BASF presents hygienic heavy-duty Ucrete flooring systems

Under the brand of Master Builders Solutions, BASF SE presents the extra heavy-duty Ucrete flooring systems range.

Ucrete is a highly durable surface protection system based on a unique polyurethane resin technology, which meets and exceeds the special requirements of the food and beverage industry, and is also perfectly suitable for chemical and pharmaceutical industry applications thanks to its chemical, mechanical and thermal shock resistance.  

Ucrete flooring systems have been meeting the highest requirements of occupational safety and hygiene since 50 years as they exhibit bacterial cleanability comparable to stainless steel and do not support bacterial growth. Depending on the layer thickness, they can withstand temperatures ranging from -40 °C to 130 °C, being ideal for use in cool rooms and refrigerated environments. They are extremely impact resistant and offer highly effective anti-slip properties. The anti-slip class of the flooring can be adjusted to meet specific customers’ requirements from smooth to highly slip resistant.

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Clariant launches new range of low foaming emulsifiers for metalworking fluids

Clariant said that it is launching two new emulsifiers suitable for replacing traditional alcohol ethoxylate emulsifiers in metalworking fluid formulations. The new products Emulsogen MTP 020 and Emulsogen MTP 030 join Clariant’s well-known Emulsogen MTP 070 to create an innovative new range of hazard label-free low foaming emulsifiers for the industry.

The new Emulsogen MTP 020/030/070 range combines an outstanding sustainability profile with performance-boosting properties that set it apart from existing nonionic emulsifier options for cutting fluids. Extensive laboratory tests confirm that Emulsogen MTP 020/030 and 070 outperform traditional emulsifiers.

Emulsogen MTP 020/030 and 070 are multifunctional additives offering excellent emulsification power, low foaming properties, lime soap dispersing power and lubrication. Each product has its unique performance profile, enabling the cutting fluid formulators to select the right product for each individual performance requirement. Importantly, the products perform well even with increasing fluid application pressures.

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Rockwell’s new ThinManager software features improved operator productivity

MILWAUKEE, US: Rockwell Automation Inc said that it has updated its thin client software, where industrial workers can get better access to the information they need, where they need it. The new ThinManager v10.0 software platform has new visualization, mobility and security features can help operators and technicians produce more with less downtime using the Rockwell Automation software portfolio and industrial-grade thin clients.

With a new virtual-screening capability, users can customize how they see applications and data from multiple sources, all without rewriting a single line of code. This capability can help them view the information that is most relevant to their job. New support for wearable technology can also revolutionize how workers access information. For example, a maintenance technician could diagnose and troubleshoot a machine just by looking at it through a Microsoft HoloLens mixed-reality headset.

The updated software introduces authentication pass-through to help improve productivity. In the past, users had to log in to ThinManager and other software applications separately, adding time onto costly operations. Now the software can natively pass users’ credentials to supported HMI products like FactoryTalk View Site Edition.

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BASF offers new simulation tool for injection-molding

LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY: BASF SE has offered a new module for simulating applications of injection-moulded components. BASF’s Ultrasim simulation tool has long been able to deliver precise calculations of the anisotropic mechanical behaviour of fibre-filled plastics after manufacturing in the injection-moulding process. But another service has now been added: a thermomechanical model for fibre-reinforced thermoplastics now enables precise forecasts of temperature-dependent deformation via simulations.

One major benefit for customers is that they can now identify possible weak points virtually during the actual development phase for components and prevent them before the start of the series production phase. The new module considers the complex thermomechanical material behaviour, the impact of the anisotropic fibre orientation as well as temperature distributions and changes in the component.

“During the early development phase, it is absolutely essential to make detailed forecasts for the end product. Particularly with high-performance plastics that are used in cars and are exposed to huge temperature differences, possible deformations need to be predicted,” said Andreas Wonisch, simulation expert at BASF.

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UN proclaims 2019 the international year of periodic table

NEW YORK, US: The United Nations (UN) general assembly has proclaimed 2019 as the International Year of the periodic table of chemical elements (IYPT 2019).

In proclaiming an International Year focusing on the periodic table of chemical elements and its applications, the UN has recognized the importance of raising global awareness of how chemistry promotes sustainable development and provides solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health.

This International Year will bring together many different stakeholders including UNESCO, scientific societies and unions, educational and research institutions, technology platforms, non-profit organizations and private sector partners to promote and celebrate the significance of the periodic table of elements and its applications to society during 2019.

The development of the periodic table of the elements is one of the most significant achievements in science and a uniting scientific concept, with broad implications in astronomy, chemistry, physics, biology and other natural sciences.

The International Year of the periodic table of chemical elements in 2019 will coincide with the 150th anniversary of the discovery of the periodic system by Dmitry Mendeleev in 1869.

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McDermott, CB&I announces new leadership team for combined company

HOUSTON/THE WOODLANDS, US: McDermott International Inc (MDR) and Chicago Bridge & Iron Company NV (CBI) announced the selection of the executive leadership team and integrated organizational structure of the combined company.

The transaction is currently expected to close in the second quarter of 2018.

Upon the close of the transaction, the combined company’s operations will be organized by four areas – North, Central & South America (NCSA), Europe, Africa, Russia & Caspian (EARC), Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and Asia Pacific (APAC) – to encourage collaboration, drive excellence in execution and promote robust growth.

CB&I’s industry-leading technology business will remain a tier-one market facing offering. The areas and technology divisions will be supported by centralized commercial and project delivery organizations. The integration of commercial, including the centralization of the company’s bidding functions, will improve customer interactions, allocation of resources, consistency of approach and risk management of new contracts.

The centralization of project delivery, including project management & controls, engineering, supply chain, marine, fabrication, construction, and quality, health, safety, environment & security (QHSES), will also significantly enhance project delivery performance.

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Handysize LPG vessels to be worst performers in 2018

Among the different size categories of LPG ships, the small vessel segment is expected to be the best performer in 2018 while Handysize vessels will be the worst, according to the latest edition of the LPG Forecaster, published by global shipping consultancy Drewry.

The LPG shipping market is currently oversupplied with vessels (with the exception of the small segment 1,000-5,000 cbm), as a result of strong fleet growth during the last three years. The global LPG fleet expanded at an annual average rate of 17 percent in 2015 and 2016, and is expected to grow by 9 percent in 2017. However, shipowners can now breathe a sigh of relief as fleet growth is set to slow down to 5 percent in 2018 and 3 percent in 2019, respectively.

As growth rates vary among size segments, Drewry has looked into the freight rate prospects of different size category of vessels and believes that Handysize ships (12,000-25,000 cbm) will be the worst performers in 2018, while small LPG vessels (1,000-5,000 cbm) will be the best. Fleet growth will be the main catalyst for their freight rate outlook.

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