThyssenKrupp Uhde. The current economic trends in the US are good news for Uhde Corporation of America, which has offices in Greenwood Village, Colorado and Bridgeville, Pennsylvania.

Chemical companies are filling up plant order books: Between 2005 and 2015, global investment in the sector increased by nearly a factor of three and currently stands at more than $ 200 billion. Most of these plants are based on conventional design and construction, but the engineering departments at chemical companies and EPC contractors are about to make major changes to the engineering process.

The Indian plastics industry is at par with its global counterparts. It has been growing at an increased pace despite challenging economic conditions. Subhash K Kadakia, president of Plastindia Foundation and Managing Director of Kadakia Plastics & Chemicals, talks about the industry and how it can boost the growth of other sectors in the country. Here are a few excerpts from an interview with PROCESS India.

Haldor Topsoe announced its plan to close Topsoe Fuel Cell, a subsidiary company within the Topsoe group focused on the development and commercialization of components and technology for high temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC).

Linde officially has opened its new Pilot Reformer research facility at Pullach near Munich, Linde’s largest location worldwide. The reformer will be used to refine steam reforming technology for the production of synthesis gas — a mixture consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The carbon feedstock for synthesis gas can be in the form of natural gas, liquid petroleum gas, naphtha or even carbon dioxide.