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Chemicals and Petrochemicals

Industry body condemns fuel adulteration

15th March 2024 Industry body the South African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia) has affirmed in a statement released in January that it condemns the adulteration of diesel with illuminating paraffin. It added that Sapia members have zero-tolerance policies towards fuel adulteration to ensure that quality... →

Methanol surge expected to continue

15th March 2024 In recent years, the demand for methanol has witnessed a significant surge, particularly within the marine and construction industries, states analytical reportage company Persistence Market Research. The observation of this upward trend prompted Persistence Market Research to conduct a... →

a glass bottle with clear methanol inside and a sticker on with the chemical compound breakdown on the front

MAKING METHNOL Methanol is used as a feedstock for the synthesis of numerous chemicals, including formaldehyde, acetic acid and methyl tertiary-butyl ether

Programme targets underprivileged youth

By: Halima Frost 15th March 2024 Commercial fuels, lubricants and oils retailer Shell Downstream South Africa has invested over R30-million in its science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) bursary programme to help develop less fortunate youth in South Africa. STEM subjects are more than gateways to “great,... →

A picture of Shell Downstream South Africa learning and development manager Kefilwe Maseko stood in front of a Shell banner by a school blackboard

KEFILWE MASEKO For over ten years, the programme has given young individuals from disadvantaged or underprivileged backgrounds who have met the relevant academic requirements the opportunity to further their studies in tertiary institutions.

Probiotic-based cleaning products now available

15th March 2024 In contributing to a healthier environment, biological cleaning solutions producer Bionetix International, a division of environmentally responsible corrosion control technologies developer Cortec, offers its new probiotic-based cleaning solutions which are environment-friendly alternatives to... →

A range of bottles filled with various colour liquids used for cleaning

A PRO AT CLEANING The new probiotic-based cleaning agents offer a more environmentally friendly solution than chemicals

Company invests in driver, vehicle management systems

By: Halima Frost 15th March 2024 Specialist transport group Unitrans continues to invest heavily in various event-based in-vehicle management systems (IVMS) to ensure the safety of its drivers, fleet and cargo in its chemical and petrochemicals bulk transport supply chain businesses. “Owing to the significant volatility of its... →

A unitrans tanker at a depot in the setting sun

Unitrans chemicals and explosives transport head Bryce Varner and Unitrans business development: petroleum head Ray Singh discuss compliance and its fleet. Camerawork: Halima Frost. Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 21.02.2024

White biotechnology solutions highlighted

15th March 2024 Market intelligence specialists IDTechEx reported in February that handbags made of mushroom leather and biodegradable foodware are two examples of how white biotechnology can produce functional products that look good. White biotechnology uses enzymes and microorganisms to produce value-added... →

Mushrooms next to two manufactured leather rounds

SO MUSHROOM FOR DEVELOPMENT The development of leather form mushrooms and other white biotechnologies bodes well for a greener textile future

Biobased plastics launched to transform auto sector

15th March 2024 A consortium led by sustainable technology innovator Sonichem has been granted nearly R14.6-million in funding from UK government agency Innovate UK’s 'Resource efficiency for materials and manufacturing' (REforMM) programme. The funding will accelerate the development of the proprietary Sonichem... →

An info graphic Car with Green parts manufactured from petrochemicals

GOOD CARMA The production of renewable, cost-effective alternatives to petrochemicals commonly used in the production of plastics, resins and composites within the automotive industry

Delba commits to excellence with its power generation division

15th March 2024 Global leader in engineering, repair and maintenance services Delba Electrical has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality solutions for rotating equipment across various industries. One of its core divisions is the Power Generation Division, which specialises in providing innovative and... →

Sustainability spurs new trends in chemicals industry

By: Sabrina Jardim 11th August 2023 With a strong focus on sustainability, a growing trend of fuel switches, opportunities for cogeneration and using by-product streams has emerged in the chemicals industry, says boiler and energy plant operations and maintenance service provider Associated Energy Services (AES) commercial director... →

Additives offer substantial cost savings

By: Sabrina Jardim 11th August 2023 Industrial equipment supplier BMG has teamed up with global leaders in additives, motor, transmissions and hydraulic oils Liqui Moly to offer cost-saving solutions to the local generator market. As South Africa continues to face the exasperating challenges of daily loadshedding and unplanned... →

TEAMWORK MAKES THE GEN WORK BMG has teamed up with Liqui Moly to offer substantial cost saving solutions to the local generator market

ENERGYValves leaves the EMVAfrica fold and finds a new home

11th August 2023 EMVAfrica stands as a prominent and trail-blazing entity in Southern Africa, proudly holding the distinction of being a leading ISO 9001:2015 accredited supplier of world-class quality industrial stainless steel, special alloys and valves. ENERGYValves, one of the organisation’s three divisions... →

Fuel type key to success

By: Sabrina Jardim 11th August 2023 Amid ongoing power outages and energy constraints, new approaches to fuel selection and efficiency among chemical plants have become necessary, says boiler and energy plant operations and maintenance service provider Associated Energy Services (AES) commercial director Dennis Williams. Any... →

An image of AES commercial director Dennis Williams

DENNIS WILLIAMS Any opportunity to manage the efficient generation and supply of energy carriers, such as steam or thermal oil, presents an opportunity to improve efficiencies in a chemical plant’s main production process, owing to chemical plants being energy intensive

Fire protection for industry

11th August 2023 With many highly flammable substances being processed and the varying risks of fire hazards and explosive potential on chemical and petrochemical plants, fire protection has become a major challenge in the industry, states Mike Feldon, MD of South African fire protection supplier DoseTech Fire, a... →

An infographic on how the FireDos stationary proportioning systems work

FIRE AWAY FireDos offers its stationary proportioning systems, or proportioners, as a key element for industrial fire extinguishing systems

Blending facility boosts capacity

By: Sabrina Jardim 11th August 2023 Despite setbacks on account of Covid-19 lockdowns and economic downturns in South Africa, lubricants distributor African Group Lubricants (AGL) has boosted its operational capacity by 500% through the acquisition of the CERA blending facility in Boksburg, in Gauteng. The acquisition follows a... →

CHANGES AFOOT AGL is focusing on converting imported products to locally blended products, with the company having released the Mobil AGRI Range earlier this month

Astron Energy at the 2023 Mining Indaba

17th March 2023 Astron Energy took part in the 2023 Mining Indaba. This is what Axola Myendeki, National Sales Manager – Direct Sales, Fuels and Lubricants, Commercial & Industrial (C&I), had to say about the event; The mining indaba is a key annual calendar global event and this year’s theme was Stability,... →

New recycling methods required for API

By: Nadine Ramdass 17th March 2023 Owing to the highly solvent-intensive processes associated with active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) manufacturing, a single batch of APIs can use and generate significant amounts of waste. These solvents are also costly to procure and dispose of. API manufacturers continuously investigate and... →

An image of a chemicals manufacturing lab

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT API manufacturers continuously investigate and implement suitable alternative materials that are safer for handlers

Grant assists in establishing First Mode Proving Grounds

17th March 2023 Global carbon reduction company First Mode has established a proving grounds in Centralia, located in Lewis County, Washington, made possible in part by a $250 000 grant from the state economic development strategic reserve fund. At the First Mode Proving Grounds, the company will demonstrate... →

An image of First Modes nuGen haul trucks

NUGEN TRUCK First Mode will optimise the next generation of hybrid hydrogen and battery-powered haul trucks at the proving grounds

Recycling tech mitigates waste

By: Nadine Ramdass 17th March 2023 Plastic production has increased to more than one-million tonnes a day, resulting in a growing plastic waste challenge, which chemical recycling technologies can mitigate by turning the waste into raw materials that can be used to meet current plastic demand. Chemical recycling company Plastic... →

An image of Plastic Energy's Seville Plant

SEVILLE RECYCLING PLANT Plastic Energy’s recycling process transforms difficult-to-recycle plastic waste into an optimal oil feedstock

Supplier offers on-site training to improve operations

By: Nadine Ramdass 17th March 2023 Chemicals supplier Active Chemicals offers on-site technical assistance and training for operational personnel in the gold plant and water filtration works sector. The service provides customers with valuable knowledge and insights to tackle challenges related to workers who may be unskilled... →

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL Chemicals, like granular activated carbon, can be used more efficiently to improve overall operations

AECI Much Asphalt to pioneer low carbon asphalt production

12th August 2022 South African chemicals group AECI Much Asphalt and carbon negative materials producer Origin Materials have launched a programme to create a novel low-carbon bitumen that is expected to create considerable value in the developing African market. →

Company expects to benefit from its diverse portfolio offering

By: Mandisa Nyathi 12th August 2022 In spite of chemical supply chain constraints, flow measurement and calibration technology company Wika expects to benefit from its diverse portfolio offering to provide quality instrumentation for clients. →

Refinery officially reopened

12th August 2022 The Durban South Training Centre, run by the Durban South Training Trust (DSTT), was officially re-opened at new premises with bigger facilities. During the July 2021 civil unrest, DSTT premises were looted and vandalized. Sapref as sole funder of DSTT sourced new premises for the training... →

Specialists complete inspection project

12th August 2022 The benefit of rope access for routine industrial inspection work was again demonstrated when leading rope access specialist Skyriders Access Specialists successfully completed a project for Easigas in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. →

First world-scale methanol facility in sight

18th March 2022 Oil company the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) earlier this month signed an agreement with methanol producer Proman to develop the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) first world-scale methanol production facility at the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. Under the terms of... →

Clarity needed on supply, energy plan

By: Cameron Mackay 18th March 2022 Local industry stakeholders need clarity on how the decision by multinational companies Shell and BP’s South African Petroleum Refineries (Sapref) to freeze spending and pause refinery operations at the end of this month will impact on security of supply of petroleum-based products, and the local... →

Agreement signed for petrochem product offtake

18th March 2022 Sustainable chemicals manufacturer Bolder Industries announced in January a landmark 20-year strategic marketing agreement with independent petroleum marketer Tauber Oil for exclusive offtake of BolderOil, Bolder’s sustainably derived petrochemical product. United in both companies' ongoing... →

Sector expected to grow from ICT trade

18th March 2022 Market research organisation Kenneth Research last month released a report which showed that the petrochemicals and polymers market is anticipated to grow, primarily on the growth in trade of information and communication technology (ICT) goods and services globally. The report emphasises the... →

Partnership plans circular plastics manufacturing Australia announced

18th March 2022 Global advanced plastic recycling technology company Plastic Energy and French fuels and chemicals technology supplier Axens are partnering with polyethylene manufacturer Qenos in the planning of a major circular plastics manufacturing capability in Australia. Plastic Energy, which specialises in... →

Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental services, heavy lifting, and engineered transport

10th March 2022 At Sarens Siba, we have the noble mission to be the reference in crane rental services, heavy lifting, and engineered transport for our clients in the region of Southern Africa. With state-of-the-art equipment and value engineering, we offer our clients creative and intelligent solutions to... →

New camera used in inspection project

By: Halima Frost 6th August 2021 In a first for Southern Africa and possibly the whole of Africa, rope access specialists Skyriders has used Zenith – a new confined-space inspection camera system – at a petrochemicals plant, in Gauteng, for inspection. The Zenith system is manufactured by US-based inspection technology developer... →

An image of two drone pilots, holding a drone and remote

SKY GUYS The project required the expertise of qualified drone pilots to assist in the inspection of the petrochemical tanks

Partnership notes first new chemicals success

6th August 2021 The partnership between carbon recycling technology company LanzaTech and multinational chemicals company BASF, who together aim to transform the carbon contained in industrial off-gases into valuable chemicals, has achieved a key first success. The companies announced in May that, with the help... →

An image of a LanzaTech installation capturing off gasses

ON-GASSES A key first success has been achieved by LanzaTech and BASF in using off gasses or emissions for a positive product

Petrochem giant uses tech for greener fuel

By: Halima Frost 6th August 2021 In April JSE-listed synthetic fuels and chemicals company Sasol announced it will work alongside a consortium comprising multinational chemical company Linde, renewable energy company Enertrag and investment company Navitas Holdings to bid in concept for the production of sustainable aviation... →

COOL COLAB The collaboration between Sasol and the LEN Consortium will see greener jet fuel and chemicals being produced using Sasol's Fischer-Tropsch technology

Unique thermowell design on offer

6th August 2021 Measuring instruments supplier Wika Instruments offers its ScrutonWell as an alternative to a standard thermowell. The ScrutonWell, manufactured by Wika, is typically used in applications commonly found in the chemicals and petrochemicals industry, where high flow velocity and aggressive process... →

A large silver screw like instrument used in a thermowell application

WELL WELL WELL The ScrutonWell offered by Wika can handle high flow velocity and aggressive process media

Control tower effectively monitors transport of chemicals

By: Halima Frost 6th August 2021 Specialist transport company Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions has noted a 42% improvement in driver awareness, while distracted driving incidents have decreased by 45%, since the launch of its centralised control tower in January 2017. The control tower manages Unitrans’ chemical, petrochemical,... →

An image of a large Unitrans truck bearing an abnormal loads sign

VANTAGE POINT Unitrans' new control tower uses new tech, trained staff and an aerial view of its yard to successfully dispatch its trucks throughout S. Africa

EDS Chemicals – Eco-friendly GP² degreaser

6th August 2021 GP² is an affordable, eco-friendly, non-toxic, non-flammable industrial degreaser and commercial sanitiser from chemicals manufacturer EDS Chemicals. “GP² is a product unlike any other in the marketplace and is here to make a marked difference in preserving and assisting in improving the state of... →

Wieland South Africa

3rd August 2021 Wieland South Africa (Pty) Ltd, situated in Edenvale, Johannesburg, South Africa produces high quality products according to DIN & BS specifications, accompanied by fast turnaround times. We boast two manufacturing divisions including: Finned Tubes: →

Petrochemicals plant demolition under way

By: Darren Parker 12th March 2021 Demolition contractor Jet Demolition is wrapping up a petrochemical demolition project valued at about R20-million. Jet Demolition project manager André Botes tells Engineering News that the project, which started in September last year, was a welcome relief from an extremely challenging 2020. →

COLD CUTS Jet Demolition holds a number of highly specialised cold-cutting demolition tools and attachments for its fleet of demolition machines.

Compounder adds new plant capacity

By: Darren Parker 12th March 2021 Speciality compound producer Continental Engineering Compounds has invested R25-million in building a new specialised production line at its Westmead factory, in KwaZulu-Natal. The added capacity will help the company to increase supply of locally manufactured compounds used for packaging,... →

EXTRA, EXTRA The capacity expansion will assist in terms of local supply to the industrial and automotive sectors

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