Numerous articles have been published within the last years in chemical science and business media (including this one) on the advantages of continuous reactions, aka flow chemistry.
Biorefining allows low-carbon feedstocks – such as lignocellulosic biomass – to be processed into intermediate chemicals that can be made into renewable plastics for the automotive industry. Sonichem has developed a breakthrough biorefinery technique that uses ultrasonic energy alongside mild organic acids to fractionate softwood sawdust into hemicellulose sugars, microcrystalline cellulose and high-quality lignin.
Arkema has signed long term renewable energy agreements for its US sites in Calvert City, Kentucky, Beaumont, Texas, Chatham, Virginia, and West Chester, Pennsylvania, as well as for all Bostik sites in the United States. The company said that these agreements are part of its climate plan.
Today, 73 industry leaders from 20 industrial sectors handed over "The Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal" to Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The declaration emphasizes industry's dedication to Europe's transformation and outlines urgent needs to enhance Europe's competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability amid challenging economic circumstances.
The German start-up Bioweg found a way to replace petroleum-based chemicals with innovative bio-alternatives through fermentation and green chemistry. The processing of waste products results in bacterial cellulose, which serves as a substitute for synthetic polymers and thus has diverse potential applications.
In a move to improve the supply of renewable hydrogen and thus reduce dependence on natural gas and contribute to achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU plan, the EU Commission has approved a third Important project of common European interest (IPCEI) to support hydrogen infrastructure.
Brussels, Belgium-headquartered chemical company Solvay has completed the coal phase-out initiative at its US site in Green River, Wyoming.
The Kenyan start-up Molepse BioResources has developed two products, one for small-scale and one for large-scale grain farmers, to protect their harvest from weevil attacks.
Rising demand for sustainability-related products will create a huge growth opportunity for chemical companies.
In today’s world, where environmental sustainability is at the forefront of global concerns, green chemistry stands as a beacon of hope. This field focuses on inventing sustainable solutions that mitigate the harmful impact of traditional chemical processes.
By enhancing offerings, ensuring performance, managing costs, and embracing sustainability, distributors prove as essential partners for long-term success amidst evolving challenges.
Austrian energy group OMV and synthetic rubber producer Synthos have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which the two companies will cooperate on sustainability. The focus is on the supply of sustainable raw materials that can be used for the production of high-performance tires.
With more than 80% of all chemical products manufactured using catalytic processes, catalysts are the number one value generator in the chemical industry.
The concept of a circular economy, where materials are recycled and reused, is becoming increasingly important in consumer packaging, driven by regulatory requirements and customer interest. Modern technical advancements make it easier to think of today's goods and products as the resources of tomorrow. One such product is plastic.
Surfactants, a portmanteau of “surface” and “active” agent, play a pivotal role in various industries. These molecules are designed to work at interfaces, with the most common interface being the boundary between oil and water.
The $5 trillion chemical industry plays a pivotal role in the global economy, serving as the foundation for countless sectors from paints to plastics that rely on its products and processes. With a rich history of innovation, chemical companies are well-positioned to lead the charge on decarbonization.
Evonik announced that it is significantly expanding its commitment to developing solutions for the circular economy, bundling its activities in the group-wide Circular Economy Program. From 2030, the German specialty chemicals company aims to generate at least €1 billion in additional sales per year from circular products and technologies.
Sasol Chemicals, a division of Sasol Ltd., and Solugen have unveiled a partnership to investigate the development of innovative solutions to address the increasing consumer need for eco-friendly ingredients in household and personal care items.
The 7th edition of the CPHI Annual Survey was unveiled today highlighting trends for 2024. A total of 250 pharmaceutical executives were surveyed with 35 probing questions, with their answers informing the industry landscape for the next year, spanning all major pharma markets.
Malaysia’s leading integrated chemicals producer Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG), part of Petronas group, has reached the final investment decision (FID) to construct an advanced chemical recycling plant with a capacity of 33 kt/a. The plant, to be built in Pengerang, Johor, is the largest of its kind in Asia, said Petronas, and is expected to be operational in the first half of 2026.
In response to the urgent need for sustainable solutions in the surfactants industry, companies like Locus Ingredients are developing environmentally friendly biosurfactants.
In the dynamic realm of the chemical industry, surfactants serve as indispensable components with versatile applications, particularly in the home and personal care sector.
In this interview, Christene Smith sits down with Anne Lamp, the CEO & Co-Founder of Traceless Materials, to delve into the groundbreaking world of natural biopolymer materials.
Ecovyst, a specialty catalyst and sulfuric acid recycling provider, announced today that Colleen Grace Donofrio has been appointed as its Vice President – Environment and Sustainability.
ExxonMobil has acquired Denbury, a carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and enhanced oil recovery company. The all-stock transaction is valued at €4.5 billion.
BP will develop two offshore wind projects as its entry into Europe's offshore wind market. The North Sea sites, with a 4GW total potential generating capacity, will be located 130 and 150 km offshore at 40 m depths.
For Siegfried, sustainability is much more than a phrase with a green coating. The term, which encompasses social and economic criteria in addition to ecological aspects, is one of five central corporate values. One of the biggest levers for reducing energy and resource consumption in the pharma supply chain lies in the efficient production of active ingredients and pharmaceuticals. The company therefore works consistently on optimizing its processes.
Climate change, energy crisis, the call for a more environmentally compatible production method and socially responsible action do not stop at the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Sustainability is becoming a central competitive and reputation factor and carries a high economic value. This need not be to the industry´s disadvantage. It helps companies to make processes more efficient, reduces energy consumption and keeps costs in check. But is the pharmaceutical industry already doing enough in this regard?
In what it calls another major step toward implementing its sustainability strategy, Germany’s Merck has signed a 16-year, off-site, virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Recurrent Energy for its Liberty County Solar project northeast of Houston Texas, in the US.
Interview with Annegret Vester, Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), CHT Germany
Companies in the materials industry – including chemical companies – are seeing a revolution that is likely to drive a new wave of growth. To succeed, however, they will need to rethink their value chains, expand manufacturing in the region, and take advantage of digitally powered approaches to innovation.
LyondellBasell has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mepol Group, a manufacturer of recycled, high-performing engineering compounds based in Italy and Poland.
Granules India, a Hyderabad-based pharma company, is partnering compatriot clean energy company Greenko ZeroC to develop green zones for the sustainable manufacture of drugs and their intermediates.
Given the challenges the pharmaceutical industry is facing – secure material supply, reduce operation cost and increase flexibility, enhance sustainability and safety, innovate and reduce time-to-market – the sector is poised for a breakthrough of flow chemistry.
Numerous crises such as climate change, energy shortages, raw material shortages, war in Ukraine and the consequences of the pandemic are putting value chains worldwide to the test.
