Features

Chemical Engineering Inspires Art
FIONA HAINES is a Bath-based artist who in 2016 heeded an invitation from Fringe Arts Bath to col...

Leaf-inspired microreactor
INSPIRED by nature, researchers have developed a leaf-shaped photo-microreactor that could one da...

First US shale gas arrives in UK
The Ineos Insight passes under the Forth Bridge on its way to Grangemouth

Russian River Runs Red
TWO photos emerged on social media on 6 September showing the water from the Daldykan river near ...

Snapshot - Deck The Halls
The winning images from a student photography competition run by the chemical engineering departm...

The age of industry using carbon dioxide as a resource begins
COVESTRO’S Dream Production project achieved a key milestone in June as it started commercial pro...

Wildfire Devastates Fort McMurray
STRIKING aerial photography shows a destructive wildfire burning through regions of northern Albe...

Snapshot - Picture that!
ICHEME member Omar Matar has won a scientific research photography competition for his image of a...
News

Volunteers publish guide to help public understand fill and finish and drug product release
Members of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering UK Affiliate (ISPE UK) and IC...

IChemE’s partnership with SAIChE ends
THE South African Institution of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE) has advised IChemE it no longer wish...

IChemE calls on members to plan centenary
ICHEME is looking for enthusiastic members to help plan and prepare for its centenary in 2022.

That’s it for 2019!
ICHEME’S UK headquarters are now closed for the Christmas and New Year holiday, and we at The Che...

IChemE announces the nominees to take up trustee positions in 2018
ICHEME has announced the final nominees for its 2018 trustee vacancies. Eighteen nominations from...

IChemE announces Extraordinary General Meeting
ICHEME will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 11 January in London, UK.

Nestlé may sell US confectionery arm
Confectionery makes up only 3% of US sales

DuPont provides tech for Dangote refinery
Delayed US$12bn refinery now expected in 2019

Gas marbles
Innovation sustains gas removal and loading

Products from sun and air
Demo plant produces renewable fuels and chemicals

Green Chemistry Challenge winners revealed
Dow, Merck and Amgen included in EPA honours

Green Chemistry Challenge winners revealed
Dow, Merck and Amgen included in EPA honours

INEOS unveils €2bn expansion in Europe
Plans new PDH plant and increased cracker capacity

Bringing mixed enzymes back to life
Post-denaturation recovery may cheapen drug making

Rob Best awarded IChemE Council Medal
EAF chair honoured for voluntary contribution

Bath process produces safer microbeads
Uses cellulose as a biodegradable alternative

Seeking to scrub radioactive waste
New organic framework removes iodine from water

Centrica sells Canadian gas assets
£413m sale includes 11 process plants

Bath process produces safer microbeads
Uses cellulose as a biodegradable alternative

3D printing of flexible porous silicone
Structures may be printed in wet or dry environments

Coconut oil driving plastic recycling
PC and PUR recovered from car plastics for foams

Ten die in Shandong petrochemical explosion
Blast thought to have been caused by gas tanker

Bio-based oxidation of pX into TPA
Two-phase microbial fermentation yielded 97 mol% TPA

Ten die in Shandong petrochemical explosion
Blast thought to have been caused by gas tanker

Bio-based oxidation of pX into TPA
Two-phase microbial fermentation yielded 97 mol% TPA

Novel ceramic nanofibre sponges
Highly deformable, versatile material created

SABIC joins forces with DuPont to improve EHS
DuPont will provide advice and experience

Cleaning up by speaking to biofilms
Coating controls bacterial growth or inhibition

World’s first commercial DAC plant opens
CO2 from Swiss plant will be fed to greenhouses

Circular economy standard launched
BSI issues world-first guidance for going green

Circular economy standard launched
BSI issues world-first guidance for going green

Condemnation as Trump Quits Climate Pact
Fears move could harm industry, investment & jobs

PPG gives up pursuit of AkzoNobel
Latest offer went ignored

ExxonMobil shareholders back climate report
62.3% force firm to disclose climate mitigation risk

AD out in the cold
Low-temperature anaerobic digestion demonstrated

Three Mile Island to close in 2019
Early closure driven by lack of energy policies

EU approves Areva-EDF nuclear reactor takeover
Transaction deemed to not unduly distort competition

The chemical sector and its digital journey
Looking at the technology focus behind Industry 4.0

Wood Group offers sale of Amec North Sea unit
Majority of oil and gas division offered, job fears

Dutch court dismisses AkzoNobel case
Shareholders lose fight to force out Burgmans

Shrunk food
Shape-shifting 3D-printed food may soup up industry

US and Saudi Arabia agree suite of deals
Saudi Aramco alone signed deals worth US$50bn

Nanoalloy catalyst may cut fuel cell platinum
Potential breakthrough for fuel cell cars

INEOS buys DONG oil & gas unit for US$1.05bn
DONG Energy will now be a pure play renewables firm

Speeding up quality control for biologics
Improving testing of drugs made by living cells

Lilly Kinsale made Gold Corporate Partner
Recognises site’s support of Irish engineers

Leeds will host Frank Morton Sports Day 2018
Over 3,000 chem eng students to attend annual event

Huntsman and Clariant in US$20bn merger
New global speciality chemicals company

Blast at Sasol-Total Natref refinery
Refinery partially closed, several injured

Covestro to expand CO2-using processes
CEO: targets to use more CO2, and in more products

Unilever trials sachet recycling process
Indonesia will host pilot plant to reuse plastic

Dow outlines new US$4bn investment plan
Plans for expansion and efficiency gains

Ian Shott wins President Medal
Recognises efforts on innovation

UK scientists develop disruptive membrane
Urges nuclear industry to rapidly introduce process

Acorn funding seeks to plant seed for UK CCS
Will use existing infrastructure to develop hub

ExxonMobil buys Singapore aromatics plant
JAC sells facility that has suffered troubled past

John McGagh takes office as IChemE president
Presidential address looks to future technology

Honeywell UOP wins US$1.6bn JPRC contract
Will provide technology for refinery expansion

AkzoNobel rejects final PPG offer
PPG ‘will review’ AkzoNobel response

Indonesian government sues PTTEP over Montara
Claiming over US$2bn for damage from 2009 disaster

Molecular sieve may produce better drugs
New way of creating left and right-handed molecules

Ragworm inspires shape-shifting material
Material could act as ‘muscles’ in soft robots

Liberty House announces new jobs and investment
Arc furnace boost will bolster GreenSteel strategy

Victoria to quash Loy Yang industrial action
State moves to protect power supplies

MPs: chemical industry needs clarity on REACH
Committee warns investment and jobs are at risk

Trump aims to lift offshore drilling bans
Executive order signed despite low oil demand

Living cartilage tissue 3D-printed
Bio-inks breakthrough in osteoarthritis treatment

Shockingly efficient water membranes
Electrical self-cleaning method improves efficiency

New process makes butadiene from biomass
Process could transform butadiene production

Bacteria worth their weight in gold
Bacterial gold made on surprisingly short timescale

Sinopec buys BP’s SECCO stake for US$1.68bn
SECCO makes olefins, polymers and other derivatives

Sinopec buys Chevron downstream Africa assets
Pays US$900m for assets in South Africa and Botswana

Nanocatalyst enables four reactions at once
Reduces steps and waste for greener chemistry

Using light to separate oil from water
Team creates surface by modifying titanium dioxide

Caterpillars eat plastic shopping bags
Waxworms offer solution to polyethylene pollution

Trump denies ExxonMobil drilling in Russia
Request for sanction waiver refused

Toshiba to create four subsidiaries
Restructure follows Westinghouse crisis

PPG ups AkzoNobel offer to €26.9bn
‘One last’ offer from PPG board

Engineers respond to UK Industrial Strategy
Call for systems-based approach, not silos

3D-printed glass breakthrough
Optics, data transmission & biotechnology potential

Nanostructures in nanoseconds
Pressure-based technique 9m times faster

ISC contributes to global safety resource
In Occupational Health and Safety Body of Knowledge

SNC-Lavalin buys Atkins for C$3.6bn
Merger will create a C$12.1bn company

PETRONAS Chemicals to build US$442m INA plant
Pengerang complex will host 250,000 t/y facility

Hydrogel membrane improves virus filtration
Could improve drinking water safety

Keppel agrees Singapore gasification facility
Final investment decision to follow

Making chemicals from algal biomass waste
Residue from oil extraction could be just as useful

Akzonobel to sell specialty chemicals unit
Follows rejection of two PPG Industries bids

Algae-based ‘water bottle’ crowdfunded
Alternative to plastic raises over US$1m investment

MOF device harvests water from dry air
Could help address water shortages in arid areas

Planetary dust has 3D-printing potential
May provide building blocks for future settlements

PM Group becomes Bronze Corporate Partner
Shows commitment to chemical engineering

UK carbon capture and storage funding announced
Research Centre funded until 2022

Fujifilm launches fine chemicals division
Completed tender offer for Wako on 3 April

Renewable plastic precursor from biomass
Could help cellulosic biofuel economics stack up

Shell admits it knew about Nigeria bribe cash
Makes U-turn

Report: Shell knew about Nigeria bribery
Charities publish leaked emails on OPL 245 purchase

Green Brexit: The problem with chemical rules
Why the Great Repeal Bill won't work for REACH

Novel MDF to be made at BP Saltend
Acetylation plant will help widen use of MDF

Unilever plans to sell spreads unit
Moves to mollify shareholder pressure

Peer warns of consequences of Industry 4.0
Lord Prior: we can’t leave people behind

Graphene oxide to ‘sieve’ salt from water
Membrane turns seawater into drinking water

SNC-Lavalin offers US$3.5bn for Atkins
Atkins board ‘prepared to recommend’ offer

Shell opens Bangalore technology centre
Will help 1,500 R&D staff to collaborate

INEOS buys Forties pipeline, Kinneil Terminal
Pipeline links directly to INEOS’ Grangemouth site

DuPont sells crop protection assets to FMC
Deal is necessary to gain EU approval for Dow merger

Total venture plans US cracker
Latest to tap feedstock advantage of shale gas

Treatment project seeks boost for bioenergy
Cleaning feedstocks will increase efficiencies

Westinghouse files for bankruptcy protection
Downfall follows cost overruns at US plants

Petrofac wins US$1.3bn Kuwait EPC contract
Will build sour gathering centre for Burgan field

Air Products abandons Yingde Gases bid
Bid not in shareholders’ interests

Hurricane Energy makes major UK oil discovery
Up to 1bn bbl could be in field west of Shetland

UK NDA will pay US$100m for ‘flawed’ tender
Cavendish Fluor contract cut, re-tender expected

Keystone XL gets presidential permit
Trump administration overturns Obama’s decision

Shell sells Gabon assets for up to US$1bn
Continues strategy of selling mature assets

Fawley opens new Isopar unit
Efficiency boost as production moves from Belgium

New CNT catalyst uses 100 times less platinum
Lower cost option for renewable energy storage

AkzoNobel rejects second PPG offer
Proposal ‘fails to reflect’ company’s value

UK’s largest pollution fine for Thames Water
Released 1.4bn l of sewage into waterways

Process turns used nappies into fuel
Provides more responsible alternative

Trump plan to cut CSB "risks lives"
Former agency chief shocked by proposal

Bechtel, BWXT end modular reactor project
No investors for Generation mPower

One-step crystallisation for zeolites
Could lead to commercial production of membranes

Newcastle students brew St Patrick’s Day beer
Scottish Bioenergy provides natural dye

Update: line failure caused upgrader fire
Injured worker remains in a stable condition

Fire injures one at Alberta upgrader
Worker in serious but stable condition

Macquarie sells remaining Thames Water Stake
Deal worth an estimated £1.35bn

South Australia outlines power plan
Seeks new plants and storage in face of crisis

Wood to buy Amec Foster Wheeler for £2.2bn
Combined company will be worth around £5bn

Dame Judith Hackitt joins Semta
Semta has key role in skills development, she said

Companies to launch bio-based PET bottles
Danone and Nestlé join with Origin Materials

First 3D-printed part in nuclear plant
World first commercial installation

Shell Canada cashes in on upstream oil sands
Still operator of Scotford upgrader and CCS project

GE sells water business to Suez
US conglomerate will use funds for merger

Science and skills support in new UK Budget
Advisory panel set up for North Sea oil and gas

Tomato skin and eggshells strengthen rubber
Waste offers sustainable carbon black alternative

Coal collapse drives UK emissions to new low
Bar 1920s strikes, emissions lowest since 1894

ExxonMobil announces US$20bn US investment
Will create 45,000 jobs at 11 sites

Saudi Aramco agrees US$2.2bn Shell fee
Formally ends collaboration on Motiva

MPs criticise UK industrial strategy
Call for focus on missions such as greening industry

Bentonite better than cement to seal wells
Regulations must change for widespread adoption

MIT machine synthesises peptides quickly
Opens doors to rapid drug prototyping and testing

PE and PP can combine with new method
Could mean common plastics can be recycled together

Total, Petrobras finalise strategic alliance
Will exchange assets and combine expertise

Saudi Aramco invests US$7bn in RAPID
Deal announced during King Salman’s state visit

Nanofertiliser works with less pollution
Yields increased by 10% with just half the urea

IChemE announces medal winners
Recognise outstanding contribution to profession

UV light-driven catalyst makes fuels from CO2
Rhodium catalyst selective towards methane

Ransomware takes control of water plant
Team expects infrastructure will be targeted

New Zealand's Cadbury plant set to close
Mondel?z plans shift to Australia to cut costs

UK invests £229m in research centres
Continues strategy to strengthen UK science

New council appointed to guide UK Greensteel
Will advise on implementing low-carbon metals sector

ABB loses US$100m in criminal scheme
Suspect is missing treasurer of South Korea unit

Singapore to introduce carbon tax
Public consultation to begin in March

New €12.6m AkzoNobel innovation hub in UK
Will develop coatings for mining, offshore, energy

Nanostraws sample cells without killing them
Technique could boost cancer and stem cell research

Kraft Heinz abandons Unilever bid
Deal dropped after “vehement” Unilever response

Unilever rejects Kraft takeover
Still working to reach an agreement

UK will continue in EU fusion research
Johnson: Euratom withdrawal not end of JET and ITER

Bank to assess animal fat note alternatives
Bank of England £5 notes will not be recalled

Lignin could replace phenol in wood glue
CatLignin makes use of paper byproduct

Chemical engineer in Forbes’ ‘30 under 30’
Amrit Chandan’s firm Aceleron recycles Li batteries

Electrolysis demo seeks green steel plant
Austria project will produce feedstock from water

UK competition seeks future engineering stars
Support for winners to bring ideas to reality

Bath’s Perera wins Everywoman academic award
Awards celebrate women in technology

Evonik forms pioneering digital subsidiary
Multidisciplinary team will test and implement ideas

IChemE launches new Silver Book contract
Developed for professional services agreements

UNIST to develop better seawater battery
Cheap batteries have green energy storage potential

Hastings buys rest of UK South East Water
Now manages 100% of company equity

‘No nuclear risk’ from Flamanville explosion
Five people suffered smoke inhalation

Teesside Collective presents financial case
Tees Valley could be ‘birthplace of clean industry’

3D-printed ceramic foam is stronger, lighter
Could make structures, tissue scaffolds, insulation

Delek buys North Sea explorer Ithaca
Company valued at a total of US$1.24bn

Enzyme process makes ammonia and electricity
Could one day be alternative to Haber-Bosch process

Sir Mark Walport to lead UK research funding
IChemE research head: we must work with new group

Reckitt Benckiser in talks for Mead Johnson
US$16.7bn offer on table

Amec Foster Wheeler becomes Gold partner
IChemE recognises commitment to future engineers

Manchester students win Macnab-Lacey prize
Greener solvent production clinches award

UK leaders meet to plan industry future
Look at how technologies can boost productivity

Two workers die at PetroSA GTL refinery
Unconscious Mossel Bay staff could not be revived

Image sensor engineers win QEPrize
Work has changed how we capture and analyse info

Chrysaor’s Shell deal creates North Sea major
Buys more than half of Shell’s production

UK nuclear faces prospect of Euratom exit
Expert warns leaving would be a “tactical own goal”

Explosion shuts Ghana’s refinery
No one injured, according to reports

DuPont joins project to boost biogas
Seeks to scale up fermentation process

Petronas reaffirms RAPID future
Project remains a priority and is on track

Versalis and Sonatrach eye Algerian projects
Eni chemicals firm agrees feasibility study

JandJ buys Actelion for US$30bn
Expands portfolio as top drug faces competition

Lu awarded Order of Australia
IChemE Fellows McCann and Hector also honoured

Nanotube sensors can detect single molecules
Most sensitive yet according to researchers

Iron hydroxide coatings decontaminate water
A*STAR finds way to immobilise nanoparticles

SABIC buys out Shell’s SADAF JV stake
Joint venture originally meant to expire in 2020

New way to spin artificial silk
Water streams cause fibrils to stick together

UK publishes Industrial Strategy
Government plans new active role

Preventing epidemics before they break out
Coalition seeks sustainable vaccine development

Keppel to build Singapore desal plant
Wins work for country’s fourth facility

NAO: UK CCS competition ‘not value for money’
BEIS must learn lessons from two failed CCS attempts

AkzoNobel launches chemicals challenge
Seeks all comers to partner on societal challenges

Cork wins Sustainability Teaching Award
Set up by IChemE Education and Sustainability SIGs

Erin Johnson IChemE’s 2017 Ashok Kumar Fellow
Will spend three months at UK parliament

Big industry pushes for hydrogen future
Shell and partners call for government support

New adhesive made from PLA, mussel glue
Could lead to more easily recycled goods

Closing the loop on MDF
UK company claims world-first recycling process

Trudeau says oilsands will be phased out
Comments cause controversy in Alberta

UK chemeng student numbers fall
Interest cools following 14 years of growth

NuScale submits SMR design to US authority
Milestone for power generation, company claims

Project aims to turn prawn shells into bags
Chitosan polymer offers plastic alternative

Air Products licenses NTNU CCS membrane tech
Energy efficient way to capture CO2

Synchrotron shows that defects make catalysts
Long-standing hypothesis confirmed

Rolls-Royce joins with AStar on smart tech
Will work together on processes and IoT

E. coli engineered to make serine
Useful for detergents, cosmetics, biochemicals

Air Products bids for China gas leader
Deal would strengthen position in key growth market

ORNL crystals capture CO2 directly from air
Method needs minimal energy and chemicals

Petra Nova takes CCS top spot
US project can capture 1.4m t/y of CO2

Rolls Royce reveals SMR partners
Says novel nuclear tech could create 40,000 new jobs

Pine trees make plastic more sustainable
Waste product pinene may reduce crude oil dependence

Covestro leads greener wastewater project
Joint project seeks benefits beyond plastics sector

Iron ore prices set for major fall
Australian government expects wider earnings climb

ExxonMobil develops new way to dehydrate gas
The cMIST system is smaller and cheaper

Use offshore power stations to cut emissions
New thinking needed to meet climate goals

Engineers create leaf-inspired microreactor
Team embeds flow reactor into a lightguide

EEF use 2017 to inspire next-gen engineers
Publishes list of facts and myths to boost uptake

Nottingham Ningbo accredited by IChemE
Becomes second accredited course in China

Ex-Exxon CEO set for US$180m severance
Tillerson will recuse himself from gov decisions

Producing vaccines more quickly
Fraunhofer route hints at more effective treatments

US$2bn DOE loan to Lake Charles Methanol
Will use petroleum coke and capture carbon

Fluor to build US diabetes medicine plant
Will complete full scope of work for Novo Nordisk

Linde and Praxair agree merger
Follows resumption of talks in November

Obama, Trudeau ban Arctic oil drilling
US Atlantic coast also affected in new decision

Clifford awarded citation by RACI
Australian body recognises Fellow’s contributions

Wan Ramli wins Merdeka award
Recognises work on fuel cells and hydrogen

RCC agrees downstream complex in Saudi Arabia
Sadara will supply unique speciality facility

BP takes stake in Abu Dhabi onshore fields
Continues expansion after years of asset sales

Chemeng Matters in Parliament
Guests discuss discipline’s impact on modern life

Professional bodies to monitor diversity
New framework from RAEng and Science Council

Statoil quits oil sands sector
Sells assets to focus on core activities

One dead after winds break up Azeri oil rig
Nine workers still missing

Microwaves make better graphene
Could be useful for mass commercialisation

Asahi buys European brewing assets
Acquires Tyskie and Urquell to drive growth

AIChE chosen to lead US$140m US process centre
Will combine processes into modular units

Investors launch US$1bn clean tech fund
Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos involved

New Bayer firm focuses on stem-cell therapies
Seeks Parkinson’s and cardiovascular treatments

Trump picks Liveris as manufacturing advisor
Chemical engineer to bring industry back to America

Evonik pays US$630m for JM Huber silica unit
Purchase will strengthen Evonik’s portfolio

Non-OPEC countries agree to cut output
Oil prices rise to highest since 2015

ThyssenKrupp suffers professional hack attack
Hackers target process plant unit and steal data

Glencore, QIA may take €10.2bn Rosneft stake
Russia says deal is already done

Shell signs MoU for exploration in Iran
Latest major firm looking to return to country

Record UK fine for Pfizer for drug price hike
Distributor Flynn Pharma also fined

Tata deal secures UK steelworks
Unions agree commitment to production and investment

Boron catalyst turns propane into propene
Will help meet growing demand for plastic feedstock

Solvay kicks the Acetow habit
Cigarette filter unit sold as part of transformation

£60m EPSRC funding for advanced manufacturing
£87.5m funding from partners for six research hubs

Germany must compensate for nuclear closures
Court orders state to pay utilities for shutdowns

Sargent awarded MM Sharma medal
Recognises pivotal role establishing PSE

F1’s Gallagher to give third Kletz lecture
Four Hazards 27 keynote speakers also announced

BP to invest US$9bn in Mad Dog field
Will produce up to 140,000 bbl/d

Baker Hughes forms new US fracking firm
Pure play fracker will reduce capital intensity

Nestlé makes sugar crystals with less sugar
Allows tongue to perceive same sweetness

OPEC agrees to cut output by 1.2m bbl/d
Global oil prices already beginning to rise

Praxair and Linde resume tie-up talks
Merger would create largest gases company

Huge Chernobyl arch finally seals off reactor
Largest moveable land-based structure now in place

AmecFW wins ITER decom contract
Will lead concept study on dismantling fusion device

Diamond battery made from nuclear waste
Team seeks to scale up method to harness carbon-14

Squeezing boosts platinum catalyst activity
Could be used in fuel cells, for water splitting

Vacuum and press offer e-textile breakthrough
Team overcomes deposition and reduction challenges

Shell and Cosan commit to Brazil
Agree a permanent venture for sugar and fuels

Singapore to help struggling offshore sector
S$1.6bn in loans to be made available

UK set for world first gasi plant
Will convert household waste into gas for the grid

Catalytic conversion of plastics to jet fuel
Could lead to refinery processes, say US researchers

Paint converts waste heat to power
Team claims efficiency boost

OCP, Ethiopia build US$3.7bn fertiliser plant
Part of vision for agriculture development in Africa

Dr Pepper Snapple buys Bai Brands drinks
US$1.7bn buy will boost healthier drinks portfolio

UK prioritises investment in innovation
Chancellor announces £23bn productivity fund

One-step process to make diesel from CO2
Uses low-cost delafossite catalyst

Fighting fracking with gas from grass
Firm calls on gov to support greener route

Scalable liquid method for 2D nanomaterials
Solutions made from salts and selected solvents

New way to make hydrogen from ammonia
Could be a useful ‘benign’ hydrogen fuel source

May sketches out modern industrial strategy
New approach seeks to address historic weaknesses

First SE Asian Corporate Partner for IChemE
DNV GL Malaysia gains Bronze status

UK government must commit to innovation
Academies call for hike in research spending

LEDs on foil hint at portable water treatment
Ohio researchers herald breakthrough development

Report CCS needs urgent acceleration
4bn t/y of CCS needed, just 4m t/y available

Oil professionals pick Shell as best employer
Survey looks at values, performance and pay

Saying it with chemicals
Researchers develop chemical communication system

Exxon adds more US polyethylene capacity
New investment will contribute to 40% hike

Degrading plastic smell attracts seabirds
Manufacturers urged to find way to stop biofouling

IChemE COP22 event examines COP21 solutions
Low carbon technologies must be a priority

Samarco miners given 30 days to pay US$350m
Court demands funds to begin cleanup operations

Uranium sale points to next-gen enrichment
Deal pivotal to laser enrichment commercialisation

Solar Impulse sets up clean tech alliance
Will build on legacy of round-the-world aeroplane

PETRONAS will study Sarawak methanol complex
Also signs gas supply agreement for ammonia project

One killed in brewery ammonia leak
Another remains hospitalised in a serious condition

Courts hand out prison terms for Tianjin blast
Chairman given two year suspended death sentence

Rewritable, self-erasing ‘paper’ developed
Electrospun material could reduce global paper waste

Pfizer plans closure of two UK sites
Decision affects up to 370 employees

Unilever, Suchel build US$35m Cuba factory
Factory will make home and personal care items

Total and CNPC sign Iran South Pars deal
Project will see US$6bn invested in oil field

PNNL turns sewage into biocrude
Process could be used for other wet organic waste

Firms launch oil decommissioning partnership
Aim to provide one-stop solution for UK projects

Sirius seeks US$900m to construct UK mine
Plans are to begin construction next year

Oil majors pledge US$1bn climate tech fund
Will first focus on CCS and methane reduction

Johnson Matthey wins top prize at Awards 2016
Firm also won Industry Project of the Year Award

Owner calls time on Hazelwood plant and mine
Also seeks sale of Loy Yang B and Kwinana sites

Steelworkers support UK fracking
Community and UKOOG join forces for industry

Report Oil CEOs to reveal climate tech fund
Chiefs to outline initiative on Friday, says Reuters

Bionic spinach can detect explosives
MIT plants cross plant/human communication barrier

GE set to sluice away water unit
Seeks sale as it agrees oil and gas merger

GE merges oil and gas unit with Baker Hughes
New Baker Hughes will have US$32bn revenue

FuelCell Energy, Exxon test novel CCS tech
Demonstration plant announced in Alabama

BASF explosion claims fourth worker
Early indications are that wrong pipeline was cut

GE, Baker Hughes consider oil and gas merger
GE confirms that discussions are underway

Kumar Fellow briefs MPs on nuclear security
New POSTnote covers physical and cyber security

What we need from a UK Industrial Strategy
Process industry cluster calls for systems thinking

Total and Petrobras form oil alliance
MoU for collaboration in Brazil and overseas

CO2-reuse consortium seeks industry partners
Eyes large-scale market to capture and use emissions

Twin wins at IChemE Malaysia awards
Palm oil and energy majors scoop prizes

NUS secures three awards at IChemE ceremony
Wins for work to treat waste, water and save energy

Lee Tzu Yang made IChemE Honorary Fellow
Recognises work in Singapore petroleum sector

21 homicide charges over Samarco disaster
BHP Billiton rejects charges against its employees

Johnson Matthey is new Gold Corporate Partner
Joins BP, Ingen, Shell and KBR in top category

Germany approves industry nuclear waste deal
€23.6bn fund will cover waste storage and disposal

Third worker found dead at BASF site
One still missing and eight seriously injured

UK considers how to use small reactor opportunity
Balance between delivery speed and IP discussed

India may invest US$15bn in Nigerian oil
Countries’ petroleum ministers meet in New Delhi

Two killed in Ludwigshafen explosion
Two missing and six seriously injured

Essar sells refining assets
Deal secures access to India’s fast-growing market

Spiky catalyst converts CO2 to fuel
Could help balance electricity grid

New route to alcohols and aldehydes
Research points to one pot heterogeneous process

BP abandons Great Australian Bight drilling
Oil major says project not competitive

Lignin improves TiO2 sunscreens
Waste product a useful, natural alternative

Imperial opens new membrane centre
Chemical engineers head up Barrer Centre efforts

New CCS research facility opens in Melbourne
Will build on university’s existing research

Norway invests US$162m in CCS
CCS one of government’s five climate priorities

Gostomski wins IChemE Hanson Medal
Article recounts university’s efforts after quakes

HRH Tuanku Zara Salim made IChemE patron
Will help raise awareness of profession in Malaysia

Novartis to close Singapore research facility
Will relocate to US as part of wider ‘realignment’

RAEng to develop new promotion campaign
Aims to change the way engineering is perceived

UOP, Chevron use ionic liquids in refineries
New alkylation technology gives same yield of octane

BP Clair platform shut down after oil spill
No injuries or evacuations at North Sea platform

OPEC agrees to cut oil output
First such agreement in eight years

KBR wins Hinkley Point C management contract
News follows EDF board approval for project

IChemE launches updated technical strategy
Chemical Engineering Matters now in third edition

First US shale gas arrives in UK
Tanker carries ethane to INEOS plant

Lanxess buys Chemtura for US$2.7bn
Company to expand additives business

Linde to expand industrial gases plant
Company to invest US$100m to increase production

IChemE confirms new CEO, Jon Prichard
Veteran is known for pushing professional standards

Wastewater injections cause earthquakes
Study says risk can reduced through monitoring

Total, Ecoslops to develop oil residue plant
Marseille facility can reprocess residue to biofuel

Waste plastics turned into hydrogen and CNTs
New option for growing waste stream

Saudi Aramco fire injures eight workers
Ras Tanura terminal operations unaffected

Four killed in Chinese MDI unit explosion
Four others injured at Wanhua Chemical’s plant

Mullen named new COO of CB&I
Chemical engineer promoted from executive VP role

Graduates don't have right industry skills
Employers say work experience is skills gap solution

Unilever to acquire Seventh Generation
Aims to attract “new generation” of consumers

Aker, Det norske, Subsea 7 in oil alliance
Will work together for offshore projects in Norway

Linde, Petronas to build air gas facility
JV to invest €150m in Pengerang complex

Waste glycerol gasified to make hydrogen
New solution for biodiesel byproduct

Operations suspended at Barrick gold mine
Spilled process solution caused temporary shutdown

Quest beats 1m t CCS target
Shell shares lessons, to slash future costs

Statoil revives plans for offshore field
Company prepared to invest up to US$7.2bn

UK government approves Hinkley Point C
£18bn deal to come with “significant new safeguards”

New method for isolating iron catalysts
Catalyst structure could lead to better fuel cells

SoCal reaches US$4m settlement for gas leak
Settlement includes fine, penalties and equipment

PotashCorp, Agrium agree merger of equals
New US$36bn company to be scrutinised by regulators

‘Goldilocks’ membrane perfect for fuel cells
Lasts three times longer than commercial membranes

Norilsk Nickel admits fault for red river
Overflow in tailings dam caused iron salts leak

Linde and Praxair abandon merger talks
No agreement could be reached

Parliamentary report sets out plan for UK CCS
Immediate action will save ‘billions’

IChemE Fellows elected at RAEng's 40th AGM
Ghadiri and Lye honoured with 48 other engineers

IChemE Energy Centre hosts Low Carbon Summit
Summit introduces energy innovations from industry

Sargent receives RAEng Whittle medal
Medal honours outstanding and sustained achievement

Total takes control of Barnett Shale assets
Buys remaining 75% from Chesapeake

Russian officials to investigate red river
Nickel pollution cited as possible cause

Engineers treat printed graphene with lasers
Method could enable paper electronics

NMiTE reveals engineering degree curriculum
“World’s most radical” institute opens consultation

Smartphone can hack 3D printers
‘Leaked’ energy and acoustic waves measured

Enbridge to buy Spectra for US$28bn
Deal to create largest NA energy infrastructure Co.

Neste and IKEA partner for renewable plastics
Other companies also invited to join

GE to buy 3D-printers Arcam, SLM for US$1.4bn
GE to expand aircraft, other component manufacturing

Leading nanoscale imaging centre opens in UK
Will allow atom-level analysis of materials

Nigeria's oil production down 17% in Q2
Militant attacks contribute to majority of loss

Hyundai wins contract for fertiliser plants
Consortium to build five Russian plants worth US$5bn

Russia Saudis agree to stabilise oil market
Will act alone, if required, to freeze production

UK government plans to ban microbeads
Effort to forbid face scrubs that kill fish

Rosneft ChemChina further FEPCO project
Deal specifies timetable for FEED work

3D-printed tool receives world record
Trim-and-drill tool is largest solid 3D-printed item

UK engineering graduate positions fall
Firms are repackaging jobs as apprenticeships

Initial results revealed in Florida explosion
CSB investigating incident that killed one worker

Corn oil can remove heavy metals from water
Fatty acids in vegetable oil combine with metals

ChemChina, Saudi Aramco, NICDP sign MoU
Deal to explore chemical investments in Saudi Arabia

Flaws led to tragic Samarco dam collapse
Investigators report on mudslide that killed 19

US to destroy 2,600 t of chemical stockpile
US$4.5bn project to dismantle 780,000 shells

Simple extraction of gold from e-waste
Non-toxic amide could lead to cheap solution

PotashCorp and Agrium in merger talks
Deal could create Canadian fertiliser giant

ExxonMobil and partners quit LNG project
Companies see Alaska project as unprofitable

Mondel?z abandons Hershey takeover
Rosenfeld says no way forward

Chlorine leak shuts Axiall Natrium facility
Facility now being assessed for reopening

New glass coating blocks 90% of sun’s heat
Could cut carbon emissions in warm climates

Technip, BTL to build biomass-to-oil plants
Will develop technology for fuel and feedstock

Non-toxic battery could be safely ingested
Useful for ingestible medical devices

IET, MTC seek chemical SMEs for R&D programme
Looking for companies to solve healthcare challenges

Pfizer adds AZ antibiotics to portfolio
Includes Zaficefta and Merrem for serious infections

Lab-on-a-stick tests antibiotic resistance
Microcapillaries can be read by eye or smartphone

Pfizer buys Medivation for US$14bn
Will add advanced cancer therapies to portfolio

Transocean Winner rig refloated off Lewis
Will now be towed to the east of the island

Foo wins Top Research Scientists award
ASM programme showcases Malaysian science talent

Carbon molecular sieves separate xylenes
Could save 20 power stations’ worth of energy

Emerson to buy Pentair unit for US$3.15bn
Company looks to expand automation business

Operation Ghoul hunts engineering industries
Cybercriminals use malware to access corporate data

Neonicotinoids tied to long-term bee decline
Previously only studies on acute exposure

Linde confirms Praxair merger talks
“Preliminary talks” are underway

Two dead in ammonia leak at Petronas plant
Three more hospitalised after inhaling gas

Praxair in merger talks with Linde
Early discussions underway, according to source

Creative engineers – not a myth
Liam Hayes gives a glimpse of the future

Work to begin on Tees Renewable Energy Plant
299 MWe biomass plant will begin operating in 2020

IChemE accreditation for University of Oviedo
Chem eng course backed by institution

Teesside Collective tenders for CCS pilot
Hopes to launch industrial CCS scheme

21 killed in China coal plant blast
High-pressure steam pipe exploded during testing

Scientists sequester CO2, create electricity
Power cell also creates valuable by-product

2016 IChemE Awards finalists announced
16 awards will be presented on 3 November

Nanotechnology to soup up fuel cells
US team receives US$2.5m to boost technology

First Hull chemeng master’s students graduate
Course continues to grow with 120 expected in 2016

Chemical engineers synthesise LGA
LGA among the 30 most valuable chemicals

IOI palm oil sustainability suspension lifted
RSPO satisfied with action plan

IChemE member shoots to Olympic Gold
Catherine Skinner clinches victory in women’s trap

Rig grounded in Scotland amid severe weather
Broke free of tug; no risk to life, reports MCA

Composites stronger with CNT 'stitches'
Method could make aeroplane materials lighter

AB InBev to cut 576 UK jobs after merger
SABMiller operations to be “significantly impacted”

Chevron to sell US$5bn of assets in Asia
Coincides with plans to sell US$10bn of assets

Making nail polish while producing hydrogen
Efficient process saves high-energy purification

IChemE Ashok Kumar, Andrews Fellowships open
Support young chemical engineering researchers

2016 IChemE Medals nominations open
Includes the new Davidson Medal for mentors

IChemE names SE Asia Awards 2016 finalists
Singapore and Malaysia to present awards in October

N-doped biochar from chicken poo captures CO2
Biochar is cheap, selective and reusable

UK government delays Hinkley Point C
Announcement comes just hours after EDF approval

Statoil buys major stake in Brazilian field
US$2.5bn Petrobras deal is group’s largest in years

Adding CO2 improves biofuel production
Method controls ionic liquid toxicity, lowers costs

EDF investors agree fundraising for Hinkley C
€4bn equity edges project closer to final decision

GSK to invest £275m in UK manufacturing
Says UK is still "attractive" despite Brexit

Sustainable palm oil expansion is possible
Austrian team assesses global land-use, suitability

Solar Impulse 2 completes world tour
Feat proves efficiency of renewable technologies

Garden grass can unlock "green" energy
First process to use raw biomass

Vietnam aborts US$22bn oil refinery
Environmental concerns and delays factor decision

MIT creates new nanolayer composites
Stacking method inspired by pastry chefs

Supersonic magnesium gets commercial partner
Enirgi to help develop IChemE award-winning tech

Simons: DECC-BIS merger could benefit climate
UK’s new BEIS must not lose its climate focus

Oil Search will not revise InterOil bid
Hopes to cooperate with ExxonMobil in Papua LNG

Grant supports US nuclear waste research
WSU and PNNL will look at chemical reactions

Report: CCS in UK could cost £30bn more
Scrapping of government funding ‘short-termist’

Tesoro, Par Hawaii reduce refinery pollution
Reach a settlement with US EPA and DoJ

ExxonMobil bid for InterOil ‘superior’
Board has been in negotiations with Oil Search

Bayer increases Monsanto bid to US$65bn
Bayer confident new bid will overcome resistance

The cyber security risks of 3D printing
Could be subject to attacks, introduced defects

Reports BASF in talks with Monsanto
Early talks about further agrochem consolidation

IChemE member wins Salters' Graduate Prize
Award recognises industry leadership potential

Nexen completes accident investigations
350 jobs to be cut in wake of leak and explosion

Promethean opens first nanomaterials plant
€9.7m plant can manufacture over 1,000 t/y

Ineos expands acetate production at Hull
Company also approves US$1bn US shale import

Saipem awarded over €1.5bn for EPCI
Contract to develop Zohr field in Mediterranean Sea

Hinkley Point C cost estimates rise to £37bn
DECC says this is due to increasing wholesale costs

Clariant makes clean-burning gas from coal
VESTA technology pilot plant proven

Replacing oil with wood in chemical making
Potential for renewable source of drugs and plastics

UK experts conditionally approve fracking
Government will not accept all CCC recommendations

Alcoa opens new 3D metal printing facility
Will make powders for aerospace parts

Male, pale and stale?
NWED 2016 looks at status of female engineers

Danone to buy WhiteWave for US$12.5bn
Purchase will help meet healthy eating pledge

Solvay to build hydrogen peroxide unit in Brazil
myH2O2 technology reduces shipping footprint

Starbons offers new method of carbon capture
New approach is greener as it is made from waste

Shampoo bottle empties to last drop
Special surface resists liquid soap adherence

PEIs speak with one voice on EU negotiations
Offer advice and support to Brexit negotiators

Chevron approves US$36.8bn oilfield expansion
Kazakhstan development largest in sector since 2014

IChemE journals celebrate impact increase
FBP & ChERD in top 40 chemical engineering journals

Yeast surfactant cleans up heavy metals
Natural product is environmentally compatible

United Utilities is Silver Corporate Partner
First Silver level partner in the water sector

Hershey rejects US$23bn Mondelez bid
Bid provided “no basis for further discussion”

DoE funds 50m+ t CCS project
US$68.4m phased project will be operational by 2025

SIP says UK safety engineers in short supply
Report highlights skills shortfall in STEM by 2025

Helium discovery a 'game changer'
Discovery approach helped find huge Tanzania reserve

CCSA report highlights lessons to learn
Authors speak to Peterhead, White Rose projects

Dow to cut 2,500 jobs after Corning deal
Silicones facilities in US and Japan to shut down

Wood Group wins US$120m Leviathan contract
Will conduct FEED and detailed engineering

Clariant to reduce CO2 in steel industry
By-product gases can be used in chemical production

Petronas receives tallest fractionator column
121 m column lands in Pengerang

Germany bans fracking after years of debate
End of five-year moratorium stokes quick action

California pipeline spills 700 bbl of oil
Oil spills into Ventura canyon, does not reach beach

Adrian Chiles to host IChemE Global Awards
2016 awards adds two new categories

UK must establish new trade deal with EU
Sector reps urge considered response to leave vote

Chemengers make Top 50 Women In Engineering
WES launches list to celebrate NWED 2016 in the UK

New way to turn waste polyethylene into fuel
Uses mild reaction conditions and cheap solvents

Obama signs chemical safety bill into law
Law named for US chemical safety champion

Mining industry funds molten salt technology
Technology can be used to make potassium fertilisers

Evonik commercialises first biosurfactants
Made from a yeast found in bumblebee honey

Porous foam more efficient in NVH dampening
Material can compress without spilling out

Turning captured carbon into nanotubes
1 t of gas would make US$225,000 worth of nanotubes

Bacteria offer benign rare earths separation
Absorbed metals can be selectively washed out

RIL develops new benzene extraction process
Commercialises method after creating robust solvent

Ambassadors named for Industrial Cadet scheme
Industry heads front accredited work experience push

Greensteel rescues Scottish steel plants
Plants set to make steel for wind farms

BASF to buy Chemetall for US$3.2bn
Purchase will enhance BASF’s coatings business

Polymer turns methane into methanol
Promises continuous production at room temperature

Queen Birthday honour for plastic banknote pioneer
Chemical engineer gets highest Australian honour

Worker dies in gas blowout in UK potash mine
Investigation underway; recent incidents alarm MP

Covestro uses captured CO2 to produce plastics
Dream Production begins after decades of R&D

Technip buys BP ethanol-to-ethylene process
Hummingbird increases selectivity, lowers costs

Arup is Bronze Corporate Partner
Recognised for commitment to professionalism

Nanorods ooze water in high humidity
Discovery made accidently during nanowire experiment

IEA says oil market is rebalancing
Supply drops, demand rises but inventories huge

Scotland hit 2020 emissions target in 2014
Great news, but firm government action needed

Methane emissions test site to be built in US
Researchers given US$3.5m to build and operate site

Delta Avengers open to talks with conditions
Militants say lives may be taken if repairs are made

Sweden could build up to ten nuclear reactors
Abolishes tax, provides confidence for investment

Westlake to buy Axiall for US$3.8bn
Deal creates second largest PVC firm in US

Call for urgent change to oil & gas industry
Industry given two years to change direction

Oil slump could take 120,000 UK jobs
Oil & Gas UK warns 'difficult decisions' ahead

Converting CO2 emissions into rock
Solution is faster and leak-free

Weak energy policy threatens COP21 targets
Australia, India, South Africa face difficulties

Shell donates Canada rights to marine park
Conservation park will have ‘global significance’

FDB boosts contract drug production five-fold
Joins Merck at Brinny site in commercial-scale play

US Senate approves chemicals regulation bill
Bill to control toxic chemicals will go to Obama

SABIC joins Teesside CCS Collective
Brings CCU experience from project in Saudi Arabia

Shell commits to chemicals growth
Will double deepwater output; exit ten countries

Fossil fuel industry told not to ignore COP21
Gap between agreement and policies, says Lord Stern

New weapon against resistant bacteria
A*STAR researchers develop triclosan alternative

US$100m global problem solving competition
MacArthur Foundation launches 100&Change

3D printing to improve membrane technology
Method will allow rapid prototyping and testing

ISC strengthens collaboration in Malaysia
MoU deal will see coordination in safety education

P&G to remove phosphate from cleaning tablets
Fairy brand tablets to lose 14,000 t of phosphate

Catalyst drives reaction in both directions
Could be used in fuel cells, batteries

Smart algorithm for black plastic recycling
Radar camera can detect and sort plastics by type

Industry leaders want UK to remain in EU
CEOs sign letter saying both will be weaker alone

Nestlé, DBV develop milk allergy test patch
DBV patch for early diagnosis in babies

Niger Delta Avengers attack more oil sites
Militant group goes for Chevron, NNPC facilities

Rosneft, Pertamina sign Tuban petchem deal
Plant will have 15m t/y capacity

Strikes hit France refineries
Blockades and sabotage halt fuel deliveries

New aluminium casting facility set for UK
Supports Jaguar Land Rover’s push for lighter cars

Monsanto rejects Bayer bid but open to talks
Notes benefits of seed and crop chemicals tie-up

Shell announces another 2,200 job cuts
BG merger aftermath includes 475 jobs from North Sea

EU approves SABMiller AB InBev merger
Deal subject to sales that guard competition

IChemE swears in Seville as new president
Presidential address focuses on relevance

IChemE will share offices in UK and Asia
Joins forces with IMechE and IMarEST

UK approves first fracking test in five years
Council moves ahead despite thousands of objections

Frances Arnold wins 1m prize for research
Award recognises her work in directed evolution

New catalysts can reduce metal needs by 90%
Shell-core designs can be cheaper and more efficient

Bayer offers US$62bn for Monsanto
CEOs met to discuss merging into sector leader

Fire affects world's largest solar plant
Misaligned mirrors to blame for incident

BP Bight proposal rejected for second time
Drilling plan does not meet regulatory requirements

US to expand toxic chemical regulations
Negotiators reach agreement for final vote next week

Bayer makes offer for Monsanto
Monsanto board reviewing proposal

Technip and FMC to merge
Combined company will have a value of US$13bn

Making brighter colours with air pockets
Precisely-placed polymer holes produce matte colours

26 MW methane plant opened near Lake Kivu
Project helps prevent catastrophic gas releases

Loughborough student wins Food SIG prize
Ramsey developed better way to pasteurise beer yeast

Pfizer to buy Anacor for US$5.2bn
Company wants to expand eczema treatment portfolio

Metals caused Porter Ranch health problems
SoCal Aliso Canyon leak not directly responsible

Honeywell chemicals going it alone
Spin out expected to close by early next year

Waste polystyrene used for gas separation
Membranes show ‘competitive’ performance

Penspen awarded bronze partnership by IChemE
Company recognised for services to oil industry

Researchers to make omega-3 from methane
Nottingham team seeks to engineer microorganisms

2.4bn lack safe toilets: Ashok Kumar Fellow
Highlights sanitation problem in UK parliament brief

Company develops nuclear countermeasure drug
Project receives US$3m grant for regulatory approval

IOI contests sustainable palm oil suspension
Takes RPSO to court in Switzerland

Air Products sells PMD to Evonik
Specialities unit worth US$3.8bn in cash

Niger Delta oil sites attacked by ‘Avengers’
Activist group continues militant campaign

Daewoo signs MOU for building Iran refinery
US$10bn plant will produce 300,000 bbl/d of oil

Exxon Mobil, FuelCell to launch cheaper CCS
Novel fuel cell tech can reduce electricity costs

Zink oxide leads to sustainable crop growing
Nanoparticles help mobilise phosphorus in soil

Canadian wildfire reduces oil production
Around 80,000 caught in Alberta’s largest evacuation

3D food printing can make customised snacks
Team envisions ‘create-your-own’ vending machines

13 dead in Norwegian helicopter crash
Aircraft had unscheduled maintenance before crash

US Steel accuses China of hacking secrets
Seeks import ban on advanced steels

Aussie sugar looks to go fossil fuel free
A$5.7m project to replace fossil fuels with waste

AstraZeneca cuts costs for cancer drug shift
US$1.1bn savings restructure could lead to job cuts

Amec Foster Wheeler wins FEED work from SOCAR
Will design new refinery facilities, refurbishments

Sanofi offers US$9.3bn for Medivation
Company looks to expand cancer treatment portfolio

Long life nanowire batteries possible
Preserving gel helps it last up to 200,000 cycles

Taking the P on King’s Day in Amsterdam
Dutch company Waternet makes sustainable fertiliser

Saudi Aramco set for IPO worth up to US$3trn
Prince outlines plan to quit dangerous oil addiction

Fibres can extract uranium from seawater
Seawater uranium can supply 10,000 y of energy needs

EDF postpones Hinkley decision to September
Company looks to raise €4bn in capital

24 killed in Pemex plant explosion – update
8 missing and 19 remain hospitalised, 13 serious

Schlumberger announces 2,000 job cuts
Revenue decreased 16% in Q1

Three killed in petrochemical plant explosion
136 more injured at Pemex and Mexichem facility

Academics exempt from UK anti-lobbying law
IChemE welcomes decision but says ‘could go further’

UK announces Tata Steel buyer support package
Javid says government ‘committed’ to steel industry

Graphene solar cells can work in the rain
Ions in water create electrical potential difference

Engineers call for R&D protection
QEPrize judges want funding protected for the future

Nanostructures can mop up oil spills
Rods grown on fabric can degrade organic matter

Vattenfall sells German lignite assets
Business suffers due to Germany’s renewables focus

Petrochemical plant fire in Saudi kills 12
Further 11 injured due to smoke inhalation

Bechtel wins US$3.5bn contract from Alba
Company will provide EPCM on new expansion project

Recovering 99.9% pure lithium from salt pools
New method saves on intensive purification

Sensor bracelet can improve steel quality
Composition and conductivity monitored in real time

Microbial fuel cells brew low-alcohol beer
Flavour affected less than with other treatments

New solvent gives hope for cheaper CCS
Solvent can reduce operation costs by 40%

Making iron without coal or carbon dioxide
Industry partners seek to split and emit water

Dow settles remaining price-fixing suit
Opt-out customers receive a total of US$400m

Jacobs seeks to boost cyber security offer
Cites growing need to protect industrial assets

Commodity crisis claims Peabody Energy
Peabody Energy files for bankruptcy protection

Microbots can remove lead from wastewater
Devices can absorb 95% of contaminants

EUs first biogas from cheese plant to launch
Bio-methane-to-grid energy will save £3m/y

Greybull to buy Tata Steel long products
Includes steelworks in UK and France

Gorgon production halt could last 60 days
Stoppage comes just weeks after start up

Cambridge opens industry collaboration centre
Aims to turn blue skies research into products

Bacteria batteries can store solar energy
Acetate producers are cheaper and safer than lithium

Gasi-fuel cell combo doubles coal efficiency
MIT: simulated system promises efficiency leap

DoJ sues Halliburton and Baker Hughes
Legal action to block merger deal

Former Massey CEO jailed for safety breaches
Blankenship also fined US$250,000 over conspiracy

Pfizer terminates Allergan deal
Changes to tax law scupper US$160bn drugs merger

Two dead in Chinese chemical plant explosion
Five more injured by wastewater treatment equipment

Chevron halts Gorgon LNG production
Hitch in refrigerant circuit is latest delay

Air Products quits Tees Valley gasification
Local MP will seek assurances a buyer will be sought

Climate futures: The public debates
Rising sea-level estimates require defence solutions

Chemical engineers build portable pharmacy
System could be shipped to combat disease outbreak

GSK to stop filing patents in poorest countries
Move could help people access cheaper medicines

Total studies Iran cracker
Partners with state outfit following sanction lift

Just add water Stantec buys MWH Global
Engineering firm seeks scale and global presence

UK to swap nuclear waste with US
Will exchange for uranium for cancer treatment

Tata Steel orders sale of UK operations
Thousands of jobs on the line at troubled assets

Leviathan ruling risks sinking gas project
Israeli prime minister bemoans court decision

Sinochem deal to form rubber giant
Halcyon Agri to double processing capacity

UK chemical engineers want to remain in EU
IChemE referendum survey says 75% would vote to stay

Longannet power station closes for good
Possible closure announced a year ago

Caribbean frogs inspire drug delivery system
Frogs’ foam compatible with human cells

Lab explosion seriously injures researcher
Hawaii researcher working with high-pressure gases

Woodside shelves Browse FLNG project
FEED work completed, but low oil price presents risk

Killing lazy cells boosts biofuel production
Low production triggers ‘kill-switch’ in GM E. coli

Statoil pilots battery storage for wind power
Lithium batteries offer solution to intermittency

Staff withdrawn from Algerian gas plants
BP and Statoil say no injuries after terror attack

TransCanada buys Columbia Pipeline
US$13bn deal allows US inroads after Keystone XL

Hybrid membrane for better carbon capture
CO2 ‘highways’ absorb lots of molecules

Non-toxic substitute for lithium batteries found
Burning fuel-coated carbon nanotubes produce current

UK makes big push for small nuclear reactors
£250m competition announced in 2016 budget

Linde wheels out CO2 scrubbing for frackers
MGCU can clean up to 98% of CO2 in shale production

Shell and Saudi Aramco to cease partnership
Largest Motiva refinery to go to Saudi Aramco

Solar technology offers nuclear waste solution
Could help close the nuclear fuel cycle

Sponge cuts cleaning costs for oil spills
Interconnected structure absorbs oil but not water

Get smarter with data
Restructuring risks valuable IP being lost

KBR-SOCAR wins Azeri refinery contract
US$1bn upgrade set for completion in 2018

CO2 can be turned into sustainable concrete
New building material could utilise captured carbon

IChemE presents 18 medals and prizes for 2015
Professionals awarded for excellence and achievement

Graphene-wrapped nanocrystals improve fuel cell
Innovation can improve performance of hydrogen cars

Imperial Oil plans C$2bn cold lake project
Expansion project can cut CO2 emissions & water use

Nanotechnology brings space generators to earth
TEGs could lead to more efficient cars

Bacteria discovered that eat plastic
Degrade PET into industrial precursors

Breaking slavery shackles in the supply chain
Companies must now verify and report on robustness

Siemens to cut 2,500 jobs in oil & gas supply
Low oil price affects manufacturing supply chain

Phosphorus atoms help stabilise chromium catalyst
Catalyst could also help with solar energy storage

Bath chemenger wins SET for Britain gold
Parliament competition for early career researchers

US$2.9bn LNG contract for Hyundai consortium
Three companies to build new facilities in Kuwait

Inspiring the next generation
Sector leader urges action

Nigeria to divide loss-making state oil firm
NNPC to become 30 companies in hunt for profit

Metal-free, bio-based polyester developed
First step to truly sustainable plastics

Bubbles break down biofuel biomass
More efficient route to cellulosic biofuels

AB InBev sells CR Snow stake for US$1.6bn
Deal dependent on SABMiller acquisition

Samarco agrees damages for mine disaster
Brazil authority warns there is no cap on payments

Study seeks CCS benefits of extracting brine
Removal could lower price of carbon storage

Gas leaks nullify benefits of shift from coal
Chemengers must help to scope problems

New Nigerian spill damages claims for Shell
Ogale Community and Bille Kingdom sue in London

New catalysts make H2O2 in one-step process
Could be manufactured on demand in remote areas

PETRONAS cuts under 1000 jobs
Layoffs come as company seeks leaner operations

Three indicted for Fukushima disaster
Prosecutors allege professional negligence

Death of judge sees Dow settle price-fix case
Uncertainties lead chemical major to pay US$835m

Akshay Deshmukh named 2016 Ashok Kumar Fellow
Will work for three months in parliament

BASF slashes plant biotech research
Highly technically challenging work to be abandoned

Aliso Canyon was US' largest methane release
Over 100,000 t of gas released in 112 day blowout

Process converts CO2 and water into fuels
One-step process produces liquid hydrocarbons

Crystals cause microbes to produce more methane
More methane could reduce need for new coal seams

Mars in global recall of Dutch-made chocolate
Red plastic found in a Snickers bar in Germany

1 dead, 3 missing in power station collapse
Rescuers search for missing in 9 m high rubble

Gas has only limited role as ‘bridging fuel’
Report says without CCS carbon targets cannot be met

Business leaders: EU exit risks UK economy
17 major chemical engineering employers want to stay

North Sea oil industry loses 7bn investment
Industry body asks for tax breaks to stem costs

EU nanomaterial regulations receive criticism
Food experts warn new rules can cause uncertainty

BP proposal under Australian Senate review
Oil exploration in Australian Bight to be considered

California gas leak now 'permanently sealed'
Heavy liquids and cement seal methane well

IChemE and NSChE hold first joint event
Talk given on Chemical Engineering Matters

Engineers turn sunlight into hydrogen
Photoelectrode boosts energy for water-splitting

AkzoNobel buys BASF coatings business
Includes sites in South Africa and the UK

Australian state plans nuclear expansion
SA could take 13% of global nuclear waste

'LIGHTSABR' – portable drug discovery system
TSRI miniaturises high-throughput screening process

UK competition authorities fine GSK 376m
CMA rules GSK kept generic alternatives from market

Polycarbonate can be recycled using glycerol
Simpler and greener than current methods in use

Axens wins work on giant paraxylene project
Hengli continues push for superlative island complex

BP: World to begin low-carbon transition
Energy Outlook says fossil fuels remain dominant

Asahi to buy Peroni & Grolsch from SABMiller
Beer brand deal worth €2.6bn

Brexit could cost UK chemicals firms billions
Lack of FTA could see 14% decline in exports

UK MPs warn of damaging CCS cancellation
Committee urges government to set out CCS plans

Three killed in Pemex rig fire
Tragedy hits platform where four died last year

First gas from delayed Laggan-Tormore project
Field off Shetland will provide 8% of UK gas needs

Sydney to scale up graphite-from-gas process
Agrees collaboration with Hazer Group

First hydrogen plasma in German fusion device
Chancellor Angela Merkel presses button in ceremony

Engineering is 68% more productive than retail
Growth means increased shortfall in skilled staff

Is UK CCS dead? Or can it be resuscitated?
Panel of experts assess its status

BP to cut 3,000 more jobs after profits halve
Cuts on top of 4,000 announced last month

R&D companies opt for UK to stay in EU
Industry experts give evidence to House of Lords

Shell sells Malaysia refining business
Port Dickson sale follows restructuring efforts

IChemE member listed as "highly cited"
Reuters’ list names 30 chemical engineers

NASA releases pictures of Libyan oil fires
IS militant clashes causes storage tank fires

£250m City Deal will benefit North Sea oil
Aberdeen boost includes support for ailing industry

Doubts raised on downstream plans for Johor
Investment struggles at Malaysia hub, agency warns

Reports: EDF delays Hinkley Point C decision
EDF struggling to find necessary funds

IChemE joins calls for UK immigration rethink
66 engineers refused visas in June and July 2015

OSL recognised for cultivating young engineers
IChemE awards partnership for community engagement

India plans new mega-refinery
Would match output of massive Jamnagar facility

Clariant contract for world-scale unit
Will help build largest dehydrogenation unit

UK is "vulnerable" to Ebola epidemic
Lack of vaccine manufacturing capacity to blame

Insolvency climbs among oil services firms
Woes continue as second study raises safety concerns

Chevron to sell 75% of South Africa business
Low oil prices driving divestments

The Internet of Things disruption and you
Prepare for the green transformation IoT will bring

Schlumberger cuts 10,000 US jobs
4th quarter loss of US$1bn forces restructure

UK to set up oil and gas support group
PM supports North Sea industry during oil slump

ECHA launches "plain English" toxicity guide
Online guide covers 120,000 everyday substances

SCCS sets out plans for Scottish CCS hub
Proposal to ‘re-energise’ European CCS

Sheffield Forgemasters cuts 100 UK steel jobs
Latest blow to UK industry after Tata cuts on Monday

Petronas to cut US$11.4bn in expenses
Capital, operating expenses cut due to low oil price

Two nuclear projects receive up to US$80m
US DOE funds reactors for low carbon energy

Update: Plans to capture gas in US scrapped
SoCal abandons risky capture and burning plans

Texas chemical site explosion kills worker
Three injured at PeroxyChem plant in Pasadena

Tata Steel cuts 1,050 UK jobs
750 jobs to go in Port Talbot, 300 elsewhere

One dead, one injured in oil sands explosion
Nexen Energy suspends operations at Alberta plant

Suncor confirms US$4.5bn COS deal
Suncor agrees bid and debt agreement

US$380bn of new oil & gas projects missed
Industry shelved 68 projects due to low oil price

20 nuclear countries targets for cyber attacks
NTI analysis claims security is insufficient

New method of 3D printing metals and alloys
Liquid inks make process faster and cheaper

Encapsulating agents improve edible food film
Films more resilient, better antimicrobial action

BP cuts 4000 upstream jobs
600 positions to go in North Sea

Shire agrees US$32bn deal for Baxalta
UK pharmaceutical firm agrees takeover of US rival

Low Oil Price Dilemma Good or Bad
Benefits mask severe risks, expert warns

New nuclear tech raises US$7m
Terrestrial Energy to commercialise IMSR by 2020

Explosion at Dow site in US injures five
Blast blamed on reactive trimethylaluminium

Saudi Arabia considers Aramco public listing
Deputy Crown Prince ‘enthusiastic’ about a sale

Breakthrough made in 3D ceramic printing
New resin stronger and resists shrinking

UK ready for small modular reactor technology
Westinghouse announces fuel fabrication plan

Guides promise rush of 3D-printing use
Certification offers boon to O&G, say developers

US methane leak is now emergency situation
California well could be leaking until February

TransCanada sues for US$15bn over XL refusal
Argues US unfairly blocked Keystone pipeline

Malaysia bans bauxite mining in Pahang
Operations halted until better facilities built

ChemEng studentship growth continues
UCAS data shows 5.6% increase of students in 2015

IChemE members awarded in New Year's Honours
Judith Hackitt and John Baxter receive DBE and CBE

IChemE Award-winning VCM catalyst hits market
Catalyst from Cardiff University and Johnson Matthey

DuPont cuts 1,700 jobs ahead of Dow merger
Employees informed during New Year break

Final Magnox reactor at Wylfa shuts down
Ends almost 60 years of Magnox generation