Surge in plastics production defies environmental backlash

Cheap shale gas has fed an investment boom in products that often end up as waste. Has the petrochemicals industry miscalculated? Along the banks of the Ohio River in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, giant cranes whir overhead as thousands of construction workers toil away at what will be one of the largest plastic factories in the world. Once complete, the citadel of smokestacks and pipeworks will churn out 1.6m tonnes a year of pellets for manufacturers in a wide range of industries. They will then make things such as shrink wrap, shampoo bottles and…

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RTS Africa Technologies principal H2Scan opens new Environmental Conditioning Laboratory to further ‘refine’ hydrogen detection in gas process streams

Hydrocarbon fuels are essential for our daily existence. However, extracting usable fuels from crude oil is a complex process in which hydrogen plays a cardinal role, as the correct levels of hydrogen in a refinery process stream largely determine the quality of the final product. “At RTS Africa Technologies, we have been distributing H2Scan hydrogen detection and analysis products for the past decade. In particular, H2Scan’s Hy-Optima range of products have numerous applications in South Africa’s oil refineries,” says Ian Fraser, MD of RTS Africa Group, a Tshwane-based company specialising…

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Gradual shift from selling chemicals to selling solutions, Cisco suggests

International chemicals companies scramble to fast-track their digital transformation journeys as Cisco confirms that 40% of Fortune 500 companies will not exist in a meaningful way in ten years   March 15 2018: As a key sector of the South African economy, the chemicals industry accounts for about 25% of the nation’s manufacturing sales and is the most developed of its kind in Africa, according to the Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association, an industry group.   “To seize the Industry 4.0 opportunity, Cisco believes that chemical companies should leverage digital…

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Power underpins wave of African industrialisation

Power is closely tied to a surge of new infrastructure projects and rapid industrialisation across Africa, with significant opportunities still open to the power sector, delegates heard at a briefing for key power sector stakeholders in Sandton this week. Infrastructure spend across Africa will grow at 10% per annum from 2015 and 2025, exceeding $180 billion by 2025. Much of this is expected in Nigeria and South Africa with Nigerian infrastructure spend topping $77 billion by 2025, while in South Africa infrastructure spend may reach $60 billion by 2025. Strong…

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AECI to buy German chemicals producer from Imperial

AECI is acquiring German chemicals producer Schirm from Imperial for €110.5m (about R1.8bn), the JSE-listed companies said in separate statements on Wednesday morning. AECI said the deal was part of its international expansion strategy, and Schirm would operate as a standalone entity in what the group calls its plant and animal health pillar. Schirm operates four manufacturing plants in Germany — Schönebeck, Wolfenbüttel, Lübeck and Baar-Ebenhausen — and one in Ennis, in the US. AECI said this complemented its well-established businesses in Africa, Southeast Asia, the US and Australia. Agrochemicals…

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Spanjaard Limited Launches EP2 Grease

Spanjaard Limited, leading manufacturer of special lubricants and allied chemical products, has introduced EP2 Grease to its range of products. Spanjaard identified a need for a high quality lower-cost multipurpose grease to complement its range of specialised greases and has therefore introduced EP2 Grease to fulfil the needs of the market. Spanjaard EP2 Grease is a high quality, all purpose, lithium-based grease. It is suitable for lubrication of plain, needle, ball and roller bearings of all types. Spanjaard EP2 Grease is fortified with rust and oxidation inhibitors and is suitable…

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Yokogawa to Release ProSafe®-RS SIL2 Wireless Gas Detection System

Offering of a total system solution, including consulting and engineering–   Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces that it will release the ProSafe-RS® SIL2*1 wireless gas detection system in September.   The ProSafe-RS SIL2 wireless gas detection system will consist of a newly enhanced version of the Yokogawa ProSafe-RS SIL3 safety instrumented system (R4.03.10), Yokogawa field wireless network devices, annunciator panels, and GasSecure*2 GS01 or GS01-EA*3 wireless gas detectors.   For this system, Yokogawa will establish a total solution that will include both consulting and engineering.   In energy and basic materials…

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Yokogawa Acquires Norwegian Company with Advanced Chemical Injection Technology

– Strengthening our solutions targeting the oil and gas upstream and midstream sectors – Yokogawa Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6841) announces the acquisition of TechInvent2 AS, a Norwegian enterprise that holds the rights to FluidCom™, a chemical injection metering valve (CIMV). FluidCom prevents blockages and corrosion in oil wells, pipelines, and other facilities and employs a patented technology for thermal control. It incorporates the functions of a mass flowmeter, control valve, and valve controller and has very few moving parts. FluidCom has already been delivered to several international oil and gas…

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Manufacturing in South Africa

South Africa has developed an established, diversified manufacturing base that has shown its resilience and potential to compete in the global economy. This platform of manufacturing presents an opportunity to significantly accelerate the country’s growth and development. (Image: Brand South Africa) Brand South Africa reporter The manufacturing sector provides a locus for stimulating the growth of other activities, such as services, and achieving specific outcomes, such as employment creation and economic empowerment. This platform of manufacturing presents an opportunity to significantly accelerate the country’s growth and development. Manufacturing in South…

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Engen Chemicals gets exclusive rights to X-PURGE

Engen has been awarded the sole distribution rights for a product called X-PURGE in South Africa. Engen and PTT, the National Oil Company of Thailand, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Cape Town. Dr Emma Mokoena, Engen manager: chemicals and special products says the company is excited about bringing the new product to its customers. “As the leading producer and marketer of a wide range of fuels, lubricants and oil-based products in South Africa, we are very proud to add X-PURGE to our portfolio. In addition to our…

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