Engineering & Design
Solvay to utilize biomethane to replace a portion of natural gas used at its plant in Mexico
Solvay inaugurated an advanced biodigester at its Ciudad Juarez production site in Mexico. This energy transition project will generate biomethane from organic waste processed locally, replacing part of the natural gas needed to power the site’s boiler and kiln operations.
Digital Feature: A Case Study on achieving visibility into OT cybersecurity policy compliance
This case study details how a U.S.-based Fortune 50 petroleum refiner used PAS Cyber Integrity® to improve OT cybersecurity. By automating asset inventory and vulnerability assessments, the company reduced manual processes, enhanced visibility into cyber risks and improved safety-ultimately saving millions in program costs.
BASF unveils new HDPE brand Easiplas and HDPE construction milestones at Zhanjiang Verbund site
BASF has launched Easiplas, a new brand of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), alongside reaching significant construction milestones at the HDPE plant at the Zhanjiang Verbund site in China
Solarig to develop €1.15-B, 75,000-tpy Turboleta SAF in Spain
Solarig is progressing the development of sustainable aviation fuel projects with a portfolio that exceeds 400,000 tpy SAF production in Spain. Specifically, Solarig announced the development of a SAF production plant in Teruel. The project, named ‘Turboleta SAF,’ will have a production capacity of more than 75,000 tpy at a cost of €1.15-B.
Foundation stone laid for 1.2-MMtpy blue ammonia plant in Qatar
The facility consists of a 1.2-MMtpy ammonia production unit, along with an additional unit for CO2 injection and storage, with a capacity of 1.5 MMtpy. QatarEnergy will provide the new plant with more than 35 MW of electricity from the solar power plant currently being built in Mesaieed Industrial City, thereby becoming blue ammonia.
Clariant’s MegaMax™ catalysts to power China’s first biomass-to-green methanol project
Clariant's MegaMax catalyst was selected for a China’s biomass gasification-to-green methanol project. The plant will use a combination of farm waste and wind power to produce up to 250,000 tpy of green methanol in two phases by 2027.
Improving ammonia production sustainability
While approximately 70% of ammonia production is used to make fertilizers, it is also identified as the largest carbon dioxide (CO2)-emitting chemical industry process. This article examines several novel technologies to improve the sustainability of the ammonia production process.
Design optimization of an HVAC system in a petrochemical plant’s controls building
Since petrochemical plant control buildings are usually designed to be blast-resistant without external windows, convection ventilation cannot be carried out, leading to poor air circulation. As a result, there are higher requirements for indoor air quality, and it is necessary to optimize the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system design scheme to improve air quality.
Use advanced thermal insulative coatings to improve safety, maintain access and protect against corrosion
Throughout refineries, petrochemical plants and offshore oil and gas platforms, personnel are often required to work near equipment that operates at high temperatures. Protecting those workers from skin-contact burns has typically involved two approaches: implementing physical barriers and covering the hot assets with insulation and cladding. This article details how thermal insulative coatings can be used to improve safety and guard against corrosion.
Dow, Ambipar partner to promote plastics recycling in South America
This partnership aims to create an effective platform for plastic recycling and boost the recycling and waste management system in Brazil.

- AFPM/API: President Trump officially overturns California (U.S.) gas car ban 6/12
- Decision on oil refiner Italiana Petroli's sale expected around end-June 6/12
- EIA: U.S. crude stocks fall, gasoline and distillate inventories rise as refining activity increases 6/12
- AB Foods holds off bioethanol plant closure decision until June 25 6/12
- EU to subsidize high volume of greener aviation fuel to boost airline demand 6/12
- Solvay, Veolia inaugurate new unit for recycling industrial flue gas treatment residues in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France 6/12