Category: Industry News

Evonik Industries, a chemical manufacturer based in Germany, has announced plans to increase production of plasticizer feedstock 2-propyl heptanol (2-PH).   The plant located in Marl, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany will be making use of a recently developed ligand called OxoPhos 64i make the oxo reaction used to produce the alcohol more efficient, allowing the plant longer operation times and less maintenance.

Evonik currently produces around 400,000 tons of plasticizer alcohols per year, including 2-PH and isononanol.

For more information see Chemical Technology.

A joint project between researchers from the University of Minnesota, Rice University, and Argonne National Laboratory has identified a set of promising new zeolites, materials used in the refining of ethanol and petrochemicals. Zeolites are molecules which enable the processing of crude feedstock to a more refined product. With more than 200 known, and hundreds of thousands predicted, the research needed to evaluate all possible zeolites is unattainable. But with the aid of a supercomputer the team was able to identify those unique zeolites which could be a benefit to the refining industry. “Using a supercomputer at Argonne National Laboratory, we are able to use our computer simulations to compress decades of research in the lab into a total of about a day’s worth of computing,” said lead researcher Ilja Siepmann, a University of Minnesota chemistry professor and director of the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Nanoporous Materials Genome Center based in Minnesota. By using serious computing power, efficient computer algorithms, and accurate descriptions of the molecular interactions the team found a group of all-silica zeolites which could greatly improve ethanol purification. The also identified zeolite frameworks that could improve the upgrading of petroleum compounds to higher-value lubricant and diesel products.

Read more at Azocleantech.

Developers at Ford Motors have engineered a soy-based foam to replace traditional plastics in seat cushions. Ford first began using the sustainable technology beginning in 2008, and since the technology has taken over in all North American vehicles produced by the company.   With about 300 pounds of petroleum based plastic in every vehicle, Ford was able to keep costs down while petroleum prices rose using the soy-based foam.

For more information see “Beyond the Bean – Dec 2014 issue”

A truck driver shortage that plagued shippers in the 4^thquarter of 2014 has carried over into the new year.  The problem has lead to carriers being more likely to increase wages and hire more inexperienced drivers. Over 90% of carriers expect wage increases of 6-10%, and although 80% of the industry is open to hiring inexperienced driver only 33% is currently.

Read more at Bulk Transporter.

A Russian chemistry experiment is being run on the International Space Station to create polymer walls that form shells in the weightlessness of space. The experiment is being conducted in a contained glovebox with two hardening processes to ‘set’ the end structures. Not only does the experiment demonstrate this method of creating polymers, it also improves computer models and furthers education in physics and chemistry.

Read the full story at ESA.

The University of Wisconsin’s Mechanical Engineering department has found a way to use 3D printers to make 3D music scores for the blind. The 3D music scores are in its early stages and the engineers have to overcome some hurdles like how to mass-produce them.

For more information:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/3d-printed-music-scores-help-the-blind-feel-every-note/ar-AA85MqO?ocid=UP97DHP

Despite the chemical industry’s heavy protesting and lobbying, NYC finalized its ban on polystyrene food and beverage containers. The city’s Dept. of Sanitation claims that the polystyrene foam is not recyclable or reusable. Chemical manufacturers of these products are arguing that polystyrene is indeed recyclable. Other cities that also has banned the use of polystyrene foam include Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. Washington DC has also banned the use of this material.

For More Information See:  http://cen.acs.org/articles/93/web/2015/01/New-York-City-Bans-Expanded.html