Nova-Institute publishes the first results of a multi-client market survey of the international bioplastics market: 25 companies have developed production capacity at 30 sites worldwide of over 180,000 tons of polylactic acid (PLA), one of the leading bio-based plastics. PLA is used mainly in packaging, but it also has a large number of other durable applications.

Gharda Plastics, the performance polymers division of Gharda Chemicals, launched its specialty lubricious solution for industrial and business appliances. Now the company wants to boost it's polymers production capacity with a new process plant...

BASF started the construction of a new plant for the production of the base material DHDPS (dihydroxy diphenyl sulfone) in Ludwigshafen, Germany in mid January this year.

Sasol has inaugurated its new ethylene purification unit, known as the Ethylene Purification Unit 5 (EPU5), in Sasolburg/South Africa. Located at the Sasol Polymers Plant in Sasolburg, the R1.9 billion ethylene purification unit aims to address the growing demand for polyethylene material. According to Sasol, the plant will also ensure better utilisation of the company’s existing downstream polyethylene facilities.

In contrast to lithium-ion cells currently in use, solid state batteries will consist only of solids and will no longer contain flammable liquid electrolytes. A cooperation between Empa and the Fraunhofer ISC aims to remove the most important technological barriers to the industrial production of solid-state battery cells.

K2016, the leading fair and expo for plastics and polymers wants to set the industry’s new course between shale gas, feedstock fluctuations and the internet of things — New raw materials. Energy prices. Demand fluctuation: Business as usual is no option for the global plastics industry. The branche is nevertheless cautiously optimistic at the sector fair K — Industry 4.0, light-weight construction and recycling management still promise new perspectives.

Ametek Fluoropolymer Products has launched a new generation of Q-Series filled fluoropolymer heat exchanger tubings with improved performance in severe environments.

Wear of impellers is a problem that is often encountered in mixing applications. It is possible, however, to maximize the lifetime of agitator components by implementing appropriate measures with respect to their shape, coating or solid ceramic design or a combination of the above.

Bulkflow Technologies is a world leader in the indirect heating and cooling of powder and bulk solids in many industries worldwide (chemicals, polymers, fertilizers, detergents, minerals, oilseeds, grains, food products, sugar and biosolids). In the last few years, Bulkflow has introduced this technology to the sugar industry, where it has been established as a proven and effective method of cooling sugar crystals before storage and packaging. The Bulkflow system can be installed as either a primary or a secondary cooler, and is readily adaptable to plant retrofits.

Bayer Technology Services wants to stay on the growth curve. For that to happen, the company has to find the right balance between its internal and external customer base. Dr. Dirk Van Meirvenne, who took over as CEO on June 1st, answered a series of questions from PROCESS Editor-in-Chief Gerd Kielburger.