Kemira Oyj (Helsinki, Finland) announced the first completion of a two-step capacity expansion in their water-treatment chemicals production in the UK. From January 1, 2021, the output of the aluminum-based product line in Ellesmere Port will be increased by more…
In the U.K., Veolia (Paris) has expanded wood recycling and processing capacity by 50,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr), adding to the 410,000 m.t./yr of waste wood already processed by Veolia each year. The new site will feed wide ranging wood…
The Solvay Group (Brussels, Belgium) agreed to sell its North American and European amphoteric surfactant business to OpenGate Capital, a private equity firm with headquarters in Los Angeles. The sale includes the three main production sites supporting the amphoteric product…
Gevo, Inc. (Englewood, Colo.) announced that it has engaged Koch Project Solutions, LLC to provide front end engineering, design (FEED) and project execution management services for the expansion projects that Gevo is in the process of financing with Citigroup Global…
Ascend Performance Materials (Houston) has purchased Eurostar Engineering Plastics, a France-based compounder with a broad portfolio of flame-retardant engineered plastics and expertise in halogen-free formulations. “Eurostar’s experience in compounded polyamides fits well within our own portfolio and manufacturing capabilities,” said…
Neste (Espoo, Finland; www.neste.com) announced that it has acquired a minority stake in Alterra Energy, an innovative chemical recycling technology company. Neste’s equity investment supports Alterra Energy’s expansion. The collaboration between the companies will include joint technology development and global…
Yara International ASA (Oslo, Norway) has entered into an agreement with Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) and the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) on 31 December 2020 to divest its full ownership interest in the Libyan Norwegian Fertiliser Company (LIFECO). Yara’s…
Saipem S.p.A. (San Donato Milanese, Italy), leading an equally shared joint venture with Clough, has reached the EPC agreement with Perdaman Chemical and Fertilizers Pty Ltd for the development of the Burrup Urea Project. It consists of a Urea Fertilizer…
Superalloys, also known as high-performance alloys, are considered as materials of construction for process equipment in applications involving high temperatures, highly corrosive environments and those requiring high strength properties. Many commonly used superalloys in the chemical process industries (CPI) use…
This column is based on “Dimethyl Ether Production from Natural Gas and CO2 (Direct Method) – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/dimethyl-ether-production-cost. Dimethyl ether (DME) is the simplest aliphatic ether, containing only two…