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2019 CEPCI Updates: December (prelim.) and November (final)

The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for December 2019 (the most recent available) decreased from the previous month’s value, the ninth decline in the last eleven months. Of the four major subindices comprising the overall CEPCI,…

U.S. chemical production edges higher to start the year, ACC says

According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) edged higher by 0.1 percent in January, following a 0.1 percent decline in December and a 0.2 percent decline in November. During…

Joint venture formed for production of bio-based levulinic acid

Towell Engineering Group (Muscat, Oman; www.towellengineering.com) and GF Biochemicals (Geleen, the Netherlands; www.gfbiochemicals.com) announced the formation of a joint venture (JV) for the production and marketing of biochemicals using GF Biochemicals proprietary technology.The aim of the JV, NXTLEVVEL Biochem (Geleen,…

Honeywell introduces HIVE for IT infrastructure

Honeywell (Morris Plains, N.J.; www.honeywell.com) today announced the release of Experion PKS IT Highly Integrated Virtual Environment (HIVE), a transformative new technology that centralizes up to 80% of IT infrastructure used in project engineering. This allows industrial manufacturers to lower…

Genomatica produces renewably sourced caprolactam for nylon production

Eighty years after nylon's first commercial production, clean manufacturing technology leader Genomatica (San Diego, Calif.; www.genomatica.com) achieved a new milestone for the material — its production of the world’s first renewably-sourced ton of caprolactam, a key ingredient for nylon-6, made…

2019 CEPCI Updates: November (prelim.) and October (final)

The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for November 2019 (the most recent available) decreased from the previous month’s value, the eighth decline in the last ten months. All four major subindices of the overall CEPCI (Equipment,…

U.S. specialty chemical markets end 2019 on soft note, ACC says

The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) reported that U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes ended 2019 on a soft note, with a 0.3 percent decline in December following a 0.1 percent gain in November. All changes in the data…

Chemical Activity Barometer rose in January, ACC says

The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB), a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), jumped 0.6 percent in January on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis, following a 0.1 percent gain in December. On a…

Vertellus acquires Bercen Chemicals, maker of alkyl succinic anhydrides

Vertellus (Indianapolis, Ind.; www.vertellus.com) announced today it has acquired Bercen Chemicals, a leading U.S. supplier of alkyl succinic anhydrides and additives used in the fuel, lubricant, and paper industries. “This acquisition expands the range of products Vertellus is able to…

Recently Published Books for Chemical Process Industries: January 2020

The following are selected recently published books that may be relevant for chemical process industries (CPI) professionals Dispelling Chemical Engineering Myths, 3rd ed. (electronic book edition). By Trevor Kletz, CRC Press, 2019, $57.95, e-book. Guide for Making Acute Risk Decisions.…