In The News
Rare-earth magnets enhance filtration of engine lubricants
FilterMag International (Scottsdale, Ariz.; www.filtermag.com) has developed neodymium magnetic devices that can boost the performance of lubricant filters for mining vehicles and industrial machinery. When the device is in place, filters retain 50–75% of contaminant particles that would otherwise be…
A sorption-enhanced catalyst improves CO2 methanation
Converting CO2 into methane is a way to mimic the natural carbon cycle and close the energy cycle by producing synthetic hydrocarbons (see, for example, CO2 Utilization, Chem. Eng., July 2013, pp. 16–19). However, the Sabatier reaction (CO2 + 4H2…
Honeywell to expand refrigerant production in Louisiana, and more business news
Plant Watch Arkema to double production capacity for organic peroxides in China January 9, 2014 — Arkema (Colombes, France; www.arkema.com) has announced the construction of a new organic peroxide plant on its Changshu site in China. This investment will double…
Solazyme: Commercial production of Renewable Algal Oils at Iowa facilities
Solazyme, Inc.(San Francisco, Calif.; www.solazyme.com) says that commercial operations have commenced at both Archer Daniels Midland Co.’s (ADM) Clinton, Iowa facility, and the downstream companion facility operated by American Natural Products in Galva, Iowa (ANP). Highlighting the flexibility of Solazyme’s technology…
The first Outotec TankCell e500 to be delivered to First Quantum Minerals
To address the market demand of increased capacity and volume Outotec Oyj (Espoo, Finland; www.outotec.com) has developed the mega-size flotation cell based on its well-established technologies. The first TankCell e500 flotation cell will be installed to First Quantum Minerals' Kevitsa…
Praxair signs long-term supply agreement in Brazil
Praxair, Inc. (Danbury, Conn.; www.praxair.com) has signed a long-term contract to supply industrial gases to a new steel mill being built near the Port of Pecém in an international free trade zone in the state of Ceara, located in the…
BASF and Sinopec break ground on world-scale INA plant in Maoming
BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec; Shanghai, China; www.sinopec.com) broke ground today on the construction of its world-scale isononanol (INA) plant in Maoming Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Maoming, China. At start-up in 2015, the…
Praxair signs long-term contract and expands enclave supply in South Korea
Praxair, Inc. (Danbury, Conn.; www.praxair.com) has signed a long-term contract with Taewoong Steel Co. Ltd. to supply high-purity oxygen to the company’s steel mill facility in Busan, Korea. Praxair will construct a new 180-ton/d air separation plant and pipeline in…
Cristal & Tasnee announce JV with Toho
The National Industrialization Co. (Tasnee; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; www.tansee.com) and The National Titanium Dioxide Company Ltd. (Cristal; Kuwait; www.cristal.com) have signed an agreement to establish a joint venture (JV) company with Toho Titanium Company Ltd. (Toho). Through SIDF/local funding the…
Metso invests in a new globe-valve technology center in South Korea
To respond to the growing global demand for reliable valve technology, Metso Corp. (Helsinki, Finland; www.metso.com) has decided to build a new green-field global valve technology center in Chungju, South Korea. The investment will strengthen Metso's control valve and service…