The Emirati company Helios plans to build the Gulf state's first commercial plant for CO2-free ammonia in Abu Dhabi. Engineering planning for the green hydrogen-ammonia project has been entrusted to Thyssenkrupp.

Axalta Coating Systems has invested to expand and to optimize manufacturing capabilities for its Alesta brand at its powder coatings production facilities in Landshut, Germany.

Saudi Aramco has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire the majority share in Sabic from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. The deal is anticipated to prove beneficial for the development of the petrochemicals industry in the country.

Laboratory and pharmaceutical supplier Sartorius has opened a new bioreactor manufacturing plant in Cuxhagen, Germany. The new 10,000 square feet building complex provides space for a high-tech manufacturing hall and offices for around 240 employees, replacing Sartorius former facility in Melsungen, Germany, that had reached maximum capacity limits.

Eneos has plans to demonstrate hydrogen extraction from methylcyclohexane (MCH) at its refining facilities in Japan. The move is claimed to be the first MCH dehydrogenation demonstration project using existing refining facilities in the country.

Plug Power breaks ground for a new green hydrogen production facility in Georgia, USA which is expected to produce 15 tons of liquid green hydrogen daily. With this move, the company intends to continue its aim of establishing the first North American green hydrogen supply network.

The world of bulk material handling seems easy at first glance: moving, filling, delivering. The art of dealing with a variety of different materials, however, lies in the details, such as the docking and undocking of containers at weighing stations. In the process, cross-contaminations and the release of dusts can occur. Azo Clean Dock prevents this problem. Its latest generation can do even more: it “thinks” for itself.

Evonik strengthens its position in the growing Resource Efficiency market with the acquisition of the silica business of US company J.M. Huber. This US $ 630 million deal shall expand the product portfolio of the German specialty chemicals with customer specific solutions as well as contributing to their presence in overseas key markets.

The cause of the UK’s high-profile Buncefield oil storage depot explosion in 2005? Overflow during remote filling of a storage tank. Disasters like this led to process industries adopting strict safety and environmental regulations, which you are likely quite familiar with. But some problems in the life of a plant manager aren’t always severe enough to reach international news headlines. However, even overfilling a tank with a fairly benign material can cause major headaches for a company.

One industry sector is responsible for more than one half of construction spending by manufacturing in the United States: American chemistry is going strong and stronger. Despite uncertainties and contractions, the sector grows steadily. And the best might be yet to come…