December 2019

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× COMMENTARY

Pursuing the potential of hydrogen
Hydrogen’s potential for playing a significant role in the global…

IN THE NEWSNEWSFRONTS

Workforce 4.0: The Human Side of Digital Transformation
As chemical process industries (CPI) companies continue to experiment with,…

The Changing Face of Simulation
Easier-to-use features and simplified integration lead to new applications for…

CHEMENTATOR + Show More

This process may produce lithium from borate process waste
Rio Tinto (London, U.K.; www.riotinto.com) will shortly start up a…

A microbe for making chemicals and biofuels from brown algae
A research team from Pohang University of Science and Technology…

Novel catalyst for transforming polyethylene into lubricants and waxes
Efficient upcycling of post-consumer plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), is…

Solvent chemistry is key for cleaner oil-sands processing
Petroteq Energy Inc. (Sherman Oaks, Calif.; www.petroteq.energy) has achieved continuous…

Electro-swing adsorption separates CO2 from mixed gases at any concentration
Effectively separating carbon dioxide from combustion exhaust or directly from…

Machine learning helps achieve a five-fold boost in formaldehyde yield
Chemistry professor Oliver Trapp and his colleagues at the Ludwig…

Lower-cost engineered composites for transportation infrastructure applications
Engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) are concrete-like materials with exceptional ductility…

Pursuing methanation as a means to recycle CO2
By the end of fiscal 2019, commissioning and continuous operation…

Chementator Briefs
Direct route to PG Dow Inc. (Midland, Mich.; www.dow.com) and…

Geothermal brine may be a new U.S. source of lithium
Currently the U.S. has only one domestic source of lithium,…

BUSINESS NEWS

Plant Watch: December 2019
Plant Watch Wacker starts up new silicon-metal production plant in…

TECHNICAL & PRACTICALFEATURE REPORT

Interpreting Normalized Profitability Metrics
Normalized profitability metrics provide a basis for comparing the efficiency…

Storage Tanks: Snapshots of Failures, Damages and Inspections
Lessons learned from past failures provide insight and know-how needed…

Standard ASME B16.5 Flanges: Bolt Tightening and Target Loads
Using the approach outlined here, piping engineers can select the…

FACTS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Facts at your Fingertips: Agglomeration Processes
Agglomeration converts fine powder particles into larger ones by introducing…

TECHNOLOGY PROFILE

Technology Profile: Ethylene oxide production from ethylene
This column is based on “Ethylene Oxide Production from Ethylene…

ENGINEERING PRACTICE

Selecting the Right Thermodynamic Models for Process Simulation
Software that enables complex processes to be simulated continues to…

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER

How a Waste Treatment Plan Can Improve Your Bottom Line
Although waste is unavoidable in industrial processes, many companies are…

EQUIPMENT & SERVICESFOCUS

Focus on Valves
Safe combustible-dust-explosion isolation Isolation is essential to protect adjoining system…

NEW PRODUCTS + Show More

Data connectors for Ethernet and Profinet
The new, two-piece M8 circular connectors for data transmission (photo)…

Decentralized field unit for measuring water parameters
The modular Online Analysis System for measuring water quality is…

Software for comprehensive pipeline management
PipePatrol (photo) is a comprehensive suite of software modules for…

New technology enables biogas optimization
The MGP261 is a new Ex-certified inline multigas measurement instrument…

New filtration media adds strength and cleanability
Introduced at Filtech (Cologne, Germany; October 22–24), Sinterflo FMC (photo)…

Direct, in-situ assessment of critical catalyst properties
The new in situ catalyst-characterization system (ICCS; photo) delivers high-performance…

Rugged scales handle logistical tasks
The AGB and AGF range of bench and floor scales…

A fully integrated, loop-powered displacement transmitter
The DT-12x Series of transmitters (photo) are loop-powered displacement transmitters…

Intrinsically safe smartwatch for use in hazardous areas
The new Smart-Ex Watch 01 (photo, p. 31) is said…

See filter status in real time with this software solution
This company offers a solution for precise monitoring of the…

A new volumetric feeder for additive dispensing systems
The new VMF-90D volumetric screw feeder (photo) is an automatic…

AI improves asset monitoring and maintenance planning
The Maximo Asset Monitor (photo) is a new remote-monitoring platform…

High-volume twin-screw feeder delivers precision
The Model TSF twin-screw feeder (photo) is designed for precise…

This power supply has a new IO-Link Communication Module
The Pro 2 line of power-supply units (PSU; photo), with…

Highlights Data Analytics Starts with Smart Instruments Air Movers for Dilute-Phase Pneumatic Conveying Advanced Analytics: Accelerating Insights for Engineers Seal Selection: Ensure Regulator Performance in Low-Temperature Applications Facts at your Fingertips: Safety Instrumented Systems and Risk

Comment

Showa Denko licenses VAM process technology in China

By Mary Page Bailey | November 19, 2019

Showa Denko (SDK; Tokyo; www.sdk.co.jp) has decided to license its technology to produce vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) to Shenghong Refining Petrochemical (Lian Yun Gang) Co., Ltd., (SRP) China, under a formal alliance agreement between SDK and engineering firm KBR, Inc. (Houston; www.kbr.com). In addition, SDK will provide catalysts for the VAM production facility to be constructed by Shenghong Refining Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (SRP).

SDK has been producing VAM from ethylene at its Oita Petrochemical Complex for 40 years, and has polished high-level technologies including that to develop catalysts. SDK formed alliance with KBR in 2015, and, since then, the two parties have been investigating possibilities to operate business to license SDK’s technologies to produce organic chemicals. As a result, SRP decided to adopt SDK’s technologies to produce VAM. The new VAM unit to be constructed in the premise of SRP is expected to have a capacity to produce 300,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr) of VAM.

Breakthrough Technologies