Clariant introduces new polymer to limit hydrolytic dehydration

Clariant is introducing new polymer compounds specially formulated to limit or even eliminate hydrolytic degradation, which is known to affect certain materials commonly used in catheters. The new resins are offered under the MEVOPUR brand name.

“After several years of research and testing, we are pleased to be able to limit the risk of hydrolysis and breakage in these materials, thereby helping device manufacturers improve the reliability of catheters,” said Eric Rohr, Medical & Pharmaceutical Segment Manager, North America.

One of the first indications of chain scission is an increased melt-flow index (MFI).

Tensile strength and elongation properties in standard test bars molded from the test materials were similarly unaffected in MEVOPUR compounds, while the standard material shows significant degradation in these critical properties.

Read more: Clariant introduces new polymer to limit hydrolytic dehydration

AkzoNobel launches Dulux products providing sustainable solutions

AkzoNobel introduced two revolutionary products in the Dulux Professional catalogue. Dulux Professional Weathershield TR E2000 and Dulux Professional Weathershield Creation Stonetex are scientifically formulated to ensure durability and are designed to meet the needs and professional requirements in residential, commercial, education, healthcare or hospitality sector.

Dulux Professional Weathershield TR E2000, a super durable exterior paint is powered by TimeResistTM technology- prevents fading, algae resistance and dirt retention. It has a longer maintenance cycle of over 15 years reducing its the carbon footprint by over 50%. The product, has also been enhanced with SunReflect™ technology that reduces exterior surface temperature by up to 5°C.

Dulux Professional Weathershield Creation Stonetex is a premium stone-like texture coating that provides natural stone effect. This water-based textured coating paint contains selected natural and synthetic UV-resistant coloured stones and aggregates bound by 100% acrylic polymer. It is suitable for both Exterior & Interior application. 

Read more: AkzoNobel launches Dulux products providing sustainable solutions

KBR develops new propane dehydrogenation technology

KBR Inc has developed a new propane dehydrogenation (PDH) technology (K-PRO) that offers high propylene selectivity and conversion. This technology is based on KBR's catalytic olefins technology (K-COT) which is a commercially proven fluidized-bed technology for converting low-value olefinic, paraffinic or mixed streams into high-value propylene and ethylene.

K-PRO delivers significant capital cost and operating cost advantages when compared with conventional designs. This arises from its fluidized-bed design which delivers reliable operation and high on-stream factors when compared with fixed or moving bed reactors.

K-PRO technology combines the know-how and experience of K-COT with a novel high selectivity, low-cost, dehydrogenation catalyst that does not require precious metals. Plants based on this new technology will be designed as stand-alone propylene production units independent of a steam cracker or an FCC unit. Additionally, existing PDH operating units can be easily modified to benefit from the superior process performance and lower operating cost.

Read more: KBR develops new propane dehydrogenation technology

Covestro breaks ground on new production line in Thailand

Covestro AG has started to build up a new manufacturing line for polycarbonate films at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Thailand. With this new capacity, the company will serve the fast-growing demand in Asia Pacific and strengthen its own position as a market leader. The project is the first step of a global capacity increase for Covestro´s film production. The total investment of more than €100 million also includes an expansion of the associated infrastructure and logistics.

“Our existing films plant in Map Ta Phut has been a high-performing and valued facility. Our main objective with this expansion is to intensify our collaboration with customers in Asia Pacific, in particular, to improve efficiency and punctual delivery. With market-focused innovations and a stronger customer orientation we want to drive growth for Covestro,” said Dr Thorsten Dreier, global head of Covestro´s specialty films business.

Read more: Covestro breaks ground on new production line in Thailand

Karnataka: 4 dead, 3 injured in distillery boiler blast

Four people died and three others were injured in a boiler blast at Nirani Sugars Limited at Mudhola, Karnataka’s Bagalkot district. The injured workers are shifted to the nearby hospital for treatment.

The sugar factory unit is part of the Nirani Group and is owned by the Nirani brothers — former BJP minister Murugesh Nirani and his brothers.

The police said that the explosion appeared to be at the safety valve of an effluent treatment plant. The whole building were the boilers were installed had fallen due to the impact, police said, adding that investigations were on into the matter

Read more: Karnataka: 4 dead, 3 injured in distillery boiler blast

Praxair to supply industrial gases to Shanghai Huayi

Praxair Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Linde plc said that it will supply oxygen and other industrial gases to Shanghai Huayi. The complex will manufacture methanol, acetic acid and other chemicals.

Praxair will build, own and operate three air separation units that will supply up to 7,500 tons per day (TPD) of oxygen and 5,000 TPD of nitrogen to the site. The new plants will start up in the second half of 2020 and the complex is expected to be Praxair’s largest investment in China to date.

Read more: Praxair to supply industrial gases to Shanghai Huayi

Laser technique may open door to more efficient clean energy

Research by the University of Liverpool could help scientists unlock the full potential of new clean energy technologies.

Finding sustainable ways to replace fossil fuels is a key priority for researchers across the globe. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a hugely abundant waste product that can be converted into energy-rich by-products, such as carbon monoxide.  However, this process needs to be made far more efficient for it to work on a global, industrial scale.

Electrocatalysts have shown promise as a potential way to achieve this required efficiency ‘step-change’ in CO2 reduction, but the mechanisms by which they operate are often unknown making it hard for researchers to design new ones in a rational manner.

New research published in the journal Nature Catalysis by researchers at the University’s Department of Chemistry, in collaboration with Beijing Computational Science Research Center and STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, demonstrates a laser-based technique that can be used to study the electrochemical reduction of CO2 in-situ and provide much-needed insights into these complex chemical pathways.

Read more: Laser technique may open door to more efficient clean energy