With natural gas prices down by three-quarters since 2005, cheap raw materials and energy fuel the US reindustrialisation. Market analyst IHS believes that up to € 70 billion will be invested by 2025, doubling North America’s production of basic chemicals and plastics — is America the promised land for the process industry?

As of April 1, 2016, Dr. Robert Gnann (51) has taken over as president of Wacker Silicones. He succeeds Dr. Christian Hartel, who was appointed to the Wacker Group’s Executive Board in early November 2015.

Process digitalization: The Solvay/Butachimie chemical platform in Chalampé is an illustrative example for the factory of the future — Using the simulation tool Simit from Siemens the company realizes the changeover from the previously used process control system to the PCS 7 system, which is a Siemens tool too.

The times in which one could optimise process developments or regulation in isolation are long past. Nevertheless, there is still obviously a lack of mutual understanding between chemical/process engineers and the colleagues in process automation technology. What is the reason for this, and how can it be changed? NAMUR chairman Wilhelm Otten, leader of business line technology at Evonik Industries, faced this and many further questions by PROCESS—and makes a clear plea for process automation technology.

Celanese concluded the sale of its atmospheric (vinyl and acrylics) emulsions unit in La Canonja, Spain. The Tarragona-based petrochemical company IQOXE is acquiring the operation The company is specialized in the production of ethylene oxide, glycols and ethylene oxide derivatives. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Speciality chemicals firm Lanxess launches its second production line for high-performance plastics compounding in Gastonia, North Carolina, thus completing its US $ 15 million dollar expansion project.

Elix Polymers has announced a new investment amounting to $ 4.7 million, to optimize its ABS powder production facilities in Tarragona, Spain. The company expects to begin executing this new project in 2018, which it will continue to develop and consolidate throughout this year and 2019.

Scientists at the University of Würzburg have chemically modified the enzyme levansucrase using a new method. The enzyme can now produce sugar polymers that are interesting for applications in the food industry and medicine.

Songwon brings its new state-of-the-art joint venture manufacturing plant in Abu Dhabi on-stream: The site, operated together with Polysys and Pan Gulf Holding produces additives for a variety of regional customers.

The US site produces precursors for agrochemicals however; Evonik now has plans to focus more on its specialty chemicals business and intends to do away with assets that are not in line with its growth businesses.