In The News
Hybrid inorganic-organic membrane has enhanced stability
A silica-based amorphous material in which silicon atoms are linked to organic groups, as well as to oxygen, creates a pore network that tolerates aggressive chemical environments more effectively than conventional polymeric or ceramic membranes. Licensed by membrane manufacturer Pervatech…
Recovering rare earth metals from used light bulbs
Up to now, used energy-saving light bulbs have been processed by recycling firms that recover the various components, such as glass, metal, plastics and mercury. However, the remaining luminescent powders, which contain high concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs), are…
A new process for high-purity MnO2
Mesa Minerals Ltd. (Perth, Australia; www.mesaminerals.com.au) has developed an alternative hydrometallurgical method for converting low-grade manganese oxide ores to electrolytic manganese dioxide of high purity for use in alkaline and lithium-ion battery production. The company claims its process consumes about…
Spray drying converts a medicinal cactus into a powder
A process to spray-dry Aloe vera for use in the food and cosmetics industry has been developed by GEA Niro (Søborg, Denmark; www.niro.com). The process is expected to offer an efficient and economical alternative to freeze drying, as well as…
February Chementator Briefs
DuPont acquisition Last month, DuPont (Wilmington, Del.; www.dupont.com) announced its plans to acquire Danisco, a global enzyme and specialty food ingredients company, for $5.8 billion in cash and assumption of $500 million of Danisco’s net debt. Danisco is…
Coal-to-Chemicals
Current industry syngas output has increased by 26% since 2007 — and by 50% since 2004 — reaching a current gasification capacity of 70,817 MWth of syngas output, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s (DOE; Washington, D.C.; www.energy.gov) 2010…
S-L separation: No more separation anxiety
Given the state of the still-lagging economy, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the chemical process industries (CPI) are attempting to get more finished product from their existing processes at lower costs. As a result, many are examining their…
DuPont to acquire Danisco to create world leader in industrial biotechnology and more business news
Eurecat to build a new catalyst-processing facility in India January 4, 2011 — Eurecat SA (La Voulte, France; www.eurecat.com), a joint venture of IFP Investissements and Albemarle Corp., is constructing a new, catalyst processing plant in India. WIth an expected…
Mustang establishes Malaysian JV company
Mustang Engineering L-P- (Houston; www.mustangeng.com), a Wood Group Company, and Sime Darby’s Energy & Utilities Division have entered into a joint venture (JV) to form a new company called Mustang Sime Darby. The new company will provide project management, design and…
Metso: Biomass boiler plant to Porvoon Energia
Metso Corp. (Helsinki, Finland; www.metso.com) will supply Porvoon Energia with a biomass boiler plant for combined heat and power production (CHP) in the township of Tolkkinen, Finland. The boiler plant will be delivered by the Metso-Wärtsilä joint venture MW Power…