BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) started operations at a new electronic-grade sulfuric acid (H2SO4) plant in Jiaxing, China, to serve the country’s growing semiconductor manufacturing industry. Driven by strong demand from customers, the plant has simultaneously started its expansion phase…
Johnson Matthey (London, U.K.; www.matthey.com) announced details of its business strategy in the battery-materials sector, including the commercialization of the new enhanced lithium nickel oxide (eLNO) battery material. eLNO is an ultra-high energy density material, said to compete with emerging materials…
Arkema (Colombes, France; www.arkema.com) has confirmed a detailed investment review, with its partner Novus International, Inc., to double production capacities at Arkema’s Beaumont Thiochemicals site in the U.S. This project will support the strong global growth in the animal nutrition…
Ascend Performance Materials, LLC (Houston; www.ascendmaterials.com) announced plans for expanding its adiponitrile (ADN) capacity through 2022. In total, Ascend will grow its ADN capacity by 220,000 metric tons (m.t.) by 2022 to meet increasing demand. Ascend completed its first expansion…
The new Biomethane 3000 fixed analyzer (photo) is designed for high-accuracy methane and oxygen readings for biomethane applications, including biogas upgrading and anaerobic digestion. The Biomethane 3000provides continual measurement of methane, carbon dioxide and oxygen with a user-definable fourth gas…
Production has started at AkzoNobel’s (Amsterdam, the Netherlands; www.akzonobel.com) new powder coatings plant in Changzhou, China. The facility – one of the largest of its kind in the world – is located at an existing site and will help to…
A consortium made up of Compañía Española de Petróleos S.A.U. (Cepsa; Madrid, Spain; www.cepsa.com), La Línea Vertical, a specialist engineering company focused on non-destructive testing (NDT) and Dronetool, an expert in drone design and construction, will work to develop a…
Sadara Chemical Co. (Jubail, Saudi Arabia; www.sadara.com) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Veolia Middle East SAS (Veolia) to construct a sustainable central utilities facility in PlasChem Park, the unique industrial park adjacent to the Sadara Chemical Complex.…
EuroChem Group AG (Zug, Switzerland; www.eurochemgroup.com) announced the opening of a new fertilizer blending plant in Brazil as part of the continued expansion of Fertilizantes Tocantins (FTO). EuroChem acquired a controlling interest (50%+1 share) in FTO in 2016 as part…
Huntsman Corp. (The Woodlands, Tex.; www.huntsman.com) announced plans to build a new polyurethanes systems house in Dubai. Located within the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone (JAFZA), the new facility will strengthen Huntsman’s differentiated downstream capabilities in the Middle East. Targeted…