Fishing for clues for diabetes, MyConcrete: BASF’s new app and More

Fishing for clues for diabetes

Fish-hunting marine cone snails have developed a strategy to hit and subdue their prey with up to 200 different compounds, one of which is insulin. American and Australian researchers have examined the function of seven insulin sequences found in the venom from three species of cone snail and found each species produces insulin with slightly different structures. This new study provides the research team with three different ‘templates’ to produce more effective insulin treatments for diabetics in humans. Read More

MyConcrete: BASF’s new app to help concrete producers

BASF’s new smartphone application, MyConcrete is now available in Asia Pacific, allowing instant access to information on concrete properties. Intended for contractors, engineers, architects and producers, the free MyConcrete app serves as a channel to a range of information on the fundamentals of concrete use. The app includes items such as concepts and design factors, provides answers to questions on concrete slump, air, finish ability and set time and offers information on BASF products for concrete producers. Read More

Devan joins consortium to address the recycling of painted parts

Devan Chemicals has joined a consortium that plans to address the recycling of coated and painted textile and plastic materials. The EU-funded project is led by Belgian R&D centre CENTEXBEL, consisting of 17 European partners from across the value chain including design, manufacturing, NGOs, and research and innovation. The focus of the consortium is on coated and painted textiles and plastic materials which are currently not recyclable. Ambitious plastic recycling targets of 50 percent have been set by the European Plastics Industry. Read More

EPA bans deadly chemical used in paint removers

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule to prohibit the manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution of methylene chloride in all paint removers or paint stripper for consumer use. EPA has taken this action because of the acute fatalities that have resulted from exposure to the chemical. In this final rule, EPA found risks to consumers to be unreasonable. Acute (short-term) exposures to methylene chloride fumes can rapidly cause dizziness, loss of consciousness, and death due to nervous system depression. Read More

Zinc Chloride – Synthesis, Purification and Uses and More

Zinc Chloride – Synthesis, Purification and Uses

Zinc Chloride is a chemical compound, which is composed of zinc and chlorine. It is a hygroscopic white crystalline ionic salt with the chemical formula ZnCl₂. Zinc Chloride is soluble in mediums such as water, glycerol, ether and alcohol. Since Zinc chloride is a deliquescent, it must be protected from sources of moisture such as water vapor. Synthesis and Purification: Anhydrous zinc chloride is synthesized by treating zinc with hydrogen chloride. Read More

Plastics maker in Vietnam uses Honeywell technology to produce propylene

Honeywell said that Phu My Plastics Production JSC will use Honeywell UOP’s C3 Oleflex technology to produce polymer-grade propylene at its facility in Vietnam. The plant will help meet growing domestic demand for plastics in Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia. This is the first award for Honeywell’s propane dehydrogenation technology in Vietnam Honeywell UOP will provide technology licensing for the Oleflex process, the process design package, proprietary and non-proprietary equipment, on-site operator training, technical services for startup and… Read More

BASF opens new global digital center in Spain

BASF SE has founded the new company BASF Digital Solutions SL located in Madrid, Spain to drive forward the digital transformation of the BASF group and develop innovative IT solutions. BASF plans to grow the centre to more than 300 digital specialists within the next years. “We want to stay a digital leader in the chemical industry. We need more digital talents with the best digital skills to speed up our digital transformation and achieve this ambitious goal,” said Dr Christoph Wegner, Chief Digital Officer of BASF. Read More

New preservative for cosmetics and personal care

Symrise launched its first benzyl alcohol-based preservative blend with the added power of SymSave H, SymOcide® BHO. The product effectively protects cosmetics from undesired microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria while being safe for consumers. The new development offers an extensive spectrum of potential applications, ranging from soaps, shower gels and shampoos to creams, wet wipes and face masks. The product also works well and effectively with conventional surfactants as well as sulfate-free systems. Read More

Chemistry of Northern Lights

Chemistry of Northern Lights

An aurora is a natural light phenomenon, which occurs in the high latitude regions of the two poles. They are known as northern lights or aurora borealis around the arctic circle. On the other hand, they are known as southern lights or aurora australis around the Antarctic circle. How does this phenomenon occur? The sun is situated approximately 150 million kilometres away from our planet. However, its effects are felt much beyond its visible surface. Read More

Borouge showcased their advanced polyolefins in Noida

Borouge said that it showcased its differentiated solutions for infrastructure, energy, packaging and agriculture applications recently in Noida, India. Borouge’s portfolio comprises a comprehensive collection of polyethylene and polypropylene materials for greenhouse and irrigation systems, consumer and industrial packaging, power grids and piping infrastructure. It also includes Anteo, the company’s latest polymer for flexible packaging applications. Borouge showcased its products recently at Indiaplast 2019. Read More

Nouryon to invest in new expandable microspheres plant

Nouryon has selected a location in the US for a world-scale polymerization plant for its Expancel expandable microspheres. The project will significantly strengthen the company’s leadership position in expandable microspheres, which are used to make customers’ end products lighter and reduce costs. Advanced engineering is underway and long delivery item procurement has started. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2020, subject to final board approval. Read More

Sika acquires Canadian manufacturer of concrete repair systems

Sika AG has agreed to acquire King Packaged Materials Company, a large independent Canadian manufacturer of dry shotcrete and mortars for concrete repair. With the acquisition, Sika will further expand its geographical footprint in Canada and improve its growth potential in the home improvement, construction, mining and tunnelling markets. The acquired business generates annual sales of CHF 61 million with a workforce of 180 employees. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2019. Read More