How modern insulation systems increase energy efficiency—What works for people, also works in this particular case for chemical plants as well: Without the right clothing, energy consumption for heating or cooling to the ideal temperature increases. Potential annual savings of 16124 GWh are there for the taking in the energy-intensive chemical industry. What do companies need to do? PROCESS finds out from insulation manufacturers, industry associations and the chemical industry.

Novasep-MIE consortium to construct the first sorbitol production plant in Vietnam, which would enable the country to domestically produce sorbitol, a sugar substitute it currently imports.

Covestro has begun operations at a new production facility for aqueous polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) at its Dormagen site. Along with a current expansion of production in Barcelona, the company is boosting its capacities in Europe.

How is it possible to transform the predominant mode of resource consumption into a sustainable circular economy? And what options does the industrial sector have for accomplishing this change? Krones has been addressing this question for quite a long time. The answer can be summarised in two words: reduce, recycle.

Syntegon Technology, formerly Bosch Packaging Technology, has introduced two innovations, including its ‘paper-On-form’ upgrade kit for horizontal flow wrapping machines to form cold-sealable barrier paper. The solution was engineered in the company’s own development center in Beringen, Switzerland, and consists of a patented flow-wrap forming unit and sealing jaws for paper cold-sealing applications.

AGC has plans to purchase all the shares of Molecular Medicine (Molmed) for 262 million dollars via a voluntary tender offer. The move is also supported by Fininvest, the largest shareholder in the Italian company.

A Danish consortium led by Brass Fertilizer and Haldor Topsøe has agreed to design and construct a US $ 3.5 billion urea, methanol and gas processing complex on Brass Island, Bayelsa, Nigeria. The proposed project is expected to be the single largest private sector investment in the Niger Delta.

The collaboration aims to create high performance biopolymers which can be used by plastic manufacturers as an alternative to fossil-based plastics for single-use as well as durable applications. Industries such as packaging, electrical & electronic equipment, hygiene products, consumer goods and automotive are expected to benefit from this biopolymer.

Solvay has inaugurated its Solef polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) plant in China, to meet growing global demand for this thermoplastic polymer in energy-efficient, environmental and industrial applications.

Caloric has won the international tender for engineering and construction of a biomethanation pilot & demonstration plant in Solothurn, Switzerland. For the methanation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen, microorganisms are used as biocatalyst.