Articles

Psychological Safety: Why it Matters and How to Build It

Feb. 4, 2025
Psychological safety boosts reporting, reduces risks, and strengthens workplace relationships.

eHandbook: Chemical Processing's 2024 Salary Survey - Chemical Industry Salaries Continue to Rise

Jan. 31, 2025
Each year, we dig deep to figure trends surrounding salaries in the chemical industry. This eBook details how our annual salary survey revealed continued positive job outlook ...

The Life-Saving Science of Teamwork

Jan. 29, 2025
The science of effective teams isn't about trust falls and team lunches — it's about survival.

Chemical Industry Trivia: Test Your Knowledge

Jan. 28, 2025
Test your expertise of the chemical industry with this quick Chemical Processing quiz!

Chemical Regulations: 2025’s Fuzzy Forecast

This year anticipates dramatic global shifts in chemical policies amid uncertainty.

How They Made It Work: aeSolutions’ FGS 1300 Fire and Gas Alarm Controller

Jan. 27, 2025
"How They Made it Work" is a column that features some of the latest technological advancements in the chemical process industry. Here, Chemical Processing asks experts from various...

Exxon Takes Offensive Against Critics, Files Defamation Suit Over Recycling Claims

Jan. 23, 2025
Oil giant alleges California AG and environmental groups caused lost business deals by falsely portraying its advanced plastics recycling as a "sham."

Chemical Processing Notebook: Former Exxon Biosciences Chief Reveals Why Big Oil Is Betting on Carbon Capture

Jan. 22, 2025
Zara Summers, now LanzaTech's CSO, explains how oil companies like Exxon are positioning themselves to profit from carbon storage while her current firm develops innovative solutions...

Chemical Industry Eyes Hydrogen, Nuclear and Geothermal to Fuel Decarbonization

Jan. 20, 2025
With ambitious sustainability targets in sight, the chemical sector looks to hydrogen, modular nuclear and geothermal energy to transform production processes and reduce emissions...

Energy Saver: Dividing Wall Columns Supercharge Distillation Efficiency

Jan. 17, 2025
This emerging technology promises up to 40% energy savings while reducing capital costs and carbon footprint in industrial chemical processes.

New Coating Takes Bite Out of Fatberg Problem

Jan. 15, 2025
Australian researchers develop self-healing sewer pipe treatment that could help cities slash millions in cleanup costs.

Barry on Batteries: 11 Essential Steps in Lithium-Ion Battery Cell Manufacturing

Jan. 14, 2025
A look at the battery cell manufacturing process from slurry mixing to module assembly.

Cooling Towers: A Critical but Often Neglected Plant Component – Part 2

How unchecked microbial growth can cripple industrial cooling systems and trigger catastrophic failures.

Compliance Advisor: What to Expect from EPA in 2025

The incoming Trump administration is expected to significantly reshape EPA priorities in 2025, rolling back climate initiatives while potentially increasing chemical regulations...

ICIS: Chemical Industry Braces for Regulatory Shifts and Trade Tensions in 2025

Jan. 8, 2025
Expert details impact of new administration on environmental policy, tariffs and manufacturing.

Chemical Industry Outlook 2025: Gradual Momentum Builds

After years of stagnation, industry anticipates 1.9% output growth driven by investment and easing monetary policy.

Past Chemical Disasters Mitigate Future Risk

Jan. 6, 2025
Quantitative risk analysis transforms industrial safety by measuring hazard potential systematically.

Tackle Tricky Kettle Reboiler Issues, Part 2

Andrew Sloley takes a look at another uncommon kettle re-boiler problem as heavy liquid accumulation reduces heat transfer.

MIT Electrode Boosts CO2 Conversion

Dec. 17, 2024
Researchers say it’s the first work that has progressed into a much larger scale without sacrificing efficiency.

Future-Proofing Chemical Engineering Education

Dec. 16, 2024
Innovative apprenticeship models bridge academic training and industrial expertise.

How Many Worms Died While Tackling Plastic Pollution?

Dec. 11, 2024
The unintended consequences of plastic substitutes prove that testing in relevant environmental settings should be required before wide-scale adoption.

Red Mesa Hits Hemp Refining with Chemical Industry Rigor

Dec. 9, 2024
Utah refiner leverages diverse expertise and strategic adaptability to navigate regulatory uncertainty, while its investment in botanical refining positions the company for sustainable...

EPA Proposes Expanded Chemical Tracking for PFAS, Now What?

The proposal will add over 100 PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory list of chemicals, which is a pretty big deal.

Technical Expert to Inclusive Leader: How to Evolve Your Leadership Style

Dec. 3, 2024
Discover 5 tactics to transition from expert to leader to inspire your team to reach new heights — together.

Process Safety Lessons from Bhopal 40 Years Later

Bhopal's tragedy reveals critical flaws in inherently unsafe industrial design. What can we learn from this?

Second-Hand Process Plant Market Shifts Gears

Nov. 27, 2024
As manufacturers return production to their home markets, the used process equipment industry adapts with new opportunities and challenges.

One-Pot Process Converts Aromatic Ketones to Aromatic Esters

Nov. 25, 2024
The one-pot process simplifies synthesis, reduces reaction times and minimizes the need for additional purification steps.

Breaking Down Informational Silos

Nov. 22, 2024
Discover how centralized knowledge management platforms are dismantling communication silos and transforming plant operations for greater safety, efficiency and productivity.

How They Made It Work: Emerson’s Micro Motion G-Series Coriolis Flow and Density Meters

Nov. 20, 2024
The Micro Motion G-Series Coriolis flow and density meters fit confined spaces.

Solids Processing: Discover Lost Opportunities

With simple operations, we either get complacent or fail to look for an alternate route. Four situations point out big misses.

How Much Do Chemical Engineers Make in 2024? Chemical Industry Salaries Continue to Rise

Nov. 19, 2024
Annual survey reveals continued positive job outlook and earnings despite a dip in hiring.

Tackle Tricky Kettle Reboiler Issues

Andrew Sloley examines kettle-reboiler failures and offers solutions.

Fertilizing Mrs. Newton’s Hedge and a World Cup Winner

Nov. 13, 2024
Nearly 60 years ago, England triumphed over Germany and a boy may have unknowingly fertilized a neighbor's shrub.

Biomanufacturing: The Next Frontier for Chemical Processing?

Nov. 11, 2024
Chemical processing companies are well-positioned for a biomanufacturing revolution.

Election 2024 Recap: Chemical Industry Sees Regulatory Relief in Trump's Return

Nov. 8, 2024
As manufacturers welcome a potential rollback of Biden-era rules, experts warn companies must still answer to shareholders and customers on environmental commitments.

Barry on Batteries: The Chemical Engineer's Guide to Battery Recycling Innovation

Nov. 8, 2024
From direct recycling to novel leaching agents, metallurgical processes are evolving to better recover valuable materials from spent lithium-ion batteries — creating new opportunities...

Time Management Strategies for Engineers and Operators

Nov. 6, 2024
5 tips to improve individual performance and contribute to the overall success of your facility.

From Runoff to Resource: Reimagining Stormwater Management

Nov. 5, 2024
The chemical industry shifts from costly threats to sustainable water management opportunities.

Special Series — Chemical Industry Workforce: Shaping Tomorrow's Talent

Nov. 4, 2024
An in-depth look at the state of the chemical industry workforce and its future.

Energy Saver: Variable Speed Drives Boost Chemical Plant Efficiency

Nov. 4, 2024
VSDs deliver up to 50% energy savings in chemical manufacturing while laying groundwork for smart factory operations.

EPA Extends PFAS Reporting Deadline to 2026

Lynn Bergeson explains how software development delays prompt eight-month extension, giving manufacturers and importers crucial extra time to prepare for complex TSCA requirements...

What is Trending in the Chemical Industry October 2024?

Nov. 1, 2024
Unlikely allies in sustainability, a fatal chemical leak, an averted dock-worker strike, and BASF’s hall-of-famer round out the top stories on reader lists.

Chemical Processing Notebook: Covestro's Long Road to Circularity

Oct. 28, 2024
Supply chain gaps and infrastructure hurdles stand between the chemical industry and its circular future, says Covestro's Tim Thiel, but strategic investments and emerging technologies...

Project Management: Stay on Track Despite Supply Chain Holes

Plant InSites columnist Andrew Sloley shares five sound ways to keep projects moving forward.

Picture Pump Efficiency in Terms of Trees and Cars

Oct. 25, 2024
Think about energy efficiency in terms of things you can really measure: horsepower and kilowatts.

What Makes a Good Cyber Defense Strategy?

Oct. 23, 2024
Human error accounts for 82% of data breaches. It’s important to identify vulnerabilities.

Operator Training: Tap New Ways to Boil Down Experience

Oct. 22, 2024
With the right tools, training is just condensed experience.

What Is the Best Way to Manage Transient Operations to Achieve Process Safety? 6 Steps to Follow

Transient operations occur when transitioning between operating states and are often the most hazardous periods in a chemical facility.

Podcast: What Makes an Expert in the Chemical Industry?

Oct. 18, 2024
It's not just about knowing more facts. Discover the 13 key characteristics that set real experts apart, from forming expectancies to mental simulations.

Mastering Gas Chromatography: Unlocking Efficiency with Sample Conditioning and System Design

Oct. 16, 2024
Learn best practices for troubleshooting, minimizing time lags, and safeguarding your system against common pitfalls while ensuring safe, accurate sample analyses.

Podcast: Lessons Learned from the Explosion at the Phillips Petroleum Complex

Oct. 15, 2024
On the 35th anniversary of the deadly event we examine how routine maintenance can go horribly wrong.

Catalyzing the Circular Economy: Challenges and Opportunities

Oct. 14, 2024
As the chemical industry seeks sustainability, catalysts emerge as key drivers for biomass utilization, polymer recycling and pollution remediation.

Leo Baekeland’s Aldehydes and the Toxic Smell of New Automobiles

Oct. 11, 2024
Explore Leo Baekeland’s impact on the auto industry and how that much-loved “new car smell” is actually a cocktail of volatile organic compounds . . . cue the headache now.