Engineering Aesthetics

Lloyd’s Register has partnered with H2Terminals Limited, HiDROGEN, and D3IM under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the feasibility of a green hydrogen infrastructure project in the UK. This initiative aims to develop floating production and transportation of hydrogen, addressing regulatory requirements and fostering economic growth along the Thames Estuary and River. The project entails establishing offshore renewable energy facilities and a floating island for green hydrogen production. Hydrogen will be liquefied, transported by ship, and converted into electricity and hot water at a terminal near London. Batteries on floating barges will store electricity for distribution, supporting regional industrial development and decarbonization goals. Mark Tipping, LR's Power to X Director, highlighted the project's potential to advance supply chain decarbonization and stimulate economic growth, while Gerry Wilkinson, CEO of H2Terminals, emphasized the initiative's ro

Eramet has achieved a significant milestone with the inauguration of its Centenario direct lithium extraction plant in Salta Province, Argentina. This groundbreaking facility marks Eramet as the first European company to achieve large-scale production of battery-grade lithium carbonate, essential for the electric vehicle industry. The Centenario plant, operating at an altitude of 4,000 meters, employs one of the most advanced Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) processes developed in-house, signaling a technological breakthrough. Initial production is set to commence in November 2024, positioning Eramet as a key global player in sustainable lithium production. Christel Bories, Group Chair and CEO, emphasized that the Centenario plant underscores Eramet's leadership in sustainable mining practices and commitment to eco-friendly operations. The project aims to produce 24,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate, placing it competitively on the lithium industry cost curve. L

 US Energy Corporation has expanded its operations into Montana, acquiring acreage within the Kevin Dome structure in Toole County. This strategic move aims to capitalize on helium production opportunities, with the company finalizing the acquisition through an agreement with Wavetech Helium. The newly acquired land holds promising helium reserves across Colorado, Kansas, and Montana, featuring inert nitrogen and carbon dioxide-heavy zones. US Energy plans to commence drilling activities on the Wavetech asset by late July or early August 2024. Ryan Smith, CEO of US Energy Corporation, expressed optimism about the acquisition, highlighting the transformative economic potential and competitive helium resources in the Kevin Dome structure. The company has also secured a non-binding letter of intent with Synergy Offshore for additional operated acreage nearby, consolidating a contiguous land position of approximately 164,000 net acres across the region. The move comes amid global helium su

At the 7th Kazakh-Chinese Business Council meeting in Astana on July 2nd, NC KazMunayGas JSC (KMG), SIBUR Holding PJSC, and Sinopec Overseas Investment Holding signed a pivotal Shareholders Protocol for the "Silleno" project. This landmark agreement marks the beginning of Kazakhstan's first integrated gas chemical complex, aimed at polyethylene production. Located in the Atyrau region, the facility will have a robust capacity of 1.25 million tons, symbolizing a significant step towards enhancing Kazakhstan's industrial capabilities and fostering economic growth through innovative chemical manufacturing solutions. The protocol underscores commitments to finalize investment budgets, maximize Kazakhstani content in project components, and ensure alignment with economic and technical feasibility considerations. The project is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, including a projected 1.2% GDP growth and significant job creation during both construction and

Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA) has completed the acquisition of The CoverFlexx Group from Transtar Holding Company, a strategic move aimed at enhancing its position in the automotive coatings sector. The CoverFlexx Group specializes in coatings for automotive refinish and aftermarket segments across North America, catering particularly to economy customers. This acquisition bolsters Axalta's portfolio with CoverFlexx's expertise, market presence, and renowned brands like Transtar® Autobody Technologies and Pro-Form™. Axalta aims to leverage synergies to broaden its market reach and deliver added value to its diverse clientele, aligning with its strategic focus on expanding the Refinish business. Chris Villavarayan, Axalta’s CEO and President, emphasized the strategic importance of this acquisition in advancing Axalta's comprehensive offerings in Refinish coatings. Troy Weaver, Axalta’s President of Global Refinish, looks forward to integrating CoverFlexx’s capabilities

Covestro and bp have entered a transformative 10-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for renewable energy sourced from a solar power plant in Spain. This agreement significantly boosts Covestro's renewable electricity consumption in Spain from less than 10 percent to approximately 30 percent, aligning with its goal of achieving operational climate neutrality by 2035. The partnership extends renewable energy supply to Covestro's major production site in Tarragona, aiming to slash CO2 emissions by about 16,000 tonnes annually. Thorsten Dreier, CTO at Covestro, emphasized the agreement's role in advancing their sustainability agenda, while Olvido Moraleda of bp Energía España highlighted its strategic significance in supporting industrial sectors' emissions reduction goals.

At the German Rubber Conference (DKT) 2024, Dow (NYSE: DOW) unveiled NORDEL™ REN Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymers (EPDM), a bio-derived variant aimed at enhancing sustainability in automotive, construction, and consumer applications. NORDEL™ REN EPDM supports decarbonization efforts by utilizing bio residues as raw materials, aligning with Dow’s goal to provide 3 million metric tons per year of circular and renewable solutions by 2030. This innovation, produced using an ISCC PLUS certified mass balance system, offers equivalent performance to virgin materials while reducing the carbon footprint by 39%, validated through third-party life cycle analysis.

DOF Group ASA has announced a landmark agreement to acquire Maersk Supply Service A/S (MSS) from A.P. Møller Holding A/S, positioning itself as a premier integrated offshore services provider. Valued at approximately USD 1.112 billion, the acquisition will be funded through a combination of cash and new shares issued by DOF, with MSSH retaining 25% ownership post-transaction. This strategic move adds 22 high-quality vessels to DOF's fleet, strengthening its market position in offshore energy and expanding capabilities in both oil & gas and offshore wind sectors. The merger aims to capitalize on synergies, operational scale, and growth opportunities, reinforcing DOF Group's status as a key player in the global maritime industry.

Helen, a prominent Finnish energy company, has selected Sweco as the EPCM partner for its inaugural green hydrogen production plant, set to launch operations by 2026. The facility aims to supply hydrogen primarily to the heavy-duty transport sector while achieving exceptional energy efficiency by integrating waste heat with Helen's district heating network. Sweco, known for its extensive experience in energy projects, will oversee regional infrastructure planning and manage the project's execution, including procurement and on-site operations. This collaboration marks Helen's strategic move into hydrogen investments, underscoring their commitment to sustainable energy solutions and carbon neutrality targets. Sari Mannonen, Helen's SVP of New Business and Hydrogen, highlighted the project's innovative approach in integrating electricity, transport, heating, and hydrogen sectors. She emphasized the pivotal role of hydrogen in Helen's future strategy and expressed

BASF and ENGIE have inked a 7-year Biomethane Purchase Agreement (BPA) aimed at supplying 2.7 to 3.0 terawatt hours of certified biomethane annually to BASF. This partnership strengthens BASF's sustainable energy strategy, slashing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy solutions across its Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Antwerp, Belgium, sites. Certified under a third-party Biomass Balance scheme, the biomethane will replace fossil fuels in BASF's manufacturing processes, offering customers reduced or zero Product Carbon Footprints (PCF). Matthias Dohrn, BASF's Head of Global Procurement, lauds ENGIE as a pivotal partner in their sustainability journey, emphasizing the transition to biomethane and circular economy principles. Edouard Neviaski, ENGIE’s CEO for Global Energy Management & Sales, underscores the deal's significance in advancing green chemistry and forecasts robust growth in biomethane BPAs amid rising global demand for sustainable energy solutions

Pure Energy Minerals Ltd. (TSX Venture: PE; OTCQB: PEMIF) has achieved significant milestones at its Clayton Valley lithium brine project in Nevada, in partnership with SLB (NYSE: SLB). The project now features a demonstration plant integrating subsurface expertise and advanced surface engineering technologies for direct lithium extraction (DLE). Key Achievements: - Secured final permits for plant construction and operation from governmental bodies. - Completed construction of the demonstration plant. - Commenced ongoing technical trials. Located on Bureau of Land Management lands near Silver Peak, Nevada, the project spans 950 BLM mineral claims. Pure Energy aims to become a leading supplier for the lithium battery industry, utilizing its substantial landholdings and strategic partnership with SLB. Joseph Mullin, CEO of Pure Energy, commented, "SLB’s demonstration plant represents a significant step toward sustainable lithium production. Ongoing trials reinforce confidence in SLB

 Albemarle Corporation has released its detailed plan for the Kings Mountain Mine, a significant lithium project in the U.S., aiming to produce about 420,000 tons of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate annually. This initiative is a crucial step towards bolstering the domestic supply chain for sustainable transportation and critical defense applications. Eric Norris, President of Albemarle Energy Storage, expressed excitement about leveraging this significant resource and involving the community in sustainable mining operations. The project plans to minimize environmental impact by reutilizing existing mining sites and repurposing waste material for construction aggregate, further aiming to explore secondary markets for ore tailings in ceramics or construction materials. Adhering to strict environmental and community standards, the mining operation is set to implement the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance's (IRMA) guidelines and will undergo rigorous third-party verific

In a decisive action to protect consumer health, the EU has voted to ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols in food contact materials (FCMs). These chemicals, known for their use in plastics, resins, and coatings for packaging such as cans and cardboard, have been linked to serious health issues including reproductive disorders and increased cancer risk. This regulatory step follows extensive scientific research revealing the toxic effects and endocrine-disrupting properties of these substances. The decision was solidified with an expert committee from EU member states endorsing a draft regulation to restrict these chemicals in most food packaging, an initiative first proposed by the European Commission. Sandra Jen from the Health and Environment Alliance praised the move, noting its crucial role in reducing public exposure to these dangerous chemicals. She further called for the extension of these restrictions to all consumer products to enhance protection and ensure en

 Ero Copper Corp. has successfully obtained the Operational License for its Tucumã Project from the Pará State environmental agency, marking the final step in permitting for the project set to commence production early in the third quarter of 2024. With the construction nearly complete at 99% and advanced commissioning already in progress, the company has also finalized hiring over 90% of the required operational staff. The anticipated initial concentrate production aligns with an investment of approximately $310 million dedicated to this project. The Tucumã Project has efficiently completed its mechanical installations, including the successful handover of the ball mill and the processing of the first ore through the primary and secondary crushers. The project is on track, with the first ore charge processed through the milling circuit and final stages of flotation and filtration commissioning nearing completion. David Strang, CEO of Ero Copper, highlighted the importance of the proje

 Orica and Fertiberia have achieved a significant milestone in sustainable mining by conducting Spain's first blast with low-carbon Technical Ammonium Nitrate (TAN) at the Canteras de Santullán quarry. This initiative, part of their partnership since September 2023, uses renewable hydrogen in TAN production, signaling a shift towards more environmentally conscious explosives in the industry. Gonzalo Fernández Ozalla from Fertiberia highlighted that this innovation marks the beginning of decarbonizing the mining sector, crucial for the energy transition. Pedro de Andrés Sáez of Canteras de Santullán emphasized the importance of this sustainable practice in reinforcing their commitment to environmental responsibility and community relations. Jesus Domingo of Orica stressed the pivotal role of this collaboration in promoting safer and more sustainable mining operations. He noted that using low-carbon ammonium nitrate is a significant improvement for the explosives and mining sectors.

  Inflection Resources, in partnership with Fleet Space, announced on Wednesday their collaboration to deploy space technology and AI in locating copper-gold deposits in Australia's Macquarie Arc. Utilizing Fleet Space’s ExoSphere solution, this venture marks the initiation of the world's largest ambient noise tomography (ANT) survey for copper across 1,800 km² in New South Wales under an agreement with AngloGold. The survey aims to create detailed 3D models of the subsurface to identify mineral-rich structures and zones beneath layers of sedimentary cover. The recent findings at the Duck Creek project have already revealed multiple high-priority drill sites, showcasing the efficiency of the ExoSphere technology in speeding up the discovery process. CEO Alistair Waddell of Inflection emphasized the precision and speed brought by ExoSphere's insights, which have rapidly identified promising new drilling locations. Inflection plans to expand the use of this technology across

Crystal IS, a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei, announced the launch of mass production for their advanced 100 mm diameter single-crystal aluminum nitride (AlN) substrates, achieving a notable 99% usable area. This milestone marks a significant step forward in meeting the needs of UVC LED applications and will be produced in the United States. The unique characteristics of AlN, such as its ultra-wide bandgap and superior thermal conductivity, enhance device reliability and performance, benefiting a range of technologies including UVC LEDs, RF, and power devices. Eoin Connolly, President and CEO of Crystal IS, highlighted the continuous improvements in substrate quality over the last nine months, demonstrating the capabilities of their Crystal Growth team. He emphasized the thermal benefits of AlN, which are critical in developing high-performing RF and power devices for telecom and mission-critical applications. Connolly expressed excitement about further collaborations to advance this materi

 Lloyd’s Register has granted approval in principle to SDARI, a leading Chinese design firm, for its groundbreaking ammonia-fueled 8,200 TEU containership concept. This achievement is the result of a collaboration between Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and MAN Energy Solutions (MAN E&S) within a joint development project. The design features a 73,000 cubic meter Type C ammonia containment system with a unique dome configuration within the tank connection space. It also incorporates the MAN 6G80-C10.5-LGIA Ammonia-Fueled Engine, equipped with a high-pressure selective catalytic reduction (HP-SCR) system to meet Tier II/Tier III emissions standards. Andy McKeran, LR's Chief Commercial Officer, stated, "With growing interest in ammonia as a future fuel to reduce maritime greenhouse gas emissions, this collaboration highlights the technical expertise of LR, SDARI, MSC, and MAN E&S in containership and ammonia fuel designs." Mr. Li Xin, Vice Director of SDARI, ad

 KBR's Purifier ammonia technology has been chosen by Wuhuan Engineering Co., Ltd. for the upgrade of El Nasr Company for Intermediate Chemicals' (NCIC) fertilizer complex in Egypt. The agreement includes a technology license, proprietary engineering design, and equipment for a new 1,200 metric tonnes per day ammonia production facility. Jay Ibrahim, President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, expressed enthusiasm about contributing to NCIC's expansion in the fertilizer industry through cutting-edge, sustainable technology. KBR's Purifier process, known for its energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint, offers a reliable and cost-effective solution for achieving sustainability objectives in ammonia production. KBR has a long-standing reputation as a pioneer in ammonia technology, having licensed or constructed over 250 ammonia plants globally since 1943. This project with NCIC further solidifies KBR's position as a leader in the industry, continuing its

Cyclohexanone prices in the USA climbed due to increased demand from nylon and pesticides industries, global supply constraints, and rising raw material costs.

  Haffner Energy launches "Paris-Vatry SAF" project with LanzaJet, aiming to produce 30,000 tonnes of SAF annually using advanced ATJ technology for sustainable aviation.

  Hy2gen Canada, set to build a green ammonia plant in Baie-Comeau by 2029, has secured electricity from Hydro-Québec for hydrogen and ammonia production, advancing green energy.

KBR’s Purifier ammonia technology was selected by Wuhuan Engineering Co. Ltd. for the expansion of El Nasr Company for Intermediate Chemicals’ (NCIC) fertilizer complex in Egypt.（

  Cà Mau Petroleum Fertilizer Joint Stock Company (Cà Mau Fertilizer, HoSE: DCM) has recently signed a cooperation agreement with Wuhuan Engineering Co., Ltd, a Chinese company, to study a project to increase the capacity of the Cà Mau Fertilizer plant.

I n Wuhan (China), Cà Mau Petroleum Fertilizer Joint Stock Company (PVCFC) officially signed a cooperation agreement with Wuhuan Engineering Co., Ltd., a Chinese company, expanding the development potential between the two parties.

  On April 11, at the headquarters of Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, Mr. Lê Mạnh Hùng, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Petrovietnam, met with Mr. Wu Xiangong, Vice President of CNCEC, and leaders from Wuhuan Engineering Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of CNCEC.

Acetic Acid market in Belgium stays robust, driven by consistent feedstock prices and high demand in construction, despite global supply chain challenges and regional conflicts.

  MEG prices in the US fell by about 4% in late May due to oversupply and disruptions, compounded by adverse weather and hurricanes impacting the oil and petrochemical markets.

Hamburg (Germany) - Benzene prices in Europe have sharply dropped due to declining aromatic naphtha costs, the key raw material for Benzene production. Factors influencing naphtha prices include global geopolitical tensions and abundant local stockpiles, impacting Benzene production costs across Europe. Analysts note a potential weekly downturn following interpretations of the recent OPEC+ meeting signaling increased supply, which bears negatively on prices. OPEC+, comprising OPEC and allied nations including Russia, has extended most production cuts into 2025 while gradually easing voluntary cuts by eight members. Benzene prices in the German market were observed at USD 1185 per MT, FOB Hamburg, in early June 2024. Concurrently, the Drag Reduction Agent (DRA) market is witnessing rapid expansion due to heightened adoption in the petrochemical sector. These agents, crucial for pipeline operations, reduce turbulence and enhance capacity via laminar flow. A significant decline in Benzene

 KBR is set to enhance El Nasr Company’s Intermediate Chemicals' (NCIC) fertilizer complex in Egypt through its cutting-edge Purifier ammonia technology. As part of its broader strategy to support the energy transition with low-carbon solutions, KBR will provide a complete package including technology licensing, proprietary engineering design, and equipment to expand NCIC's capacity by 1,200 metric tonnes of ammonia per day. This initiative is part of KBR's ongoing commitment to delivering high-efficiency, sustainable projects globally.

 KBR has confirmed that Wuhuan Engineering Co. Ltd. has chosen its advanced Purifier™ ammonia technology for the expansion of El Nasr Company for Intermediate Chemicals' (NCIC) fertilizer complex in Egypt. KBR will supply a comprehensive solution including technology licensing, proprietary engineering design, and specialized equipment to support the daily production of 1,200 metric tonnes of ammonia at NCIC’s facility.

 Parkland Corporation (TSX: PKI) announced on June 5, 2024, that it has entered into an agreement to sell its Canadian commercial propane business to Avenir Energy Ltd. for approximately $115 million in cash. As part of the agreement, Parkland will also become the exclusive fuel supplier for the next ten years. Ian White, President of Parkland Canada, commented, "This divestment is a significant step towards our goal of raising $500 million through the sale of non-core assets by the end of 2025. Focusing on our core operations allows us to streamline and improve returns. We are confident in our ability to achieve growth and create value in our Canadian operations." The transaction, pending specific closing conditions, is expected to finalize in the fourth quarter of 2024, with Scotiabank acting as the financial advisor. Parkland operates in 26 countries across the Americas, serving over 1 million customers daily. The company’s retail and commercial operations provide essentia