Plant Watch Top 10 Engineering Projects of August 2026

Source: Press release Ineos, RWE, Cambrex, Biobtx, Dupont, KBR, Saipem, Axens, Maire, Sunfire 10 min Reading Time

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PROCESS Worldwide brings to you the ‘Top 10 plant engineering projects of August 2026’ from all over the world. Right from Ineos’ Project One modules arriving safely in Antwerp from the Strait of Hormuz to Maire winning multiple contracts worth 50 million euros, find out all the projects making headlines here.

At a glance: Plant engineering projects from across the globe.(Source: ©  sutthichai - stock.adobe.com)
At a glance: Plant engineering projects from across the globe.
(Source: © sutthichai - stock.adobe.com)

1. Ineos Project One Modules Arrive Safely in Antwerp from Strait of Hormuz

The modules were built in Abu Dhabi but their transport to Antwerp was disrupted by the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.(Source:  Ineos)
The modules were built in Abu Dhabi but their transport to Antwerp was disrupted by the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
(Source: Ineos)

August 6 – Ineos has recently taken delivery of the first of the last two modules, at the Port of Antwerp, to complete the Project One cracker. The modules were built in Abu Dhabi but their transport to Antwerp was disrupted by the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. After being trapped for months, the two ships carrying the modules managed to safely pass through the Strait, during the one- week ceasefire in mid-June, arriving in Antwerp six weeks later, via the Suez Canal.

The module transported weighs 6,920 tonnes and is 55 metres high. As such it combines the weight of almost the entire steel structure of the Eiffel Tower with the height of a medium-sized skyscraper, making it one of the most impressive project cargoes to have arrived at the Port of Antwerp in recent years. The module exceeds the weight of the Project One furnaces which, arrived at the Port of Antwerp last year.

The second and final module, weighing 7,200 tonnes, is due to arrive shortly allowing Ineos to complete the plant.

The vessel will remain moored at the quay for a little while longer, as the steel structures protecting the module during overseas transport need to be removed. It will then be placed in position at the heart of the plant.

The mechanical completion of the entire site is scheduled for next summer. The firm aims to start up the cracker in the second half of 2027.

2. Get H2 Nukleus Project: First Hydrogen Reaches Marl in Germany

RWE is commissioning 200 megawatts of electrolysis capacity in Lingen by the end of 2026.(Source:  RWE)
RWE is commissioning 200 megawatts of electrolysis capacity in Lingen by the end of 2026.
(Source: RWE)

August 11 – The first hydrogen produced in the electrolysis in Lingen, Lower Saxony, has reached Marl in the northern Ruhr area. This marks the successful interaction of all components of the integrated Get H2 Nukleus hydrogen project.

As part of the ongoing commissioning process for two 100-megawatt electrolysis plants operated by RWE in Lingen, initial quantities of renewable hydrogen are being produced in accordance with EU rules. They are transported through a pipeline network spanning around 120 kilometres, operated by transmission system operators Nowega and OGE as well as Syneqt, a subsidiary of Evonik, to Evonik’s Marl Chemical Park where the hydrogen is available for industrial production processes.

Parts of Get H2 Nkleus are being funded by the German federal government and the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia as part of the IPCEI programme (Important Projects of Common European Interest) Hy2Infra. The pipelines are among the first sections of the hydrogen core network that is being developed across Germany.

RWE is commissioning 200 megawatts of electrolysis capacity in Lingen by the end of 2026. From 2027, the entire plant is scheduled to operate at a capacity of 300 megawatts. The hydrogen produced in RWE’s electrolysis plants complies with the EU requirements for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO). Customers will receive proof of sustainability, enabling them to include the hydrogen in their decarbonization accounting.

Further pipeline projects linked to Get H2 Nukleus have already been completed or are currently being implemented. These include the 10-kilometre new-build pipeline from Heek to Epe, completed by OGE and Nowega at the end of 2025, connecting the hydrogen storage facility. At the end of 2026, RWE Gas Storage West will begin filling the first commercial cavern storage facility for hydrogen in Europe. The facility is scheduled to start operations in mid-2027. To connect additional industrial customers, OGE and Nowega are also converting an existing pipeline between Legden and Dorsten to carry hydrogen by 2027. In addition, they are constructing a new pipeline from Dorsten to Marl. A further pipeline linking Syneqt’s Marl Chemical Park with the refinery in Gelsenkirchen-Scholven has already been completed.

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3. Cambrex Begins Construction of New R&D Facility in Italy

Cambrex recently announced the start of construction on a new research and development facility at its Milan, Italy site.(Source:  Pixabay)
Cambrex recently announced the start of construction on a new research and development facility at its Milan, Italy site.
(Source: Pixabay)

August 18 – Cambrex recently announced the start of construction on a new research and development (R&D) facility at its Milan, Italy site. This 30-million-dollar investment will add advanced analytical development and process R&D capabilities, alongside upgrades to multiple production plants, reinforcing Cambrex’s commitment to supporting the pharmaceutical industry’s most complex small molecule development.

The Milan R&D expansion is expected to be completed in the second half of 2027. To accommodate future growth and rising demand for CDMO services, Cambrex has also acquired additional land adjacent to the site, ensuring the capacity to expand and innovate for years to come.

The Cambrex Profarmico Milano site, which marks its 80th anniversary this year, has a distinguished legacy of supporting pharmaceutical development and manufacturing for its global client base. The Milan team recently gathered to celebrate this milestone, reflecting on eight decades of scientific achievement and dedication to advancing human health.

The investment builds on Cambrex’s legacy of scientific expertise and manufacturing excellence while positioning the company for its next chapter of growth. By expanding R&D capabilities in Milan, Cambrex is strengthening its ability to address the increasing complexity of today’s small molecule therapies.

4. Biobtx to Build World’s First Fully Sustainable Aromatic Plant

Petra is the first commercial-scale application of Biobtx’s proprietary ICCP (Integrated Catalytic Cracking Process) technology.(Source:  Biobtx)
Petra is the first commercial-scale application of Biobtx’s proprietary ICCP (Integrated Catalytic Cracking Process) technology.
(Source: Biobtx)

August 18 – Biobtx recently announced that it has taken a positive Final Investment Decision (FID) for its Petra project: the world’s first commercial-scale plant converting plastic waste directly into renewable aromatics.

Petra is the first commercial-scale application of Biobtx’s proprietary ICCP (Integrated Catalytic Cracking Process) technology. The plant will produce approximately 10,000 to;nnes of renewable aromatic oil per year, consisting of benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX), along with 8,000 tonnes of sustainable byproducts. Reaching this milestone concludes a 14-year journey from Biobtx’s initial idea in 2012, through lab and pilot scale, to commercial execution and will accelerate the commercialization of renewable aromatics worldwide.

With this key milestone, Biobtx is the first company in the world to realize a fully renewable aromatics plant, an important step on the path to defossilizing the chemical industry. With permits approved and engineering and financing agreements in place, the project now moves into execution. The main equipment suppliers, contractors and partners have been selected, and manufacturing of the process equipment modules has started. On-site construction starts in the beginning of 2027 and start-up of the plant is expected mid-2028.

5. Dupont Selects MBR System for Australia’s Largest Inland Wastewater Treatment Facility

Dupont has recently announced that a MBR system has been selected to support the upgrade of the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre in Canberra, Australia.(Source:  Dupont)
Dupont has recently announced that a MBR system has been selected to support the upgrade of the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre in Canberra, Australia.
(Source: Dupont)

August 18 – Dupont has recently announced that a Memcor membrane bioreactor (MBR) system has been selected to support the upgrade of the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre (LMWQCC) in Canberra, Australia, the largest inland wastewater treatment facility in the country. The Memcor MBR system will significantly expand treatment capacity and continue to produce high-quality effluent for safe discharge.

Owned and operated by Icon Water, the facility is currently undergoing a major upgrade project in collaboration with Seymour Whyte and Vinci Construction Grands Projects to address increasing demand due to population growth. The upgrade includes construction of an additional new secondary treatment process centered on advanced membrane technology. At the core of this process is a Memcor MBR system with a treatment capacity of approximately 97 million liters per day, enhancing the plant’s ability to serve the Canberra region while supporting future growth.

The Lower Molonglo facility has been in operation since the late 1970s and is the primary wastewater treatment plant for the Australian Capital Territory. As Canberra continues to grow, LMWQCC needs to grow with it. The implementation of the MBR technology will provide increased treatment capacity to meet rising demand and equip the city with future-ready infrastructure designed for long-term resilience.

6. KBR Technology Selected for Kazakhstan’s First SAF Production Plant

The project holds significant strategic importance as it supports the President of Kazakhstan’s directive to transform the country into an international aviation hub with strong transit potential.(Source:  Unsplash)
The project holds significant strategic importance as it supports the President of Kazakhstan’s directive to transform the country into an international aviation hub with strong transit potential.
(Source: Unsplash)

August 25 – KBR has recently been awarded a contract by Kazmunaygas-Aero (KMG-Aero), a subsidiary of NC Kazmunaygas JSC, and Kazfoodproducts (KFP) for Kazakhstan’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production plant.

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will license the proprietary Pure SAF technology, invented and developed by Swedish Biofuels, and provide proprietary engineering design. The plant will leverage the alcohol-to-jet (AtJ) process for producing aviation fuel from alcohol-based feedstocks.

The project holds significant strategic importance as it supports the President of Kazakhstan’s directive to transform the country into an international aviation hub with strong transit potential. It will also enable the integration of domestically produced agricultural feedstocks into high-value, low-carbon fuel production value chains.

This award builds on other recent Pure SAF project wins, reinforcing KBR’s position at the forefront of aviation decarbonization through continued process innovation and low-carbon technology deployment.

7. Saipem Wins EPCI Contract in the Middle East

Saipem’s scope encompasses the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation of offshore and subsea facilities.(Source:  Pixabay)
Saipem’s scope encompasses the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation of offshore and subsea facilities.
(Source: Pixabay)

August 25 – Saipem has been awarded an offshore EPCI contract in the Middle East, valued at approximately 1.8 billion dollars.

Saipem’s scope encompasses the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) of offshore and subsea facilities.

The project will leverage Saipem’s proven regional track record in delivering pipeline and offshore infrastructure, supported by its regional vessels and advanced engineering capabilities.

8. Axens, Raízen Announce Successful Start-Up of Gasoline Desulfurization Unit

Axens and Raízen have announced the successful start-up of a Prime-G+ FCC gasoline desulfurization unit at Raízen’s refinery in Argentina.(Source:  Unsplash)
Axens and Raízen have announced the successful start-up of a Prime-G+ FCC gasoline desulfurization unit at Raízen’s refinery in Argentina.
(Source: Unsplash)

August 27 – Axens and Raízen have announced the successful start-up of a Prime-G+ FCC gasoline desulfurization unit at Raízen’s refinery in Argentina, marking the 300th Prime-G+ unit licensed worldwide in 25 years.

The commissioning and start-up of the unit have been completed successfully, enabling Raízen to produce cleaner gasoline in line with stringent environmental specifications. This achievement highlights both companies’ commitment to operational excellence and to reducing the environmental footprint of refining activities.

As part of this project, the unit was delivered using a modular approach, with key process modules engineered and fabricated under Axens responsibility. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 period, all modules were successfully delivered and installed, enabling a safe, smooth, and accelerated start-up. This modular execution significantly reduced onsite activities and allowed faster project delivery compared to conventional stick-built units.

Axens’ Prime-G+ technology is widely recognized as the leading solution for FCC gasoline desulfurization. Today, around 70 % of low-sulfur gasoline globally is produced using Prime-G+ technology, demonstrating its strong market adoption and proven industrial performance.

The technology enables deep desulfurization of gasoline downstream of the FCC unit while ensuring optimal octane retention, a key differentiator for refiners seeking to comply with fuel specifications without compromising product value.

Beyond its superior desulfurization performance, Prime-G+ helps refiners improve energy efficiency while lowering the environmental footprint of FCC gasoline treatment on their sites. This milestone further confirms Axens’ ability to deliver high-performance, flexible and modular refining solutions, tailored to the evolving needs of the industry.

9. Maire Wins Multiple Contracts Worth 50 Million Euros

Maire has recently announced new awards in its Sustainable Technology Solutions business unit for a total amount of approximately 50 million euros.(Source:  Pixabay)
Maire has recently announced new awards in its Sustainable Technology Solutions business unit for a total amount of approximately 50 million euros.
(Source: Pixabay)

August 27 – Maire has recently announced new awards in its Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) business unit for a total amount of approximately 50 million euros, with projects located across Asia, Europe and North America.

Stamicarbon, Nextchem’s nitrogen technology licensing subsidiary, will provide licensing, Process Design Package (PDP), and proprietary equipment for an around 3,500 metric tons per day (MTPD) grassroots urea plant in Asia based on its proprietary Ultra-Low Energy (ULE) design, part of the NX Stami Urea technology portfolio. The Ultra-Low Energy design is among the most energy-efficient urea technologies available on the market, enabling significantly lower steam consumption and operating costs compared to conventional urea processes. The solution incorporates advanced process features and proprietary materials aimed at enhancing equipment reliability, extending asset lifetime, and supporting safe and stable long-term operations.

Furthermore, Stamicarbon has been awarded a proprietary equipment contract in Germany by SKW Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz, a leading German fertilizer producer and operator of one of Europe's largest integrated ammonia and urea production sites. Under the scope of the contract, Stamicarbon will supply three high-pressure urea strippers based on its proprietary NX Stami Urea technology, incorporating advanced design features to deliver significant process improvements. These include debottlenecking, reduced high-pressure steam consumption, and enhanced reliability of the liquid distribution system, incorporating advanced design features to deliver significant process improvements.

Also, Stamicarbon has been awarded a Process Design Package (PDP) contract for a new grassroots urea plant in Canada. The project will be based on its proprietary Launch Melt Conventional Total Recycle technology and will have a production capacity of approximately 1,150 short tons per day (STPD). Under the scope of the contract, Stamicarbon will deliver the Process Design Package for the Feed phase, supporting the advancement of the project toward final investment and execution decisions.

10. Sunfire Breaks Ground for Green Hydrogen Test Facility

From left to right: Anne Francken, Kaufmännische Geschäftsführerin BASF InfraService & Solutions Lausitz; Jürgen Fuchs, Vorsitzender der Geschäftsführung BASF InfraService & Solutions Lausitz; Nils Aldag, CEO Sunfire; and Christian von Olshausen, CTO Sunfire.(Source:  © BASF InfraService & Solutions Lausitz)
From left to right: Anne Francken, Kaufmännische Geschäftsführerin BASF InfraService & Solutions Lausitz; Jürgen Fuchs, Vorsitzender der Geschäftsführung BASF InfraService & Solutions Lausitz; Nils Aldag, CEO Sunfire; and Christian von Olshausen, CTO Sunfire.
(Source: © BASF InfraService & Solutions Lausitz)

August 31 – Industrial Park Lausitz and Sunfire officially broke ground on a green hydrogen test facility in the presence of representatives from government, business, and industry. At the BASF site, Sunfire will validate its latest and most powerful SOEC product generation in an industrial environment.

Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) technology operates at high temperatures of around 850 degrees Celsius and achieves electrical efficiencies of up to 89 % LHV, AC. As a result, Sunfire’s SOEC electrolyzers enable the lowest levelized costs of hydrogen (LCOH). As a pioneer in SOEC development, Sunfire has implemented more industrial SOEC demonstration projects than any other company worldwide. By establishing the SOEC testing facility in Schwarzheide, the project further strengthens the Lausitz region as a location for future technologies.

Nils Aldag, CEO of Sunfire: “Sunfire stands for green hydrogen technologies ‘Made in Germany’. While our pressurized alkaline electrolyzers are already being successfully deployed in large-scale industrial projects across Europe, we also see high-temperature electrolysis as a critical enabler of the energy transition. SOEC technology has the potential to become another key technology for industrial decarbonization. As the global market leader in SOEC, we are playing a key role in shaping this development. With the test facility at BASF’s Schwarzheide site, we are consistently executing our SOEC strategy and advancing the commercialization of this technology. The site offers ideal conditions to further accelerate the market ramp-up of high-temperature electrolysis.”

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