A collaborative research group in Japan has engineered a self-sustaining device that can detect the presence of COVID-19 particles or droplets in air. The device, which requires no batteries, employs a magnetostrictive clad plate composed of iron, cobalt and nickel,…
Taking a modular approach to capital projects offers a pathway for companies to be proactive, rather than reactive, as they manage project risk in the time of COVID and potential similar disruptions in the future It has been more than…
Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany) is investing in the short-term expansion of its specialty lipids production which are essential for mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. Commercial lipid quantities are to be produced at Evonik’s Hanau and Dossenheim sites in Germany as early…
Merck KGaA (Darmstadt, Germany) and BioNTech are further expanding their strategic partnership. Merck, in close collaboration with BioNTech, will significantly accelerate the supply of urgently needed lipids and increase the amount of lipid delivery towards the end of 2021. The…
To help its customers meet the need for hand sanitizers, wipes, sprays, liquid dish soap and other household cleaning products, Eastman Chemical Corp. (Kingsport, Tenn.; www.eastman.com) will significantly increase its capacity to produce tertiary amines (dimethyldodecylamine; DIMLA) at its Ghent,…
Corning Inc. (Corning, N.Y.) announced a new breakthrough in glass-ceramic technology, Corning Guardiant. Under test methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), paint and coatings containing Corning Guardiant were shown to kill more than 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2, the…
As part of a four-party memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed on October 4, 2019, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; www.adnoc.ae), Adani Group (Ahmedabad, India; www.adani.com), BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) and Borealis AG (Vienna,…
A patented polymer material developed by Kraton Corp. (Houston; www.kraton.com) has shown rapid antimicrobial capabilities with expected long-lasting self-disinfecting efficacy. Currently pursuing regulatory review in the U.S. and other select countries for use as an antimicrobial agent, Biaxam is a…
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Düsseldorf, Germany) announced a $23-million investment in its North American manufacturing facilities. This major investment will provide new equipment and a series of improvements that will support additional production of Dial liquid hand soap and…
VDL Groep and Royal DSM (Heerlen, the Netherlands) announced the start of a 50/50 joint venture (JV) that will establish production of medical facemasks and the first permanent production of critical facemask components in the Netherlands. The new joint venture,…