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Bookshelf for May 2023: Recently Published Books for the CPI

The following is a list of recently published books that may be relevant for various parts of the chemical process industries (CPI):  Fire Protection Handbook, 21st edition. By the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, 2023, two-volume set, $749. Contract Strategies…

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Business News: May 2023

Plant Watch Evonik plans to double global PEBA production capacity April 14, 2023 — Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany; www.evonik.com) is doubling its global capacity for polyether block amide (PEBA) with a twofold approach, including a major expansion of its…

Petroleum Refining Decarbonization Strategies

As refiners respond to shifting product demand, pressure to decarbonize operations builds. Investments in low-carbon hydrogen technologies, process optimization and integration projects are on the rise The petroleum-refining sector sits in a unique place: global demand for refined products —…

2023 CEPCI updates: February (prelim.) and January (final)

The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for February 2023 (most recent available) fell compared to the previous month’s value, continuing a series of eight consecutive monthly decreases in the CEPCI overall value. However, the final value…

Energizing the CPI

The first issue of this publication in September of 1902, then titled Electrochemical Industry, contained this statement from professor C.F. Burgess: “Chemical manufacturing was a number of years ago considered best developed when the processes were so simple that no…

CEPCI annual value for 2022 sets a new high for second straight year

The value of the 2022 Chemical Engineering Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) exceeded the previous year’s value by a significant margin. The rise in the 2022 CEPCI echoes the large increase observed for the 2021 annual CEPCI value, and places the…

U.S. chemical production trended higher in February, ACC says

The U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) rose by 0.7% in February, following declines of 2.4% in December and 0.6% in January, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com). “February marked a slight rebound and rise…

LG Chem Supplies Reverse Osmosis Membranes to the Largest Salt Lake Lithium Extraction Project in China

LG Chem Ltd. (Seoul, South Korea) supplied reverse osmosis (RO) membranes to China’s largest salt-lake lithium extraction project. The company has shipped more than 10,000 RO membranes to the Guoan lithium extraction project led by CITIC Group, China’s largest state-owned…

Canatu increases CNT film production capacity

Carbon nanomaterial developer Canatu Oy (Vantaa, Finland) has upgraded its carbon nanotube (CNT) film manufacturing to meet the rising demand for ADAS heater products in the automotive industry. Canatu has improved its step-and-repeat (SAR) CNT film production line by adding…

2023 CEPCI updates: January (prelim.) and December 2022 (final)

The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for January 2023 (most recent available) declined from the previous month’s value, continuing a series of seven consecutive monthly decreases in the CEPCI overall value. In addition, the final value…