PPG launches new water-based shop primer

PPG Industries Inc (PPG) has introduced PPG AQUACRON 834 industrial shop primer, a new water-based primer. This is an ideal product platform for manufacturers or custom coaters who need an economical rust-inhibitive shop primer for steel applications.

With volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of only 2.8 pounds per gallon, PPG Aquacron water-based shop primer meets stringent environmental regulations while delivering robust protection in corrosive environments. It provides excellent flow and levelling characteristics to create a smooth finish for steel fabrication, automotive racking, waste containers, industrial machinery, material handling equipment and other miscellaneous metal fabrication applications.

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Total completes €1 billion upgrade at its largest refinery in Europe

Total SA has inaugurated the new units at its Antwerp integrated refining & petrochemicals platform, which have progressively started up in the last few months.

This event marks the completion of the upgrade program launched in 2013 of one of the largest and most efficient integrated refining & petrochemicals platforms in Europe. Thus, the company has invested more than €1 billion to further improve the competitiveness of this major site located in the heart of Europe's main markets. 

Two key projects were completed:

1. An investment in a new refining complex was approved for the conversion of more heavy fuel oil into low-sulphur light products.

• A deasphalting unit and a hydrocracker were built to increase the production of clean and high-value-added products.
• The new refining complex will reduce the high-sulphur heavy fuel oil yield, in anticipation of the new marine fuel regulation that will take effect in 2020. 

Read More: Total completes €1 billion upgrade at its largest refinery in Europe

BP, Copersucar to form 50-50 ethanol JV in Brazil

 BP Biofuels and Copersucar have agreed to form a joint venture (JV) to own and operate a major ethanol storage terminal in Brazil, better and flexibly connecting ethanol production with the country’s main fuels markets.

Copersucar is the world’s leading sugar and ethanol trader, with the largest sugar and ethanol storage capacity in Brazil. BP Biofuels, part of BP’s alternative energy business, is a significant producer of ethanol from sugarcane in Brazil.

The 50:50 joint venture will own and operate the Terminal Copersucar de Etanol in Paulinia in the state of Sao Paulo, which is currently solely owned by Copersucar. Joint ownership of the terminal will support the strategies of both companies - connecting important ethanol production with flexible storage capacity close to the main ethanol consumer markets in Brazil.

In addition to the shareholders’ business, the terminal will continue providing services to its current customers.

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Archroma, Fashion Institute partner to create first colour centre

Archroma has partnered with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and its Textile Development and Marketing Department to create the first Archroma colour centre.

The Archroma colour centre @FIT is a facility where FIT students can utilize leading-edge industry colour management tools for their design projects, gaining hands-on expertise that equips them for successful careers in the fashion and textiles industries.

FIT students designed the space under the direction of Sean Cormier, an associate professor at the college’s Textile Development and Marketing program. Key components for the room were donated by Archroma.

The Archroma colour centre @FIT includes a large-scale colour reference that recreates the 4,320 hue colour atlas by Archroma as a wall-hung, flip-through display. A complete six-set Color Atlas - featuring an easy-to-use system of detachable fabric swatches - has also been donated to the lab, which students use to select hues for their design projects.

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KBR to revamp Rashtriya Chemicals’ ammonia plant in India

KBR Inc (KBR) has been awarded an ammonia plant revamp contract by Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd (RCF), India.

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide a technology license and basic engineering design for the RCF ammonia plant at Trombay, Maharashtra, India.  During this project, the existing Ammonia 5 plant will be revamped for energy savings to meet the new energy requirements in India.

KBR will utilize its proprietary PurifierTM technology which delivers the lowest proven energy consumption in the industry, reduces capital costs and improves overall plant operations.

Read More: KBR to revamp Rashtriya Chemicals’ ammonia plant in India

Honeywell acquires fire and gas safety systems provider SCAME

Honeywell HON) has acquired privately held SCAME Sistemi Srl, adding new fire and gas safety capabilities to Honeywell's industry-leading portfolio of connected building solutions.

SCAME is a leading provider of all-in-one systems that deliver management of fire and gas detection, and fire extinguishing systems, from a single interface and supervisory software platform.

When combined with Honeywell's wide-ranging fire and gas product portfolio, SCAME's industrial controllers and management systems will provide powerful integrated solutions for customers. Installers and operators will benefit from seamless integration that provides access to critical information, alerts and control. Honeywell's acquisition of SCAME will create new opportunities to deploy SCAME's products worldwide, helping make industrial sites around the globe safer and more secure.

Read More: Honeywell acquires fire and gas safety systems provider SCAME

Bayer gets CFIUS approval to merge with Monsanto

 Bayer AG and Monsanto Company (MON) said that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has completed its review of the proposed merger, and has concluded that there are no unresolved national security concerns with respect to the transaction.

Bayer and Monsanto will continue to cooperate with the authorities in order to complete the transaction in early 2018.