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Chemicals and Petrochemicals

Chemicals company unpacks carbon neutrality roadmap

27th September 2024 Multinational chemicals company BASF Performance Materials, the largest chemical producer globally, in August released its strategic roadmap toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and highlighted key milestones on its route toward a circular economy. With that in mind, the division, which... →

Why partnering with Delba Electrical is a smart choice

27th September 2024 In the fast-paced world of industrial operations, the reliability and efficiency of equipment are paramount. For companies reliant on electrical rotating machines to power their operations, ensuring these machines run smoothly and efficiently is critical to maintaining productivity and reducing... →

Gas-to-methanol plant to provide industrial feedstock

27th September 2024 Pan-African development finance institution Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has announced that it is arranging a project development facility to support Africa’s largest gas-to-methanol plant, with the aim of significantly reducing CO2 emissions by offsetting flaring of natural gas and instead... →

Two men in PPE standing on top of a building looking away and pointing to the horizon

LOOKING AHEAD Plans to offset the flaring of natural gas and instead turning it into a valuable chemical for solvents are underway at Africa’s largest gas-to-methanol plant

Greener chemical cleaner on offer

By: Halima Frost 27th September 2024 South African industrial and retail chemicals manufacturer Reinol-Janek Chemicals’ BH-38, a heavy-duty industrial and commercial butyl-based detergent, offers a greener, all-purpose cleaning solution for “tough cleaning jobs”, says Reinol-Janek Chemicals MD Trevor Kempster, speaking at this... →

A range fo containers holding the heavy-duty industrial and commercial butyl-based detergent BH-38

KEEP IT CLEAN The BH-38 heavy-duty industrial and commercial butyl-based detergent is pink, but green

Diaphragm pumps key for chemicals sector

27th September 2024 Industrial equipment supplier BMG’s new EVO series electric diaphragm pumps – which form part of flow creation and industrial product supplier Ingersoll Rand’s ARO fluid handling products – are designed to enhance energy efficiency and improve fluid handling productivity in many industries,... →

BUILT TOUGH The new Ingersoll Rand ARO EVO range of electric pumps are used in harsh chemical applications

Chemical capture tech makes for better batteries

27th September 2024 Australian tertiary institution the University of Queensland (UQ) announced earlier this month that technology it has developed can remove harmful ‘forever chemicals’ from water so that they can be used in renewable batteries. Researchers at UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and... →

A photo of Dr Cheng Zhang working on a machine

CHENG ZHANG The polymer chemist is the man behind the development of the technology that can remove harmful ‘forever chemicals’ from water

Oil group acquires interest in hydrogen firm

9th August 2024 Saudi Arabia’s State oil producer Aramco has signed definitive agreements to acquire a 50% equity interest in the Jubail-based Blue Hydrogen Industrial Gases Company (BHIG), a wholly owned subsidiary of development and investment company Air Products Qudra (APQ). The transaction, which is... →

SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS Aramco's latest deal solidifies commitment to expanding its portfolio of energy solutions

Agreement reached between chemicals producers

9th August 2024 European multinational chemicals producer BASF has signed an agreement to sell its flocculants business to global specialty chemicals producer Solenis in exchange for its mining applications. The divestment of BASF’s flocculants business to Solenis is part of BASF’s portfolio optimisation, aiming... →

Company donates three boreholes to alleviate water scarcity

9th August 2024 Energy and chemicals group Sasol in June handed three boreholes over to the Metsimaholo local municipality and Free State Department of Health to improve water security in the Deneysville area of the Free State. The boreholes were drilled at the Refengkgotso Community Centre, the Sports Centre... →

An image of the Sasol staff personnel standing next to a borehole

SOCIAL IMPACT The improvement of water security remains high on Sasol's community affairs agenda

First merchant lithium refinery in final phase of EIS fundraising

9th August 2024 Lithium processing company Green Lithium has partnered with UK-based private equity firm Prospedia Capital to raise up to £2.6-million of seed and venture capital covered under the UK’s Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). This scheme is designed to attract early-stage investment and offers... →

STRATEGIC MANOEUVRES The construction of the UK’s first merchant hard-rock lithium refinery is a strategic move to meet the projected surge in demand for battery-grade lithium chemicals by 2030

Research organisation announces three new board appointments

9th August 2024 Research organisation the National Research Foundation (NRF) last month announced that the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande had appointed new members to the NRF board. The members will serve until November 2026, pursuant to Section 6 of the NRF Act. These... →

Innovation, resilience key features in process control – company

By: Lumkile Nkomfe 9th August 2024 Pressure sensors with ceramic CERTEC measuring cells have proven to be the preferred technology in not only the chemicals industry but also in other industries where reliability and stability are key features in process control, says German instrumentation and control company Vega technical... →

A generic image of a petrochemical plant

PRODUCT DURABILITY Technology and innovation are at the forefront of Vega's pressure sensors, thereby ensuring maximum efficiency and resilience

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... →

FILL 'ER UP The illegal adulteration of diesel fuel by adding paraffin seams to be on the incline

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... →

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