Chemical Industry Journal 24 by Distinctive Media Group Ltd

ISSUE24

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Chemical supply chain managing a perfect storm

s u p p ly c h a i n • c h e m i s t r y 4 . 0 • S u s ta i n a b i l i t y • I n g r e d i e n t s a n d b l e n d i n g hazard risk management • hazardous industries • fine chemicals

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| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| foreword |

chemicalindustryjournal.co.uk

Welcome Karen Southern Editor

Editor Karen Southern karen.southern@distinctivegroup.co.uk

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Perfect storm lies ahead for industry The problems highlighted in the introduction to our last issue unfortunately show no signs of diminishing. Nearly a year into the post-Brexit regulatory regime, the UK REACH infrastructure is creaking under the strain. We look at the challenges and considerations that the chemicals industry continues to face in relation to complex new regulations on compliance and registrations. And sadly, the somewhat gloomy forecast is that once obligations start coming into force, these problems will inevitably increase. And then there is – in the words of the Chemical Business Association (CBA) – the perfect storm facing the UK supply chain. While industry sensibly focuses on a longer-term structural strategy to help counter spiralling delivery delays, costs and staff shortages, the CBA is continuing to lobby the Government for on-

Distinctive Publishing or Chemical Industry Journal cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised or late entries. No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers and Chemical Industry Journal.

going support and increased investment in training, testing and HGV driver facilities. Thankfully, we have a lot of good news to report on too. The pace of innovation and investment –particularly in the fields of renewables and ‘green’ chemicals – shows no sign of losing momentum. In the wake of COP26, we showcase the launch of Scotland’s first sustainable chemical plant, and take a look at an Icelandic / British collaboration on sustainable methanol solutions, which will help address the urgent need to remove carbon emissions in hard-todecarbonise sectors of the economy. If you have a business or industry-related news story that you think might be of interest to our dedicated audience, please drop me a line at karen.southern@distinctivegroup.co.uk. As the new year fast approaches, Chemical Industry Journal is happy to keep supporting our readership in any way we can.

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Building resilience: now is the time to invest in natural hazard risk management

features

Chemical supply chain managing a perfect storm

Univar Solutions sets out next-generation sustainability goals

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contents

chemicalindustryjournal.co.uk

welcome

4-5

Contents

14-15

chemuk 21 review

issue 24

As one of the first post-lockdown ‘national trade show’ events scheduled at NEC Birmingham, CHEMUK 2021, the UK’s Chemical Industries Supply Chain Expo, opened its doors on Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th Sept, prompting delight and enthusiasm from across the sector.

16-18

supply chain Tim Doggett, Chief Executive of the Chemical Business Association, highlights the combination of forces contributing to a perfect storm for the chemical supply chain.

20-22

chemistry 4.0 The chemical sector is experiencing a tectonic shift towards automation of processes and products. However, this presents barriers for SMEs, from finance and a lack of digital skills, to uncertainty over where to start and the struggle to find time to capitalise on opportunities.

24-26

Sustainability SMART sustainable thinking and an ambitious digitalisation roadmap have given Univar Solutions the edge over its competitors. In fact, both lie at the core of the global giant’s business model.

28-29

Ingredients and blending Ever present in the chemical processing industry (CPI), solid mixing and blending are among the most crucial operations that influence end product quality.

32-34

hazard risk management With extreme weather events growing in frequency globally, Chris LeBoeuf, director of ABS Group, details how the chemical industry – including UK-based businesses – can do more to protect their assets and mitigate some of the risks posed by natural hazards.

38-40

hazardous industries Chemical sites: 12 pain points for safety, productivity and efficiency

48-49

fine chemicals UvA scientists develop fully solar-driven autonomous chemical mini-plant

Chemical sites: 12 pain points for safety, productivity and efficiency

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Chemical firm set to double in size through sustainable innovation A Manchester firm is set to double in size after developing innovative new chemicals that will help make household cleaning products more sustainable. Libra Speciality Chemicals, headquartered in Irlam and part of the Sheffield-based GRI Group, specialises in manufacturing and blending the active ingredients used in some of the world’s biggest personal care and household cleaning brands. Company scientists have innovated new low-salt formulations of commonly-used chemicals called betaines, which perform better as formulators, while also requiring a third less energy to manufacture. Well-known brands are already working to reformulate their products to incorporate the new ingredients, which contain just a tenth of the salt content commonly found in betaines, and could be on the shelves within 12 months. Libra Speciality Chemicals has invested £3.5 million in a new plant to manufacture the low-salt betaines, in a move that also increases total betaine capacity by around two thirds. The investment has been supported by a £2million loan through the Lloyds Bank Clean Growth Finance Initiative, which provides discounted lending to help businesses invest in reducing their environmental impact. The Artificial Intelligence-powered plant can produce more than a thousand tonnes of betaines a week and can be operated by a single worker. Graham Royle said: “This is a transformational investment that will help create a new generation of environmentallyfriendly, renewable plant-based cleaning products that are sulphate-free, energy efficient and create zero waste.

“We are committed to ‘Green Chemistry’, seeking everbetter environmental and sustainable solutions for everyday products. “I’m very optimistic about the future. We’re innovating and winning new business in new markets around the world.”

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Project to ‘reinvent’ chemical separation methods SynHISel is a multi-university research programme which aims to reinvent chemical separation methods and significantly cut total global energy consumption. Several UK universities are partnering in the £9 million project to develop new chemical processing technology that could save 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Using funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and industrial and university partners, the project is the biggest of its kind to date. It will investigate how to develop more efficient ways of separating chemicals – processes that underpin crucial parts of everyday life including clean water treatment, CO2 removal and food and pharmaceutical production. It is estimated that these separations currently consume 10-15 percent of total energy usage, and that they could be made 10 times more efficient by creating new highly selective membranes. The team will focus on uncovering universal characteristics of membranes that can be applied to a range of uses, and curb the need to reinvent an entirely new process for each application. The SynHiSel programme team comprises: Prof Davide Mattia and Prof John Chew, University of Bath; Dr Patricia Gorgojo and Prof Peter Budd, University of Manchester; Prof Ian Metcalfe and Dr Greg Mutch, Newcastle University; Prof Neil McKeown and Prof Maria-Chiara Ferrari, University of Edinburgh; Prof Andrew Livingston, Queen Mary University of London; Prof Kang Li and Dr Qilei Song, Imperial College London. Principal investigator Professor Davide Mattia, of the University of Bath, said: “Some of the biggest challenges we face – how to develop drugs and vaccines, ensure food security and quality, and how to make sure the water

we drink is clean – all require some form of chemical separation. We want to improve our understanding of highly selective membrane technology to create value in manufacturing and make processes more sustainable.” The programme will bring together chemical and process engineers, chemists, materials scientists and experts in scaling-up of industrial manufacture. Prof Mattia says that this breadth of expertise will allow the team to be more inventive in its approach. As well as new scientific innovation, the SynHiSel programme aims to develop a new generation of talent in the field, by acting as the virtual UK national membrane centre. Industrial partners include Evonik Industries AG, Dupont Teijing Films (UK), Pall Europe, BP, ExxonMobil, and Cytiva Europe. UK-based SMEs including Exactmer, Nanotherics, RFC Power, Watercycle Technologies, Laser Micromachining and the University of Bath spinout Naturbeads will also collaborate with the team.

“Some of the biggest challenges we face – how to develop drugs and vaccines, ensure food security and quality, and how to make sure the water we drink is clean – all require some form of chemical separation. We want to improve our understanding of highly selective membrane technology to create value in manufacturing and make processes more sustainable.” Professor Davide Mattia, the University of Bath

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Collaboration to support sustainable methanol Icelandic tech company Carbon Recycling International (CRI) has linked up with sustainability specialists Johnson Matthey (JM) on a long-term exclusive catalyst supply agreement for the use of JM’s KATALCOTM methanol catalysts in CRI’s Emissions-ToLiquids (ETL) designed CO2 to methanol plants. This combined offering seeks to meet the urgent need to remove carbon emissions in hard-to-decarbonise sectors of the economy. Conventional methanol production involves fossil feedstocks such as natural gas or coal. Methanol manufactured with CRI’s ETL process using JM catalysts provides a highly effective route to sustainable methanol from CO2. This can be recovered from either industrial processes or biomass, such as waste and residues, or atmospheric sources. This technology will provide a vital pathway to achieving net zero emissions by contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Methanol is an important raw material used to produce many everyday products including adhesives, pressed

“The need for proven, scaled and commercial solutions to produce sustainable chemicals and fuels has never been more urgent. Continuation of our long-standing cooperation with JM ensures that CRI can further strengthen its leadership in CO2-to-methanol technology and meet the needs of a growing number of clients adopting our flexible Emissions-to-Liquids technology.” Ingólfur Guðmundsson, CEO of CRI

wood, pharmaceuticals, clothing and transportation fuels. Making methanol from recycled CO2 is one of the most effective ways to achieve carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) for the chemical industry. Methanol manufactured with CRI’s ETL process meets all standard industrial specifications and can be used in all current methanol applications. As a global leader in sustainable technologies that enable decarbonisation, JM will supply its methanol synthesis catalyst for the CRI designed ETL plants. JM’s catalyst has been used in all CRI’s plants to date and their successful 10-year co-operation will continue with this agreement. “The need for proven, scaled and commercial solutions to produce sustainable chemicals and fuels has never been more urgent. Continuation of our long-standing cooperation with JM ensures that CRI can further strengthen its leadership in CO2-to-methanol technology and meet the needs of a growing number of clients adopting our flexible Emissions-to-Liquids technology,” said Ingólfur Guðmundsson, CEO of CRI. “At Johnson Matthey our whole focus is about creating a world that is cleaner and healthier”, said John Gordon, Managing Director, Johnson Matthey. “We believe we have a critical role in decarbonising the way chemicals are produced. We are excited to continue our long- standing cooperation with CRI, since 2011, through the development of green methanol, building a cleaner future based on reduced emissions and more sustainable use of natural resources.”

CASE STUDY Chinese petrochemicals corporation Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemicals has signed an agreement with CRI to design a chemical plant based on ETL technology. The plant – which makes polymer and plastics products will recycle around 150,000 metric tons of CO2 and 20,000 metric tons of H2 per year from other onsite processes to produce 100,000 tons of methanol annually. Direct use of CO2 at the plant will equal taking 53,000 fossil fuelled cars off the roads, and indirect emission savings from non-use of fossil raw materials is estimated to be as high as 550,000 tons per year.

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Toxicology lab expands to meet global demand UK toxicology contract research organisation Gentronix has expanded its laboratory facilities for genetic, ocular, and skin toxicology testing and to provide new, specialist services amid increasing demand. It has added 2,300sqft to its footprint at Alderley Park in Cheshire, to expand its GLP services for assessing chemicals for skin and eye toxicity potential, using laboratory-based test systems. It also allows for increased capacity for its existing GLP and screening studies within genetic toxicology. Ocular damage and irritation tests using OECD 437 and OECD 492 studies, as well as phototoxicity testing services, will be offered at the new location. The new space will also enable Gentronix to expand the conduct of its in vitro 3D-skin irritation and corrosion services to full GLP compliance. These services complement the existing GLP in vitro skin sensitisation studies that the firm routinely conducts: DPRA, h-CLAT and KeratinoSensTM, offering sponsors a comprehensive battery of skin and ocular toxicity tests. Also housed within the new space is a laboratory to support the post-life phase of Big Blue® transgenic mutation studies, acquired by the business earlier this year. Managing director Matt Tate, said: “Having identified the opportunity to expand our laboratory facilities at Alderley

Park, we saw this as a vital part of our growth plans, enabling us to implement important new service lines and increase existing service capacity to meet continuing growth in demand. “The implementation of a comprehensive ocular and skin toxicology GLP service will enable Gentronix to expand our collaboration with our existing client base in the chemicals sector, as well as driving new business growth within cosmetics, consumer products and personal care markets; newer service sectors for Gentronix. Having the ability to deliver the assessment of corrosion and irritation potential for both skin and eye, and then follow those studies up with phototoxicity and sensitisation testing all at one site, with a dedicated and highly experienced scientific team, will deliver real value to our clients.”

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| sartorius |

Simplify Chemical Laboratory Workflows with Advanced Weighing Application Solutions Balances used in chemical laboratory workflows must deliver accuracy and precision while being robust and intuitive to operate. The Cubis® II portfolio of laboratory balances and applications reflect 150 years of weighing expertise and innovation. These balances have been trusted to weigh the most precious samples, including the moon rocks brought back by the Apollo 11 mission. With this legacy, these balances have earned a place in the most demanding chemical laboratory workflows. In this article, we highlight four of the many applications for which Cubis® II balances can be used and demonstrate the unmatched flexibility to meet the diverse needs of users in the chemical laboratory setting.

RESIDUE ON IGNITION Residue on ignition is used to determine the ratio of inorganic and organic components in samples. The testing procedure can be applied to a wide range of sample types to determine inorganic impurities in an organic substance or organic impurities contained within inorganic samples. Samples are subjected to heat treatment in a drying oven under the influence of oxygen which destroys organic substances. The loss of mass (i.e.,loss on ignition) represents the organic portion of the sample while the residual ash (i.e., residue on ignition) represents the inorganic portion. The Cubis® II residue on ignition application is used to determine the sample initial weight, back weight and residue on ignition. Based on the first back weight, the remaining substance weight (rest) before drying is determined while the second back weight is used to determine residue on ignition after drying. The first and second back weighings can be repeated as needed and previous back weights can be overwritten. The most recent values are always used by the software to calculate the rest and the residue on ignition.

DENSITY MEASUREMENT Determination of the density of solids and liquids is an essential part of the chemical workflow. Applications designed for the Cubis® II balance facilitate these measurements with a solution that is fast, easy and less expensive than benchtop density meters. The Cubis® II is also capable of handling solid samples with densities higher than 3 g/cm3. The density measurement of solids application uses the buoyancy method. A climate module measures environmental conditions including humidity, air pressure and air temperature while a thermometer supplied in the density measures the temperature of the water bath. The sample is first weighed in air and then submerged in liquid. Based on the two weight values the application calculates the sample density.

BACKWEIGHING The backweighing application is used for simple differential weighing with alphanumeric lot tracking. The technique is performed to determine loss on drying, as an example, or used with raw materials and finished products to determine chemical compatibility with packaging.

FORMULATION

The process is easy and efficient with Cubis® II balances. As a first step, the initial weight (with tare) is measured. This is followed by up to three back weights per sample. The application calculates the difference between the initial and backweight of samples.

Formulation is a critical step in product development and production processes. For a global company, it is essential that specific formulation are produced in the same manner at all sites and if changes are needed, an updated recipe can be efficiently distributed across the organization.

CONCLUSION

These applications enable formulation recipes to be stored on the Cubis® II in a balance internal database or in an external PostgreSQL via our formulation software apps. Depending on the used application recipes are either weighed into one single tare vessels or multiple tare vessels. The user defines the components, component target weight and permissible tolerances for each recipe. During the weighing process, the target weight of each component is displayed, highlighted with a yellow/ green/red bar graph; the weight value can be acquired automatically or manually. The application documents the measured component weights, determines the difference from the set target weight and calculates the sum of the total weight.

The Cubis® II portfolio of configurable, high performance balance hardware and software aligns with the unique demands of the chemical laboratory. These balances were designed for intuitive operation and include intelligent diagnostic systems which guarantee a higher degree of reproducibility while reducing the risk of human error. To learn more about the Cubis® II portfolio and software applications, please visit www.sartorius.com/en/products/weighing/laboratorybalances/cubis-ii www.sartorius.com/bulk-chemicals

Getting The Chemistry Right! Innovative Solutions for Efficient and Simplified Chemical Analysis Easy-to-handle and quick-to-clean meets highest durability and resilience. With flexible, modular and versatile products we help you drive innovation and adapt to new trends, technologies or regulations in your pursuit of sustainable chemistry – doing more with less.

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| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| news |

Renewable chemicals firm signs bio solvent partnership and other commercially and environmentally valuable products. Caldic will distribute the bio-solvents produced by Celtic Renewables – a high purity bio solution, with a low carbon footprint, with the aim of providing a sustainable bio-based alternative to fossil fuel produced solvents. The announcement of the partnership was made by Mark Simmers, Chief Executive Officer of Celtic Renewables, at a COP 26 event in November, attended by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Celtic Renewables CEO Mark Simmers said: “This strategic partnership with Caldic not only secures the viability of our Grangemouth plant and the 35 people who work there, but also allows us to fast track our global expansion programme.

Cleantech innovator Celtic Renewables has signed its first major re-seller, Caldic, as it gears up for the launch of Scotland’s first sustainable chemical plant in Grangemouth, Scotland. Celtic Renewables’ patented low-carbon technology converts unwanted and low-value biological material into high-value renewable chemicals, sustainable biofuel,

“To support this, we have launched an additional round of crowdfunding on Crowdcube to support our plans to build larger scale facilities around the world, which will enable us to bring more of our sustainable solutions to a greater number of people interested in doing the right thing for the planet.” Celtic Renewables is a former winner of a Most Innovative European Biotech SME Award.

Partnership will accelerate green UK hydrogen production A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been agreed between consulting and engineering company Wood and HYGEN Energy to accelerate the production of green hydrogen for decarbonising transportation in the UK. This marks a tangible step towards delivering the UK Government’s strategy to achieve 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030. The MoU will begin with a conceptual design for the facility at Herne Bay, Kent. The facility will generate green hydrogen from existing offshore wind farms for use in zero emission mobility transport in the Southeast of England. Production is forecast to start by mid-2023, with capacity of between eight and nine tonnes of green hydrogen per day. EMEA president Craig Shanaghey said: “At Wood, we are committed to working with our clients to tackle global energy challenges and we know that producing hydrogen – economically and at pace – will be critical as we transition to a more integrated, lower carbon energy mix.” Jo Bamford, founder and Executive Chairman of HYGEN Energy, said the MOU marked a positive step forward: “We have ambitious plans to build a network of green

hydrogen production plants across the UK to provide zero-emission fuel for a number of uses, create strong jobs, and to help position the UK as a world-leader in the hydrogen sector. With partners on board such as Wood, we’re confident that we will realise those ambitions.” This contract award follows a series of other wins for Wood in 2021, with over 30 separate hydrogen contracts secured which span green, blue and bio-hydrogen projects. In July, the company also became a steering member of The Hydrogen Council.

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Optibrium appoints Professor Andy Black Professor Andy Black has been appointed non-executive Chair of the Board of Directors at Optibrium™. Following recent investment from Kester Capital, the software developer for drug discovery has appointed Andy to help lead its strategic expansion. This will include the continued advancement Dr Andy Black, of software for drug discovery, Chair of Board at Optibrium focusing on the ‘hit-to-lead’ and ‘lead optimisation’ phases, extracting maximum value from pharmaceutical data, confidently targeting high-quality compounds, and accelerating discovery cycles. With deep industry insight spanning more than 20 years, Andy has extensive board experience, devising and

leading strategic change and company growth, including chairman roles at Synetic Life Sciences, a life science industry-focused consultancy, and Sygnature Discovery. As Professor of Practice at King’s College London, Andy teaches on entrepreneurship and supports both the university and King’s Health Partners with commercial partnerships. Prior to his current roles, Andy co-founded Kinapse, an international business providing expert advisory and implementation services to life science industries, sitting as CEO and subsequently Board Director. In recognition of the company’s success, Kinapse received six Fast Track Awards and was chosen by London & Partners as one of the 10 International Growth Heroes in 2016. He said: “Computational drug discovery solutions are a critical component for the success of drug discovery. I am excited to be working with this driven and exceptional team and continue to help our customers transform drug discovery.”

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| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| chemuk 21 |

The UK’s Chemical Industries reunite at CHEMUK 2021, NEC Birmingham As one of the first post-lockdown ‘national trade show’ events scheduled at NEC Birmingham, CHEMUK 2021, the UK’s Chemical Industries Supply Chain Expo, opened its doors on Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th Sept, prompting delight and enthusiasm from across the sector. Ian Stone, MD of event organisers UK Industry Events commented: “In the wake of unprecedented challenges and disruptions thrown up to all industries, with the outbreak of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the CHEMUK team were so delighted to see attendee groups from across all segments of the Chemical Industries, as well as representation from

across all regions…it was so satisfying to bring the industry back together again!” Showcasing some 350+ exhibiting companies representing literally hundreds of product, technology and service brands supporting the broad Chemicals, Chemical formulated products and Chemical-using industries, the busy 10,000sqm expo floor welcomed some 2,400+ visitors (and a further 1,000+ from across exhibiting teams) over the 2 days, creating a combined 3,500+ attendance. On this year’s attendance, Ian added: “With strong preregistration levels and a great ‘buzz’ across industry & social channels, the industry’s eagerness to engage again in a dynamic physical trade show environment was palpable and borne out as soon as the doors opened on Day One.”

CHEMUK2021 was a fantastic opportunity for Holiferm. We were excited to share our biosurfactants with leading industry experts, who loved our samples. We also engaged with many members of the UK chemical supply chain, with a view to supporting us as we build the largest dedicated bio-surfactant plant for household and personal care in the world. We are really looking forward to coming back in May 2022 to share the progress we have made and renew the relationships we have formed. Richard Lock - Managing Director - Holiferm

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Busy & Vibrant Expo CHEMUK 2021 Expo followed on its hugely successful inaugural event, held in Harrogate in 2019 and represents the UK’s only dedicated national supply chain expo for the chemicals industries, attracting highly specialised attendee groups from across the UK’s chemicals, chemical products & chemical-using industries, converging to see the very latest plant, equipment, technologies, supply chain partners & specialist services driving operational performance, plant & process efficiency, sustainability goals, future-proofing, safety, compliance, supply chain fulfilment and more. The event provides a single sourcing environment for suppliers, services & partners embracing: Supply chain Chemicals, Ingredients & Raw materials Contract Chemical manufacturers

Digital & Automation technologies

Green chemistry/bio-based transition solutions

Health & Safety, Environmental & Regulatory

Plant, Process, Flow & Control

Chemical Logistics, Storage, Handling & Fulfilment Chemical Sector Laboratory/R&D Asset Management, Site Operational & Maintenance Sector Skills & Training Sector Partners & Intelligence...

“Airedale Chemical was delighted to play our part in our very first trade show at this year’s CHEM UK. It proved to be a decisive kick start to the chemical trade show calendar and an event that certainly delivered in footfall. We look forward to showcasing all our Airedale Group business divisions at next year’s event.”

THE BUSY 10,000SQM EXPO FLOOR WELCOMED SOME 2,400+ VISITORS (AND A FURTHER 1,000+ FROM ACROSS EXHIBITING TEAMS) OVER THE 2 DAYS, CREATING A COMBINED 3,500+ ATTENDANCE.

Daniel Marr - Group CCO - Airedale Group

2-Day integrated conference A packed ‘free to attend’ 2-day speaker programme presented 2021 attendees with some 150+ expert speakers, across the four integrated show floor stages, including feature session & panels discussing the big trends, challenges, opportunities & innovations affecting the UK’s chemical industries. Speakers and guest panellists were drawn from across the sector, contributing to some 40+ hours of overall vital market intelligence, tech insight, best practice, case studies, solutions updates and more, for attendee groups. Big topics taking centre stage this year included Sustainability/ NetZero, Post-Brexit, Green Chemistry/ Biobased, Process Intensification, Digitisation & Automation, Innovation, UK REACH, Sector Skills..and more

Great to be back ‘live’ Summing up, Stone commented “Nothing beats the ‘live’ trade show experience for networking and connections, vital intelligence, ideas, inspiration, and just soaking up your sector’s current position. You can also see what is happening immediately ‘over the horizon’ as well as longer term, in a dynamic, spontaneous, and visually engaging way; empowering and informing those crucial next steps…. Can’t wait to welcome the industry back in 2022!” ... And dates for Diary: CHEMUK 2022, 11-12 May 2022 (NEC Birmingham)

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| supply chain |

Chemical supply chain managing a perfect storm Tim Doggett, Chief Executive of the Chemical Business Association, highlights the combination of forces contributing to a perfect storm for the chemical supply chain.

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| supply chain |

dentifying the primary causes of the current supply chain issues is relatively easy. Covid-19 and Brexit, as well as a chronic shortage of HGV drivers, have each contributed to a greater or lesser extent to the current situation. But finding workable solutions to these related issues is more problematic. There is no universal quick fix or magic bullet. We have become reliant on extended and complex supply chains, and the only way forward is to unpack each of these individual issues, identify their causes, and find pragmatic solutions.

INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY CHAINS The international supply chain broadly divides into three main markets: Asia Pacific, the Americas, and the European Union (EU). Of these, the EU is the most important to the UK chemical supply chain as it is the source of 70% of the UK’s chemical imports (and the destination for 60% of the UK’s chemical exports). Problems with chemical supplies from the Asia-Pacific region – dominated in volume terms by China and India – were triggered by the initial outbreak of Covid-19 in Wuhan, a London-sized city in central China. With the spread of the pandemic, lockdowns quickly began to affect the logistics chain and, within a matter of weeks, international trade from the region slowed to a virtual stop. Even as the lockdowns eased several months later, the logistical logjam caused other problems. Many shipping containers were displaced which resulted in the price of shipping containers increasing exponentially. Shipping companies were not slow to see an opportunity to boost their profits and massively increased their shipping rates. According to the consultants McKinsey’s, during this period, it cost six times more to ship a container from China to Europe than it did just twelve months earlier. At the same time, shipping performance rapidly decreased with vessel reliability falling month-on-month to just 36% in July 2021 down 40 percentage points year-on-year. Shippers were left to pick up the bill despite a declining level of service from the ship operators. These facts were endorsed by the CEO of the Global Shippers’ Forum who complained that “We are the victim of circumstances in this terrible pandemic, but shippers have long been dissatisfied with the shipping industry’s apparent magical ability to co-operate in ways that would land any other business owner in jail and leave shippers paying record freight rates for a service that is increasingly declining in performance.” The rate at which the international supply chain resumes to a more sustainable balance will almost entirely depend on the incremental speed at which global economies emerge from the pandemic and the skill with which individual countries manage the continuing influence of Covid-19.

UK SUPPLY CHAINS Perhaps it’s worthwhile establishing the Chemical Business Association’s credentials in relation to the UK chemical supply chain. Our membership consists of chemical distributors and logistics services providers that together represent the greater part of the UK’s chemical supply chain. We therefore have a 360° perspective on the UK supply chain.

Tim Doggett Chief Executive of the Chemical Business Association Three factors have acted together to destabilise the UK’s chemical supply chain: Brexit, Covid-19, and the chronic shortage of HGV drivers. To a large extent, this is a consequence of cause and effect. Some European HGV drivers have taken the rational decision to return to their home countries to be with their families during the pandemic. Others may have taken the equally rational decision to return home because of the new Brexit residency rules and changes to the UK tax regime, whilst some may just have opted to return for better pay and working conditions on the Continent. It is impossible to untangle these various motives with any degree of certainty - but their impact is clear to see. According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), across all industries, the number of people employed as HGV drivers in the UK has fallen by 53,000 in the last four years. The largest single group of drivers leaving the industry were 46-55 years of age. The expected consequence of this relatively sudden contraction in the availability of a specific skill – rapidly rising wage rates (to an extent encouraged by comments from the Prime Minister) - is already happening. The next inevitable stage in this process is that prices will also rise as companies pass these increased costs onto their customers. The same phenomenon will undoubtedly also affect products supplied by international supply chains. The cumulative impact on inflation of these events remains to be seen. Another practical impact of Covid-19 on the HGV driver shortage was that fact that most driving tests were suspended during lockdown periods. According to official

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| supply chain |

sources, only 16,000 candidates passed their HGV driving test in the year to March 2021. This compares with an average of more than 41,000 HGV tests passed in a normal pre-pandemic year. Recent labour market data provides focus on the long-term issue. Vacancies in transport and storage occupations are the highest on record. In the three months to September this year, there were 52,000 vacancies in this category, an increase of almost 50% on pre-pandemic levels. But transport is not the only sector with this problem. Vacancies are at record levels across all industries, standing at just over one million – a figure which is 40% higher than prepandemic levels. Clearly, these problems do not lend themselves to quick, simple, and low-cost solutions. Businesses are having to manage in the best way they can. Our distributor and logistics members are reporting delayed deliveries and, in many cases, deliveries that are not being made at all. In the meantime, supplies of key chemical components, many operating on a just-in-time basis, are becoming erratic with consequences for advanced manufacturing, the process industries, key utilities, and the health sector. There is no sign of improvement in the short term with the latest report from Transport Intelligence showing that European Freight Rates have continued to rise for the fifth consecutive quarter and are expected to continue in this upward trajectory for the rest of 2021 as demand increases and road haulage capacity remains tight.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT The industry’s response to this situation has remained consistent throughout the crisis. Accepting that Covid-19 and its impact on the international supply chain were issues beyond the reach of an individual business sector in the UK, the industry has focused on the longer-term structural solutions needed to solve the domestic HGV driver problem. Some of the responses from Government included the issuing of short-term visas to encourage some European drivers to return to the UK and the creation of a Government-Industry initiative to tackle issues such as the training and testing of HGV drivers, a new apprenticeship system, and higher levels of investment in roadside lorry facilities along the lines of those on the Continent.

Whilst Government may have responded relatively positively to the industry’s proposals, it has often been reactive rather than proactive, and it has also managed a few missteps. Relaxing the limits on HGV driving hours and the cabotage rules applying to foreign drivers were both resisted by industry organisations: the first being impractical and inappropriate and the second, which allowed foreign drivers to carry out unlimited work in any given two-week period, being dismissed as ‘cabotage sabotage’ and a measure which disadvantages UK hauliers. Other Government measures to try and improve the situation have so far had little positive impact. As far as short-term visas are concerned, Ministers have admitted that of the 300 applications received from foreign HGV drivers, ‘just over 20 drivers’ have actually received visas. The Government’s target is to grant 5,000 visas by the end of February 2022 – but this figure is dwarfed by the actual shortage of HGV driver shortages in the UK, which is estimated to be around 100,000 drivers. There are ongoing issues still to be resolved and clarity is required in relation to the workability of the Government’s measures and in developing a long-term strategy to the chronic HGV driver shortage, it is not simply an issue that is down to industry to fix. The fact is that there is little likelihood of a quick end to the current supply chain disruption which may bring permanent change to the chemical supply chain. These may include longer and less reliable lead times and a recalibration of just-in-time deliveries. It may also bring about changes in purchasing strategies, an increase in the average size of consignments, higher general stock levels, and an increased use of storage and warehouse facilities. The Chemical Business Association has led on this issue for the UK chemical supply chain and will continue to pursue longer term solutions with Government and to lobby for increased investment in training, testing, and on-the-road facilities for HGV drivers. The Chemical Business Association represents chemical distributors and logistics companies in the UK independent supply chain. To learn more, contact Dr Karen Harvey, Membership Manager, on 01270 258200 or email karen.harvey@chemical.org.uk.

“We are the victim of circumstances in this terrible pandemic, but shippers have long been dissatisfied with the shipping industry’s apparent magical ability to co-operate in ways that would land any other business owner in jail and leave shippers paying record freight rates for a service that is increasingly declining in performance.” CEO of the Global Shippers’ Forum

Explore a 3D chemical plant: www.vega.com/chemical www.vega.com/refining-petrochemical

Level. Switching. Pressure. Measurement technology for the chemical and petrochemical industry Thanks to our decades of experience we understand the requirements of the chemical and petrochemical industry and its diverse media – from safe processing to reliable storage and efficient transportation. No matter whether solids, liquids or gases are being mixed or made to react: VEGA has the right sensor for the job. Reliable. Proven in the field. Easy to service.

www.vega.com

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| chemistry 4.0 |

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| chemistry 4.0 |

Made Smarter helps SMEs embrace Chemistry 4.0 The chemical sector is experiencing a tectonic shift towards automation of processes and products. However, this presents barriers for SMEs, from finance and a lack of digital skills, to uncertainty over where to start and the struggle to find time to capitalise on opportunities. Helping SMEs keep up with the pace was the foundation of the Made Smarter Adoption programme, which was first launched in the North West, and is now set to expand across the UK.

efficiency by 25%, reduce energy consumption by 10% per ton of product, and reduce waste by up to 20%.

Launched as a £20m government-funded industryled pilot in 2019, it has since worked with over 1,200 businesses, including many in the chemical sector, offering impartial technology advice, digital transformation workshops, a leadership programme, and funded digital technology internships.

A Digital Transformation Workshop offers a streamlined diagnostic of products, services, processes and people to find practical solutions. Manufacturers are then given a bespoke guide with recommended first steps and a digital roadmap. This roadmap helps target the right technology to grow progressively and sustainably, and avoid wasted time, effort and money.

The programme has supported 201 technology projects which are forecast to deliver an additional £150m in GVA for the North West economy over the next three years, create over 920 new jobs, and upskill 1,764 existing roles. Some have invested in technology to integrate systems, capture and analyse data, and create simulations of their plants and processes. Others are using 3D-printing, automation, and robotics to solve business challenges and meet increased demand. For example, Organica UK, a Birkenhead-based manufacturer of environmentally friendly household cleaning products, invested in two technology projects which have created new jobs and increased turnover. Sensors now capture the volumes of ingredients going into and coming out of its blending tanks and other parts of its filling process, introducing real-time monitoring and analytics which have resulted in a 20% productivity increase. A second project will create a bespoke, cloud-based ERP solution to help keep track of orders, production and stock, and is forecast to improve

WHERE TO START

SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP Manufacturers can upgrade their skill sets with a Leadership Programme to give them the strategic view and skills needed to pursue smarter manufacturing, using a hybrid model of classroom learning and site visits. Andrew Mooney, Managing Director of Actikem, a chemical manufacturer, based in Warrington, benefited from the programme which helped the business navigate the impact of the pandemic. Made Smarter also offers specialist advice about organisational and workforce development, and funded Digital Technology Internships for university students and graduates. Such has the been the success of the North West programme, it has now been expanded to the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the West Midlands. More details at madesmarter.uk

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| chemistry 4.0 |

Ulysses is the world’s first fully automated drug discovery platform developed and operated by Arctoris based in Oxford, Boston and Singapore

AI and Cloud accelerate closed loop drug discovery A collaboration between IBM Research and Arctoris is investigating the application of AI and automation to accelerate closed loop molecule discovery. IBM Research has developed RXN for Chemistry, an online platform leveraging state-of-the-art Natural Language Processing (NLP) architectures to automate synthetic chemistry. Representing chemical reactions via SMILES (Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System), the system is able to perform highly accurate reaction predictions using its powerful AI. Optimised synthetic routes are then used as input for RoboRXN, an automated platform for molecule synthesis. Oxford-based technology company Arctoris has developed Ulysses, an end-to-end automated platform for drug discovery research. The platform ensures accuracy, precision, and reproducibility by leveraging robotic experiment execution and digital data capture technologies across cell and molecular biology and biochemistry/ biophysics. Experiments conducted with Ulysses generate more than 100 times more datapoints per assay compared to industry standard, leading to deeper insights and accelerated progress compared to manual methods. The two platforms are now being combined for the first time in a research collaboration that will see new small molecule inhibitors for undisclosed targets being designed, made, tested, and analysed (DMTA) in an autonomous, closed loop approach. Concretely, IBM Research will design and synthesize novel chemical matter (Design, Make), to

be profiled and evaluated by Arctoris (Test, Analyze), with the resulting data informing the subsequent iteration of the DMTA cycle. Thomas A. Fleming, Arctoris co-founder and COO, explained: “The future of drug discovery is computational, with AI and robotics paving the way for better treatments to reach patients sooner. We are excited about partnering with IBM Research on a world-first closed loop drug discovery project bringing together two leaders in the field of AI and robotics-powered drug discovery. This collaboration will showcase how the combination of our unique technology platforms will lead to accelerated research based on better data enabling better decisions.” Dr Teodoro Laino, Distinguished Scientist at IBM Research Europe – Zurich, said: “This collaboration is a great example of the enablement that AI, Cloud and Automation can have in the space of material design. The integration between the two complementary technologies reveals how it is more and more important in R&D to turn great research into great viable products.” Project co-ordinator Dr Matteo Manica, Research Scientist at IBM Research Europe – Zurich, added: “This is a unique opportunity to quantify the impact of AI and automation technologies in accelerating scientific discovery. In our collaboration, we demonstrate a pipeline to perform iterative design cycles where generative models suggest candidates that are synthesized with RoboRXN and screened with Ulysses. The data produced by Ulysses will then be used to establish a feedback loop to retrain the generative AI and improve the proposed leads in a completely data-driven fashion.”

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| novaflex |

Novaflex – Process Flow The Novaflex Group is a market leader through excellence in product innovation and a commitment to continuous advancement in hose and connector solutions.

COMPOSITE HOSE

EXTRUDED THERMOPLASTIC DUCTING Novaflex offer a wide range of ducting products for air and dust control, light material handling and wet or dry fume control, and many other applications. Novafles ducting is lightweight, flexible and economical.

COUPLINGS Novaflex composite hoses are manufactured to meet British and European standards BS5842, BS3492, and BS EN 13765. Novaflex composite hoses and assemblies hold Lloyd’s Register Certified Type Approval for BS EN 13765:2018. Novaflex have manufactured composite hoses in the UK since 2008 and supply thermoplastic composite hoses in diameters ranging from 1” to 10” in lengths of up to 40 metres. Hoses are made to a wide range of specifications for a wide range of chemical, application, and customer requirements.

RUBBER HOSES

Drawing on decades of real world application experience, the NovaFlex® Hi-Flow™ Dry-Release™ ‘HDC®’ Couplings optimise every area of function and design to deliver a truly innovative and reliable safety product. Safety Breakaway Couplings by Novaflex® provide the highest standard of safety technology to protect personnel, critical assets and the environment. Fittings are also available in a range of threaded and flanged designs specifically designed to work with our range of Novaflex hoses. www.novaflex.com

The Novaflex rubber hose range includes material handling, chemical, food grade, and mining hoses, as well as a range of expansion joints and connectors. Novaflex rubber hoses are available in a wide range of diameters in EPDM, UHMWP, Teflon, Nitrile, and Viton, for resistance to chemicals, abrasion, heat and corrosive conditions. Hoses are manufactured in North America and comply with FDA, 3A, USDA, and REACH standards.

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| sustainability |

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| sustainability |

Univar Solutions sets out next-generation sustainability goals SMART sustainable thinking and an ambitious digitalisation roadmap have given Univar Solutions the edge over its competitors. In fact, both lie at the core of the global giant’s business model.

ven within the last couple of years, the chemicals industry has seen a huge shift in perspective – from traditional challenges such as mergers and acquisitions and product innovation – to a much greater emphasis on consumer-centric needs and values.

SUSTAINABILITY - THE ESTABLISHED CORE VALUE Sustainability is, of course, integral to these values. Customers want to see a drastic cut in carbon emissions and waste. Throw scarce, costly natural resources and complex regulations into the mix, and the challenges reverberate all the way up the supply chain. Univar Solutions – a world leader in chemical and ingredient supply and distribution – was ahead of the field when it produced its first Sustainability Report in 2008. Since then, it has made great strides forward in transforming processes, culture, products, safety and innovation, to name just a few key objectives. Its first climate action goals - set in 2017 – were achieved ahead of this year’s target date, despite the unforeseen upheaval caused by the pandemic. Now, the company is already looking forward to its next generation sustainability goals to 2025. These will focus on: Climate Action: implementing technology, processes and culture in support of a net zero emission future Safety: keeping employees, vendors and customers safe at work through culture and practices Resource use: driving sustainable usage through principles of circularity and operational excellence Release prevention: responsible handing of materials across operations and supply chains.

Sustainable sourcing: improved performance and minimum standards across the supplier base Sustainable solutions: leveraging products, services and technologies to support customer journeys Diversity, equity and inclusion: improved representation at leadership level and creating a culture of authenticity at work Community engagement: showing commitment to help keep society healthy, fed, clean and safe. Director of Global Sustainability, Liam McCarroll, explained: “The industry is facing massive unavoidable challenges, and we as a company feel we have an important part to play in coming up with solutions to the complex issues faced on a global scale. “We always strongly believed in implementing a proper strategy from the start of this journey 15 years ago, rather than making a broad commitment without the plans to back it up.” “Sustainability is very much part of who we are as a business, but ultimately it’s not just about us, it’s about working closely with our partners and the broader supply chain. Transparency and collaboration are how we seek to drive positive change.” Univar Solutions made a pledge to align with a target well below 2 degrees two years ago, and is a signatory of the UN Global Compact, a corporate initiative based on universal sustainability principles. It has also invested heavily in energy- efficient heating and lighting infrastructure, and low carbon technologies. While Liam concedes that it will be impossible to exclude all energy consumption, “We’re a business that moves things from one place to another,

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| sustainability |

after all!”, the company is seeking to mitigate the impact of operations as much as possible by making green energy procurement an important part of its strategy. The company is also focused on reducing key emissions further by 2030, with the ultimate aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. As Liam pointed out: “Our goals are a true reflection of where we want to stand in terms of our carbon footprint. But again, it’s not just about us. It’s how we as a business support our customers and suppliers on their own sustainability journeys. Our experiences are all interlinked: there’re no winners if we don’t all succeed together.” “We appreciate that different regions are perhaps on different stages of their journey, but our global programme has been initiated because, at the end of the day, we’re all facing the same challenges no matter where we live and work.” Dwayne Roark, Head of Global Government Affairs & Communications, added, “With the continued ESG focus on our industry and beyond, our bold approach to our 2025 sustainability goals and metrics has really aligned us to our customers and suppliers. In fact, it has really stretched the boundaries of what we can do together.”

DIGITILISATION - A NEW DRIVING FORCE “The chemical industry has traditionally always been very conservative in outlook,” says Mark Mongan, EMEA Commercial Manager at Univar Solutions. “But I think everyone in the industry, particularly distribution, has really woken up to digitalisation in the last five years.” “Customer experience is becoming more and more important, particularly when it comes to offering digital solutions.” “We want our customer experience to be positive and we want to be easy to do business with, and that’s where we aim to differentiate ourselves with our e-commerce platforms.” Mark acknowledges that the buying and selling aspect of the chemicals marketplace is a crowded one. “But what sets us apart from our competitors is our level of service and customer support, not only from a technical perspective, but increasingly from a digital one too.” “Covid definitely speeded up change, but it was happening anyway. The days of picking up the phone to ask for a regulatory document and then waiting around for it to drop into someone’s To Do list are long gone.”

“Our goals are a true reflection of where we want to stand in terms of our carbon footprint. But again, it’s not just about us. It’s how we as a business support our customers and suppliers on their own sustainability journeys. Our experiences are all interlinked: there’re no winners if we don’t all succeed together.” Liam McCarroll, Director of Global Sustainability

“The pandemic didn’t just transform the traditional 9 to 5 – it accelerated our plans to deliver innovative customer solutions.” “We live in an age of instant information, which sounds easy to do but can be technologically quite complicated. However, we’ve already successfully rolled out our e-commerce platforms in the US, Canada and Europe with plans to expand further in the coming months. It means customers can log in and download regulatory documents whenever they want.” “They can get immediate pricing on products, choose specific volumes from suppliers, raise and send orders – it’s so much more efficient that the old analogue transactions by phone or email.” However, Mark is keen to stress that the customer always comes first, and contact by phone or email is still available, if preferred. “We’re here to help, offer different ways of doing business, and provide the tools to do just that.” So far – despite the challenges of lockdown – the transition to a dedicated e-commerce platform has been exceptionally smooth. Mark added: “Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with a recent survey showing 85% in favour of the changes, and happy to keep on logging in to do business.” “Our customers want additional regulatory documents to be made available online, which was already on our roadmap.” “I think it’s important to say while we have got a really strong, market-leading platform, this is just the start. You can’t stand still in a digital world!” Mark is naturally reticent about planned functionality updates, but says that the goal is obviously to enhance the customer experience further. “Ultimately, we want customers to be able to create their own accounts and check in and out without any input from us.” “Our new platforms have simply opened lots of doors and introduced exciting new ways of doing business!” Find out more about services and products at univarsolutions.com

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| news |

ICIS launches first interactive global database of chemical recycling projects Despite, the global demand for recycled plastics, particularly for food and beverage packaging, supply of high-quality food grade recycled polymer material is limited. To help connect with suppliers, ICIS has launched ‘Recycling Supply Tracker - Chemical’, the world’s only interactive database which provides FMCGs, chemical producers, large converters and retailers with an in-depth view of the emerging chemical recycling market. Many industry players have public sustainability targets and need to understand capacities in the market to ensure they can source the necessary materials. As of 2021, the global installed capacity for chemical recycling is under 2.5m tonnes, including both commercial and pre-commercial facilities with Asia Pacific and North America as the leading regions. The new database has up-to-date data including installed capacity, output volume, process, and feedstock, as well as details about the licensor and investors. It also provides updates on projects as they happen to help the industry understand the pace of growth in this sector. Less than 30% of projects are currently operating at commercial scale, but over half of the plants identified are expected to start-up in the next three years.

Chemical recycling processes can also be used to revert plastic waste back to an earlier molecular state. The database has identified that, in terms of capacity, only around 20% of the global recyclers currently produce polymers as an output of their chemical recycling facilities. ICIS spokesperson Louise Boddy said, “Plastic waste is one of the biggest issues facing society and the investment now going into the development of new technologies to deal with plastic waste could be a game changer in the prevention of environmental leakage of used plastic. “Efforts to bring more complex technology and greater scale to this industry are accelerating fast and ICIS is detailing these developments with its new supply tracker, helping to foster partnerships and investments that improve circularity and prevent waste.” Access the database at icis.com/explore/services/ recycling-supply-tracker

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| ingredients and blending |

A practical example of a PAT-enabled automated process control framework to optimise blending consists of a batch blender equipped with a near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer on its lid that communicates to a PAT knowledge manager platform. Products shown in the photo are synTQ, v-Blender and VIAVI PAT-W spectrometer

Deliver high-quality solids – without any mix-up Ever present in the chemical processing industry (CPI), solid mixing and blending are among the most crucial operations that influence end product quality. By avoiding under- and over-processing, manufacturers can deliver superior chemicals while optimising energy efficiency and cycle times. Stateof-the-art automated solutions are important for the optimisation of mixing and blending while offering a quick return on investment (ROI). Martin Gadsby, Director at Optimal Industrial Automation, looks at how automation can lead to highly profitable solid mixing and blending processes.

he mixing and blending of divided solids, i.e. particulate, granular and powdered materials, are essential steps in many chemical manufacturing and processing plants. They are key to reducing inhomogeneities in composition and ultimately, delivering high-quality products. They are also particularly complex, making it exceptionally challenging for businesses to gain the in-depth understanding of their mixing and blending processes that can help to define optimum process conditions.

In addition, traditional inspection techniques that rely on thief sampling have numerous drawbacks that prevent large scale adoption. Firstly, these off-line methods are labour-intensive and lead to downtime, as there is often a long delay from when the blenders/mixers are stopped to the time the uniformity results are received, ultimately increasing the overall cycle time. Furthermore, thief sampling is difficult to reproduce and often the act of collecting some product may cause sample inhomogeneity,

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| ingredients and blending |

A PAT knowledge manager platform, such as synTQ, is able to determine blend uniformity. When the process is deemed to be complete, it is automatically stopped leading to result bias. Finally, such methods can expose operators to potentially hazardous chemicals and fine particles. As a result, the CPI often relies on pre-defined processing conditions. As under-processing cannot overcome the heterogeneities within a batch, affecting end product quality, many manufacturers tend to pre-set parameters that favour over-processing. However, this leads to increased cycle times, energy usage and productions costs, while still compromising quality. Particle attrition, segregation and heating can also occur. Moreover, this conventional approach cannot address the inevitable variations in the raw materials that are used.

MOVING TOWARDS RESPONSIVE, REAL-TIME CONTROL In order to consistently deliver products that meet the necessary specifications while maintaining highly efficient process conditions, the CPI requires accurate, real-time process control that is able to measure homogeneity in real time. This can be achieved by leveraging smart, Process Analytical Technology (PAT) enabled automation, which can be a key technology in the digital transformation of any business. More precisely, intelligent blending and mixing operations are able to utilise real-time, closed-loop feedback control that reacts appropriately throughout the blending process. Also, it can take into account any changes in the raw materials’ critical quality attributes (CQAs), such as particle size distribution, morphology or moisture content to maintain the optimal blend/mix and content uniformity. This is achieved by making real-time, non-destructive uniformity measurements via sophisticated, integrated (typically spectral) instrumentation, therefore eliminating any downtime associated with off-line analysis. The results from these measurements are directly fed to software that either simply displays the changing spectra, or utilises predictive models to determine whether the automated system should continue or stop blending, to achieve products of consistent, high quality. As a result, both under- and over-processing can be avoided, optimising production times, time-to-market and energy usage while minimising waste and reworks. In practice, studies have suggested cycle time reductions of up to 35%.

AUTOMATED BLENDING CONTROL IN PRACTICE A practical example of such a PAT-enabled automated process control framework consists of a batch blender equipped with a near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer on its lid. This analysis technique is ideal, as it is extremely fast, highly reproducible, non-invasive and requires no sample preparation. Every time a cycle is completed, the acquisition of a NIR spectrum is triggered. Similar technology can also be used in continuous blenders. The instrument communicates the obtained spectral data to a PAT knowledge manager platform, such as synTQ. This is able to process the data and determine blend uniformity in a myriad of ways. Typically, in the case of a batch blender, the variability of a spectra (or certain points within that spectra) are measured and, as the variability decays to within an acceptably consistent range (using a technique such as moving block standard deviation or “F” test), then the process is deemed to be complete and it is automatically stopped. In the case of continuous blending, a prediction model is often used, which is generated using Multivariate Analysis (MVA) techniques. By manipulating the process parameters, the real-time blend uniformity prediction can be maintained within its ‘sweet spot’.

MORE THAN AUTOMATED TESTING Besides controlling the process, a solution such as synTQ also provides full data integrity. In effect, it automatically stores all key data to ensure full traceability of all input and derived data as well as instrument settings, in line with current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) guidelines as well as regulations on electronic records. In order to fully leverage the benefits of computerised mixing/blending and real-time control, chemical manufacturers should partner with an automation system integration specialist with extensive experience in the CPI, such as Optimal. This collaboration can help businesses to identify key opportunities as well as delivering bespoke, application-specific setups that lead to quick, valuable ROI and ultimately enhance the company’s competitiveness in the marketplace.

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| ras |

Making Changes at COMAH Sites – How Significant is Significant? There is a lot to think about when making a change at any establishment. Whether those changes affect people, plant, or process, it is imperative that the knock-on effects are identified and suitably managed. This is especially true for COMAH establishments where the stakes are even higher. There is a requirement set out in the COMAH Regulations to notify the Competent Authority (CA) of “any modification of the establishment or an installation which could have significant consequences in terms of major accident hazards”. Significant is a key word here, but it is such a subjective term. How can we make sure we are comfortable when we decide what is, and what isn’t, significant? In most cases, a review of the risk assessment is an obvious place to start – if there is an increase in risk, then the change is significant. If the risk stays the same, or is lower, then we don’t need to worry, right? Well not necessarily. The regs talk about consequences in terms of major accident hazards, not just the risk, so we need to look at the full picture, including how the change might impact on how we prevent, control and mitigate the consequences of our hazards. Our sites are complex systems, and when one component changes, it will inevitably cause a ripple effect that reaches several other components; nothing can happen in isolation in our systems. For example, an upgrade to a piece of equipment out on plant might require changes to the control system, new maintenance schedules and training for those working with it. A change in organisational structure might take vital knowledge and experience from a team, and impact on task management and workload. It is clear that a systematic approach is needed to fully understand the magnitude of the change in relation to major accident hazards.

make for a really robust management of change process by highlighting which of our system components are sensitive to the change, both negatively and positively. Using the COMAH Safety Report in this way is a good excuse to keep it updated and fresh, even where it is found that the change isn’t significant enough to notify the Competent Authority. We put a lot of resource and effort into producing our Safety Reports, so why not make the most of that by using them as a map to help us understand, communicate and navigate our complex systems? Of course, it is better to let the Competent Authority know about your change in any case, but being prepared to outline why it is, or isn’t, significant will provide a strong demonstration that the risks at the establishment are well understood and managed. Making a change at a COMAH establishment can be daunting. There is a lot at stake if the impacts of the change aren’t identified, and with such complex systems it is difficult to know where to start. COMAH establishments already have a valuable tool at their disposal, the Safety Report. Using the report as a framework for identifying system components not only keeps the report itself live, but it ensures that the approach to change management is comprehensive and robust. Jenny Hill and Carolyn Nicholls enquiries@ras.ltd.uk

A useful tool for taking a systematic approach is the COMAH Safety Report. The Safety Report is a tool for demonstrating that risks are understood and managed, and so it should already describe all of the elements of the system that are in place to prevent, control and mitigate the consequences of hazards. Using the report as a framework can therefore

RAS RISK & HAZARD MANAGEMENT

Understanding and facilitating the effective management of risk is our core business. Our expertise covers the full range of risk assessment and management services.

Safety Risk

Business Risk

Environment Risk

Only when the risk facing an organisation is well understood can it be effectively managed. Key to the successful identification, assessment and management of risk is engagement with the right people, using the right processes at the right time. We believe we are different to many of our competitors and our approach is distinctive, we don’t always walk the well-trodden path but look at each client’s particular risk context and develop a tailored solution, working in partnership with our client. We work across all aspects of risk, from Quantitative Risk Assessments and Predictive & Consequence modelling, through to the ‘softer’ risks which may affect an organisation’s reputation.

Cogent assured providers – Process Safety Management for Operations (PSMO)

+44 (0) 1244 674 612

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enquiries@ras.ltd.uk

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www.ras.ltd.uk

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| hazard risk management |

Building resilience: now is the time to invest in natural hazard risk management With extreme weather events growing in frequency globally, Chris LeBoeuf, Senior Director of Engineering at ABS Group, details how the chemical industry – including UK-based businesses – can do more to protect their assets and mitigate some of the risks posed by natural hazards.

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| hazard risk management |

rom raging wildfires in Australia in 2020 to the devastating flash flooding across much of Europe this summer, recent years have been scattered with natural hazard events that have destroyed property and infrastructure, devastated businesses and taken lives. In the US, Hurricane Ida brought back painful memories to New Orleans, a city which is still rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina caused $125 billion of damage back in 2005. Unfortunately, natural disasters such as hurricanes, cyclones, storms, floods and wildfires are occurring more often and with greater severity. This can be viewed in terms of economic cost increasing over time. The Asia Pacific region tells a similar story. Here, average annual disaster event-induced economic losses between 2000 and 2009 stood at $56.7 billion – and for 2010-2019, that figure more than doubled to $117.9 billion. The Tohoku Earthquake which struck Japan in 2011 is largely responsible for this, but even when removing 2011 from the period, the nine remaining years average out at $89.1 billion in annual natural disaster damage. In the US, meanwhile, the ten-year average annual cost of natural disaster events exceeding $1 billion increased more than fourfold between the 1980s ($18.4 billion) and the 2010s ($84.5 billion) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters, 2021. Such has been the impact of growing and more severe weather events, the magnitude of the 100year and 500-year flood has undergone revision in Houston, a significant development that experts are keeping a close eye on.

COUNTING THE COST These concerning figures translate into a multitude of damages encountered by organisations that operate across a variety of industries, which notably include chemicals, petrochemical, energy, technology and other industrial sectors with large and highly valuable infrastructure bases. Unplanned outages and economic losses from production downtime are major consequences of the disruption caused by extreme weather events. Beyond this, there are many secondary and tertiary social and environmental impacts that stem from the primary damage done to these businesses. But why are chemical and power plants particularly prone to natural disaster events? Geography plays a critical role here. For instance, many petrochemical facilities are strategically located close to coastal and inland waterways to enable easy transportation of goods in and out of their sites. However, this makes them especially susceptible to hurricane and flood risks. In the US, many plants and industrial sites are located near the Gulf Coast, Atlantic Coast and Mississippi River. Earthquakes are another risk factor, primarily in the western states and other regions near fault lines. Key risk areas in Europe include sites along rivers and coasts, including those in regions which are at or only slightly above sea level. COP26 has created a greater sense of urgency about climate targets, but enterprises should not wait for more comprehensive legislation and regulation to prompt them into action. In many regions around the world, there are little or no regulatory drivers aimed at industrial facilities that

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| hazard risk management |

require them to withstand extreme weather events. The onus currently is on organizations to determine any natural hazard risk management strategy, and given the growing frequency of these incidents, the time to act is now.

HOW TO APPROACH NATURAL HAZARD RISK MANAGEMENT The extent and nature of such action is largely dependent on each individual business’s appetite for risk – in other words, the extent to which your business is prepared to deal with disruptions caused by extreme weather. Direct concerns may include the reliability and resilience of your organization’s equipment, facilities to provide worker safety and reduced unplanned outages. However, it is also important to bear in mind that physical damage to buildings and equipment represents only the initial source of financial loss. Resultant business disruption and market displacement can also hit revenue figures hard, depending on the severity of the natural hazard in question. Concerns here can center around storing materials and disruption to feedstock supply, transportation availability and access, and cost and availability of energy.

TO HELP QUANTIFY SOME OF THESE RISKS, ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD CONSIDER A RANGE OF FACTORS. What amount of revenue will be lost if I have to shut down my facility for an extended period of time? Can additional understanding of the risks help my company to manage our operations? Will improvements to preparedness and response reduce direct damage and limit revenue loss following an extreme weather event? Getting to grips with these questions is a good place to start, the answers to which may prompt a series of potential mitigation measures. Facility hardening, enhanced preparedness and response planning, and organizational measures to limit the impact of any single extreme event are among the risk mitigating steps companies can take, along with acquiring insurance policies. Another option is to leverage the engineering and risk management expertise of third parties. Independent risk assessments and audits can serve as vital tools in quantifying actual risks, with engineering-based studies revolved around rigorous site-specific technical assessments enabling facilities to measure their exposure to numerous natural hazards. This can carry advantages over advice and subsequent cover offered by insurance firms, which may not offer this level of rigorous evaluation and technical understanding. Regardless of what approach is taken, we advise companies to build risk into their cost of business and plan for a certain degree of extreme weather disruption every year. Knowledge sharing is crucial if organisations with assets prone to natural hazard risk are to futureproof themselves effectively, and we will continue to publish fresh insights and share our learnings gained from being on the ground with clients. In the UK, for example, we have produced a conference paper to share with participants of Hazards31, a virtual event taking place in mid-November that focuses on issues around process safety. Here, flooding is the most frequent and damaging natural hazard, the risk of which is growing due to climate change and increasing regularity of extreme weather events. To

Chris LeBoeuf, Senior Director of Engineering at ABS Group

Independent risk assessments and audits can serve as vital tools in quantifying actual risks, with engineering-based studies revolved around rigorous site-specific technical assessments enabling facilities to measure their exposure to numerous natural hazards. This can carry advantages over advice and subsequent cover offered by insurance firms, which may not offer this level of rigorous evaluation and technical understanding. help organisations understand and prepare for these risks, our conference paper looks at vital lessons learned through the years, and how to navigate the UK’s Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regulations. ABS Group offers a free toolkit at abs-group.com/ Knowledge-Center/Knowledge-Toolkits/NaturalHazards-Risk-Management-Toolkit. Compiled by ABS Group’s Process Safety and Extreme Loads and Structural Risk teams, it offers insights and resources to assist industrial facilities in reducing their exposure to natural and man-made hazards.

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Find out more about how we can help improve your performance safetyadvisoryeu@slrconsulting.com

www.slrconsulting.com

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| news |

BASF CEO tops global ranking BASF CEO Dr Martin Brudermuller has received the ICIS CEO of the Year Award at the virtual ICIS Power Players Awards event. The ICIS CEO of the Year Award is unique in that the winner is selected by his/her peers – the senior executives of the ICIS Top 40 Power Players listing – a global ranking of the leaders making the greatest positive impact on their companies and the chemicals industry, and published in ICIS Chemical Business. “The 2021 ICIS Power Players Awards brings together the best and brightest from across the globe to celebrate leadership shaping our industry at such an important time, and recognise individual achievement at the highest level,” said Dean Curtis, CEO of ICIS. “I accept this award with humbleness as it comes from my colleagues in the chemical industry who I highly appreciate. This makes the award very special for me, and it belongs entirely to the BASF team. We create chemistry for a sustainable future, and this truly is a team effort,” said BASF CEO Martin Brudermuller at the event. “I am proud that the BASF team is committed to reduce our carbon emissions quite fast and drastically. We can master these challenges as companies, but also as the chemical industry as a whole. And as leaders, we have the responsibility to make bold decisions and set the right path to a more sustainable future for all of us,” he added.

Dr Martin Brudermuller ICIS also announced the winners of two new awards – Saori Dubourg, member of the board of executive directors at BASF, for the ICIS Sustainability Leader Award, and Conrad Keijzer, CEO of Clariant, for the ICIS Emerging Leader Award.

The Rotronic Universal Monitoring System – RMS

Monitoring environmental conditions in any industry requires a fully integrated continuous monitoring system. The modular Rotronic Monitoring System – RMS is the perfect solution. It provides installation flexibility and full data availability, anywhere, and on a variety of devices. Rotronic can meet all your requirements, incorporating multiple sensors for parameters on a secure network. We can service the entire system. www.rotronic.co.uk/rms ROTRONIC Instruments (UK) Ltd, Crompton Fields, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9EE T: 01293 571000, instruments@rotronic.co.uk

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| rotronic |

CLOUD BASED ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AT ITS BEST When it comes to the environmental monitoring of laboratories, cleanrooms, production lines and storage facilities, quick and easy access to crucial data is key. Whether they are assets within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, cosmetic, food industries or R&D facilities the basic prerequisites are the same – the need for a flexible and accessible system that can be completely trusted. And reliability is the cornerstone of the Rotronic Monitoring System (RMS). A modular system of hardware and web-based software, it affords tailor-made solutions - it can either be supplied as a complete package or selected elements integrated with clients’ existing hardware or software. RMS is FDA 21CFR part 11 compliant, GAMP 5 and the software is rated category 4. RMS is arguably one of the most flexible monitoring systems available on the market today, its configuration possibilities range from a small application with a single measurement point to the most comprehensive of systems with hundreds of measurement points. The latest RMS loggers are used to monitor temperature, humidity, CO2, a wide range of other gases and differential pressure. Any parameter devices with an analogue output can be integrated. RMS is suited to many applications, including: Storage monitoring

As such, it provides the building blocks for a simple, unified system light years ahead of the fragmented monitoring approaches so often found in many companies. In contrast to the latter, which can lead to piecemeal monitoring and gaps in data, the Rotronic Monitoring System is extremely reliable and provides alarms when users’ defined limits are breached.

Indoor air quality in buildings, hospitals and work places

Alerts are sent out via email, SMS and recorded message, ensuring staff react to critical events.

Environmental chamber and product stability monitoring

The data they are presented with is clear and immutable, and therefore a reliable record of activity.

Cleanrooms in R&D and production

The system will also dispatch full reports autonomously to the appropriate personnel.

Calibration laboratory monitoring Data integrity is of paramount importance, of course, and loggers have a two to three-year battery life. On battery replacement, any offline data will be automatically backfilled as soon as a connection is re-established. The data transmitted (either wirelessly or via LAN/local area network) is then held very securely, while at the same time being readily available to authorised users, regardless of whether they access it via a PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone. Manufactured by Rotronic AG in Switzerland, the cloud -based monitoring system has been designed, in the company’s own words, to be as “hassle-free” as possible.

At the heart of the system is a cloud-based software managed by Rotronic, thereby ensuring complete data integrity. End users access their particular system via a secure website. The Rotronic Monitoring System is already used by some of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world, vouchsafing production lines and storage facilities in which clear and consistent data is critical. The modular design means it can be tailored to fit businesses of any size, big or small. Indeed, the simplicity of the solution can come as a godsend to the smallest of enterprises, helping it to protect its professional standing and hard-won reputation. Now, with its latest pre-configured RMS product bundles, Rotronic has made it even easier still. With what might be described as a solution in a box, the hardware is configured to the client’s needs pre-delivery, so that upon receipt, all they have to do is connect the Rotronic Ethernet gateway to their own network and allow the data loggers to do the rest. For further information about the Rotronic Monitoring System and the different packages available, please contact: instruments@rotronic.co.uk

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| hazardous industries |

Chemical sites: 12 pain points for safety, productivity and efficiency When it comes to operating in an environment where an explosion, fire or other hazardous incidents can occur, critical communication is something you can’t take for granted. But in an environment where mobile phones are a no-go, physical structures create coverage challenges, and workers are located across a vast amount of space and locations, it can be a tough task to get right. Here we highlight some of the most common pain points businesses and workers face in an ATEX environment – and how the following solutions will benefit your business from a safety, productivity, and efficiency perspective.

Safety Pain point – having the right device for an ATEX environment Much like a mobile phone, having the right device for the end user is essential. Whilst having the ability to use a smartphone on-site would be handy for most, it’s not a viable solution in an ATEX environment. Solution – use ATEX approved hardware With advanced ergonomics, ATEX certified two-way radios can withstand being dropped, and are built for different gas protection and dust protection zones. You can use an ATEX Non-Keypad or Full Keypad device for a range of safety features, large, easy to press buttons – handy for workers wearing gloves – and integrated GPS for location tracking.

Heavy-duty headsets can also be used in noisy environments, giving workers the ability to consistently make and receive radio calls without background noises impacting their work. Pain point – keeping workers safe at all times The safety of workers, especially those working in an isolated setting, is paramount for any business. If someone falls, suffers a serious injury or health problem – how do you get there in good time or know to even react to an incident in the first place? It’s estimated that the cost of injuries and ill health from working conditions in the UK is a staggering £16.2 billion. According to a recent Labour Force Survey, 693,000 non-fatal injuries are sustained by workers, and from that, 168,000 of them resulted in injuries with over seven days absence.

The latest radios also have batteries that can last throughout a working shift.

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| hazardous industries |

Solution – use personal safety features With no mobile phone to turn to, the device a worker uses must be a potentially lifesaving tool. ATEX radios are equipped with emergency features like Lone Worker, Man Down and Panic Button. Lone Worker – features an emergency alarm that can be activated to alert others and worker whereabouts can be tracked with GPS. Man Down – features an integrated accelerometer that senses when a user has fallen or not moved for a set period. Panic Button – features an emergency button that requires one touch to alert others of a serious problem. Pain point – having good coverage across site(s) Having good coverage sounds like a simple task, but when you factor in ‘blind spots’, blast-proof buildings made from dense steel, underground storage facilities, multi-storey structures, and the need to communicate across multiple sites, suddenly you have a list of obstacles to overcome. The UK’s largest refinery and chemical manufacturing site is set across approximately 142 million square feet. That’s nearly twice the size of Gibraltar. And in 2020, 6.5 billion minutes’ worth of business calls were made – highlighting the importance of good coverage.

Solution – a seamless network infrastructure To ensure you experience secure and uninterrupted coverage that helps keep people safe, a seamless network infrastructure must be in place – one that can combat physical obstacles and virtual ones like channel interference. Setting up a seamless network infrastructure can be a complex process, that’s why having a team of experts who can advise you on the best solution for your business is crucial. Pain point – sending alarm notifications to workers on-site Ensuring alarm notifications, and general plant updates, are sent to all workers without delay can feel like an impossible task without a smart, intuitive solution to rely on. On top of the estimated costs of workplace injuries, statistics show that the Health and Safety Executive prosecuted 325 cases last year for failing to keep people safe. There were also 14 fatalities where a worker had come into contact with machinery. Solution – Use Extended Alarm Management With a solution known as Extended Alarm Management, you can connect all devices to an integrated DCS system that will send daily task reminders, location triggered alarms and alerts via SMS and email – enabling teams to respond rapidly. You can also integrate critical machinery and site alarms – so you know exactly when machinery has gone down or needs attention.

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| hazardous industries |

Productivity

a time-consuming process to get messages to them one-byone, especially if they convey critical updates.

Pain point – upgrading a paper-based workflow system From a productivity point of view, it’s important to have a workflow system that can capture job tasks, monitor progress, and alert workers to dates and deadlines. But if processes are relying on paper, it can be a tricky situation to be in.

Solution – use text messaging ATEX Full Keypad Radios have the capability to receive both text messages and emails direct to the device – from sources like a tablet or desktop computer. This helps to provide end users with critical updates in a timely fashion without the need to constantly pick up the phone.

Solution – use Job Ticketing software With Job Ticketing software, you can create and monitor tasks, keep an itemised log, set due dates and times, and send out notifications when a task is ready to be set or complete.

Whilst ATEX Non-Keypad Radios don’t contain a digital screen, you can still send text messages to these devices, with a handy Text-to-Speech feature.

Pain point – how do we contact people off-site? From a productivity perspective, the need to for everyone within a business to stay connected is crucial. If someone can’t do their job because they can’t get through to someone off-site, or vice versa, then it’s a problem that needs fixing. Solution – use Telephone Interconnect The solution to the problem is Telephone Interconnect. The software essentially turns a radio into a mobile phone as it allows workers, who use intrinsically safe radios, to make calls to mobile phones and telephones that are located offsite and part of the same network. Pain point – how do we operate machinery and a radio at once? Operating machinery or working on equipment, whilst using a two-way radio, can be a stop-start process if you need to press buttons to speak. Solution – use VOX (Voice Activated Communications) When work requires a hands-on approach, use VOX (Voice Activated Communications) to respond to requests using a hands-free compatible headset. This means you can carry on with other tasks whilst talking. Pain point – workers keeping a radio on their belt and still talking It’s common for workers to carry around multiple tools with them by attaching them to a secure belt. But how do you carry a radio around and use it without having to constantly detach and re-attach it? Solution – use a remote speaker microphone When it comes to having quick access to Push-to-Talk applications on your radio, without having to spend time readjusting a belt, a remote speaker microphone is the perfect solution.

Pain point – programming radios without any issues Much like purchasing a mobile phone, it’s important to ensure radios are programmed correctly and working to their full potential. But when you’re not familiar with all the buttons and features, it may feel like a daunting thing to get right. Solution – choose over the air programming Over the air programming is something that continues to boom in popularity. You’ll find it being used to programme and Tesla’s in-car software and features, and you’ll also find it being used to update the software and features of ATEX two-way radios. Using remote monitoring facilities changes and upgrades can be made to individual radios, without the need to visit various site locations. All changes are made instantly, helping to reduce costs and the time taken to programme your devices. Pain point – managing systems without them failing The internal management of voice and data systems can feel like an overwhelming prospect, especially if systems fail or need urgent attention. Solution – choose comprehensive support services Opting for a solution and service that provides end-toend management of system failures, on-site support for system issues, capacity and coverage optimisation, disaster recovery planning will put you on the right path for achieving business success from a two-way communication perspective. Eemits Communications are specialists in digital two-way radio solutions and work across chemical manufacturing, transforming site safety, productivity, and efficiency in the process. eemits.co.uk

Slimline in build, they include a long-lasting battery and technology that provides clear, effective audio, meaning productivity doesn’t ever suffer.

Efficiency Pain point – hearing each other in a noisy environment Like any conversation between multiple users, being able to hear each other is essential. But life on a site where noise is consistently loud, it can become a real source of frustration, especially when workers must wait for quiet times to communicate. Solution – Use Intelligent Audio to be heard loud and clear Intelligent Audio is the ideal solution for loud and clear critical communication. The feature allows the noise of the radio to be automatically adjusted in line with fluctuating background noises. Pain point – getting messages out to workers at speed When you have multiple workers on multiple sites, it can be

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| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| dachser |

DACHSER Chem Logistics: Chemicals in safe hands The chemical industry is one of the most successful and competitive industries, supplying virtually all other sectors with crucial intermediate and end products. This supply is only made possible by high production standards, comprehensive infrastructure, and tailored logistics with a clear focus on reliability, quality, and safety. Chemistry and progress form an exceedingly stable bond. The idea of using chemistry to change something for the better is even in the etymology of the word “chemistry”. The ancient Greek word derived from chēmeía, meaning “the transformation of metal,” or alloying. Over the millennia, science has undergone its own kind of transformation. Whereas early alchemists were primarily interested in producing gold, later scientists turned to examine the properties of the elements and compounds, an activity providing much deeper insights. From clothing fibres to detergents, fertilisers, paints, plastics, and adhesives: chemistry shapes every aspect of our life and work like no other industry. With its diverse processing and manufacturing activities, the chemical sector is one of the most competitive and successful industries in Europe. According to the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), the chemical industry in Europe, which employs over 1.1 million people, and generated EUR 543 billion in sales in 2019 is more than a key driver of prosperity. As the second-largest producer after China, it also plays a fundamental role in driving innovation within other industries. Indeed, it invests more than EUR 10 billion (2019 figure) annually in research and development. According to Statista.com, the 3,600 plus UK chemical companies employed over 152,000 people and generated an annual revenue of EUR62.8 billion in 2019. In trading terms,

last year, the value of chemical exports from the country reached USD62.7 billion, nearly in balance with imports at USD64.4 billion. Clearly, the movement of chemical goods plays a significant role in the national economy.

ALL SIGNS POINT TO CONTINUING GROWTH Chemical research centres, factories, and logistics chains are interwoven across the continent, constantly coming up with new ideas and innovative materials for products that contributes to our hygiene, safety, comfort, and enjoyment in a whole variety of different ways. “All signs point to continuing growth in the chemical industry, largely driven by ongoing innovation and diversification in materials and components in the manufacturing and construction sectors as well as in consumer goods,” says Michael Kriegel, Department Head DACHSER Chem Logistics. “Logistics solutions tailored to the specific needs of the chemical industry give UK companies certainty that they can plan on having secure access to European and global markets at all times.”

A BESPOKE INDUSTRY SOLUTION DACHSER has built up decades of experience, as well as a tightly-knit transport and warehouse network for packaged chemical products. “Our DACHSER Chem Logistics global

IN 2020, DACHSER CHEM LOGISTICS HANDLED AROUND 4 MILLION SHIPMENTS WEIGHING 3.4 MILLION METRIC TONNES, INCLUDING 1.25 MILLION DANGEROUS GOODS SHIPMENTS WEIGHING 457,000 METRIC TONNES.

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| dachser |

industry solution, which we launched in 2007, combines the standardised network services of one of Europe’s largest groupage logistics providers, with specific, tailored chemical logistics expertise,” Kriegel explains. “Put in chemistry terms, DACHSER want to create the perfect compound solution for their customers.” In 2020, DACHSER Chem Logistics handled around 4 million shipments weighing 3.4 million metric tonnes, including 1.25 million dangerous goods shipments weighing 457,000 metric tonnes. With its global land, air, and sea freight transport network, the logistics service provider embodies process reliability with its defined procedures, reliable transit times, and the capacity it offers. Furthermore, its quality and safety standards far exceed the legal requirements; DACHSER has been a trusted partner of the VCI for forwarding services by road, air, and sea since 2009.

ACCESS TO ALL WORLDWIDE SALES AND PROCUREMENT MARKETS DACHSER has its own transport network with daily services to and from the UK, connecting with locations throughout Europe, the CIS states, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East—with uniform logistics standards governing all operations. Through its direct transports, platforms, and hub solutions, DACHSER minimises the handling of sensitive chemical goods, which categorically enhances both safety and process quality when dealing with chemical products. DACHSER can put together an attractive, comprehensive package for chemical customers. A specially designed integrated logistics solution was created, in collaboration with DACHSER Contract Logistics, safely storing chemical products within warehouses. For its part, DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics can provide a one-stop-shop with fast and flexible access to all worldwide sales and procurement markets. Holistic, industry-specific logistics concepts are an essential pillar of the DACHSER Chem Logistics strategy for success. All transports are handled in the network using efficient, IT-based route planning and uniform standards. The entargo product family has the right solution for every transport requirement. The experts at DACHSER also advise customers within the chemical industry on storage, site optimisation, and industry-specific warehousing and stock withdrawal strategies.

EFFICIENT SYSTEMS AND HIGH-QUALITY DATA IT underpins the efficiency of the European and global logistics network. Thanks to standardised, globally connected systems, efficient processes and high-quality data at all times are assured. DACHSER plays a pivotal role with its integrated core transport and warehouse management systems: the EDI Centre as a central communication platform, the eLogistics web portal, and the ActiveReport supply chain management tool. Data security for these systems is certified according to ISO 27001.

All signs point to continuing growth in the chemical industry, largely driven by ongoing innovation and diversification in materials and components in the manufacturing and construction sectors as well as in consumer goods. Michael Kriegel, Department Head DACHSER Chem Logistics

SAFETY FIRST Safety is always the top priority at DACHSER. This is reflected in the automated application of all global dangerous goods regulations, the consistent availability and use of load-securing equipment, mandatory vehicle and loading inspections in addition to DGR checks (following the dangerous goods regulations for air transport). Further examples are; the provision of rescue equipment and personal protective clothing and equipment, plus consulting on packaging and loading specifically for dangerous goods.

PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE The correct handling of dangerous goods calls for highly trained specialists along the entire logistics chain. Mandatory standards applicable to everyone involved are also a must. To this end, in its central dangerous goods management system for Road Logistics and Air & Sea Logistics, DACHSER has established standardised, internal regulations with defined transport exclusions and risk assessments. DACHSER has more than 250 regional dangerous goods safety advisors, who conduct regular internal and external training for over 15,800 employees worldwide each year. The aim is to ensure in-house expertise in handling dangerous substances thanks to specially trained employees and industry experts. A clear reflection of this is that DACHSER’s 24 European locations received positive SQAS (Safety & Quality Assessment for Sustainability) evaluations for their performance based on Cefic’s “Transport Service” and “Warehouse” assessment questionnaires. The SQAS assessment provides a statement of facts attesting to the performance of safety, health, environmental, and quality management systems. With this proactive quality monitoring by neutral assessors, customers can be assured of the highest performance standards continuously. DACHSER is constantly creating a reaction to prompt changes, a philosophy that is fully in line with the essence of chemistry. It’s not always comfortable, but as the great physicist and chemist Marie Curie was well aware: “One never notices what has been done, one can only see what remains to be done.” On the other hand, that is precisely how you prepare for the future. dachser.co.uk

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| news |

The carbon element – the good, the bad and the ugly The European Chemistry Society’s Element Scarcity Periodic Table has been updated to reflect the significance of carbon in the wake of COP26. The table organises all discovered chemical elements to allow scientists to quickly refer to an element’s properties such as its atomic mass and chemical symbol. The European Chemical Society (EuChemS) has released an updated version of its Periodic Table, first produced for the International Year of the Periodic Table in 2019. That version highlighted element availability and vulnerability and was created by a task group chaired by former President of the Society, University of St Andrews Professor of Chemistry, Professor David Cole-Hamilton. The new updated version highlights the problems of carbon today. Usually green, carbon features in the new table as a tricolour of green, red and grey which each represent a separate attribute of carbon. The green represents the plentifulness of carbon in the form of carbon dioxide, carbonate rocks and vegetation; red represents that this plentifulness will cause serious problems if nothing is done to restrict its use; and grey reflects the fact that carbon resources, especially oil, can emanate from conflict resources such as from countries at war over oilfields or where oil revenues are used to fight wars.

Professor David Cole-Hamilton said: “This updated version of the Periodic Table graphically highlights the problems of carbon in our world now. “If we behave responsibly by cutting our dependence on fossil fuels and never using them from conflict resources, we can save our beautiful and diverse planet and restore carbon to its rightful green colour.” The carbon cycle balances photosynthesis, by which plants grow taking up carbon dioxide (CO2), with respiration (breathing) by which humans and all flora and fauna live and give out CO2. For millennia these two processes, compounded by CO2 absorption and release by the oceans, have been in balance justifying the benign green colour given to carbon in the 2019 Periodic Table. Burning carbon-based fuels (coal, oil, gas) pumps so much extra CO2 into the air that photosynthesis and the oceans can’t keep up, causing CO2 levels to rise leading to global warming and climate change that will cause severe disruption to all forms of life on the planet in very much fewer than 100 years if humanity does nothing, hence the red colour. The grey colour arises because, although most coal, oil and gas extraction is untainted by conflict, the proceeds of some oil sales are used to fund wars. The updated version of the EuChemS Periodic Table can be downloaded from bit.ly/euchems-pt

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The BCMPA is a Founder Supporter & Headline Sponsor of CHEMUK Come and visit the BCMPA and our exhibiting members at the NEC Birmingham next May

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| news |

Bio-based certified renewable amorphous polymer aims to support sustainability SABIC has launched a new portfolio of biobased ULTEM™ resins that offer sustainability benefits while delivering the same performance and processability as incumbent ULTEM materials. These breakthrough polyetherimide (PEI) materials are the first certified renewable high-performance, amorphous polymers available in the industry. Using a mass balance approach[1], for every 100 kg of ULTEM resin produced, SABIC replaces 25.5 kg of fossilbased feedstocks with bio-based materials derived from waste or residue, such as crude tall oil from the wood industry. This advanced offering is a drop-in material option for current ULTEM materials and can support customers’ sustainability goals for challenging applications in consumer electronics, aerospace, automotive, and other industries where high temperature, dimensional stability or demanding mechanical performance is required. SABIC spokesman Scott Fisher said: “Because these products perform in the same way and maintain the same regulatory listings – such as UL94 and FDA food contact – as traditional ULTEM resins, adjustments to product designs and manufacturing processes are not required. Also, customers can be confident about the environmental benefits of these materials, which have earned the ISCC+ designation. This portfolio is another innovative milestone in SABIC’s strategy of circularity for our material solutions.” SABIC’s bio-based ULTEM resins may reduce carbon footprint by up to 10 percent compared to fossil-based

incumbent grades, giving the material the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC+) designation. This conclusion was based on an internal evaluation that followed the general principles of life cycle analysis according to ISO 14040/14044 protocols[2]. SABIC used its own primary data, combined with the latest manufacturing data and industry average estimates. “The bio-based feedstocks used in the new ULTEM materials do not alter performance properties, which include long-term high-temperature performance, chemical resistance, excellent mechanical and structural properties, dimensional and hydrolytic stability, excellent processability and inherent flame retardance,” said Greg Stoddard, of SABIC. “With the same reliable mechanical properties as their fossil-based counterparts, bio-based ULTEM grades can be considered as an alternative material to traditional ULTEM resins or sulfone polymers such as PSU, PESU and PPSU.” Potential markets and example applications for these resins may include consumer electronics (wearables and mobile devices), automotive (under the hood (UTH) applications such as connectors, sensors and valves), aerospace (interiors including panels and trim), healthcare (surgical devices and sterilization trays), and electrical/electronics (5G networking infrastructure). To help fulfil the regulatory requirements of these industries, the new ULTEM materials offer compliance with global drinking water standards, Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR 25.853) and food contact according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). [1] iscc-system.org/about/circular-economy/mass-balance-approach [2] Evaluation passed an internal review that relies on SABIC protocols for LCA quality control

| CHEMICAL INDUSTRY JOURNAL |

| zoedale |

CHEMUK with Zoedale & OEM Automatic It was fulfilling for us to witness normality again at the CHEMUK exhibition this year. The NEC Birmingham had its buzz back, and the sound of a busy hall was a positive sign for Zoedale, who shared a stand with OEM Automatic Ltd. They showcased some of their most popular valves suitable for the chemical production market at this year’s event. Valve partner and manufacturer, Omal, flew in from Italy to be part of CHEMUK 2021. BENEFITS OF OEM AUTOMATIC AND ZOEDALE TOGETHER Broader range of products Combining Zoedales’ extensive range of valves and actuators with OEMs’ pressure and flow products results in better solutions and a wider, broader range of products for their customers. Bedford-based Zoedale was founded in 1976 and is a specialist in solenoid valves and valve actuators. Amongst others, Zoedale represents ASCO, Valpes, Omal, Bernard Controls and Peter Paul, which manufacture valves and actuators for various process and industrial applications. It is joining the OEM group to broaden its product offering and to continue to develop its expertise in the pressure and flow sector. Better technical advice Not only will both companies be offering more products to their customers, but they will also be utilising both companies’ expert technical advice in order to provide the best solutions for their customers applications. More stock availability OEM have a centrally located warehouse in Leicester, holding many products which are ready to go. Zoedale also stock their products in their facility in Bedfordshire. With both UK operations combined, we have the space to provide stock for you.

Overall, the turnout for CHEMUK 2021 was great. As well as all the interesting exhibition stands there was a range of informative and educational talks from industry experts too. Zoedale, OEM Automatic and Omal have enjoyed working alongside each other to provide clients with an extensive product offering.

OMAL AT CHEMUK

We look forward to exhibiting at the CHEMUK 2022 show!

OMAL designs and produces ball valves, butterfly valves, pneumatic valves, pneumatic and electric actuators for industrial sectors such as: foods, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, power and energy, naval and many others. They produce a range of specialist valves that are ideal for use in the chemical production market. These include the new KRATOS high-pressure valve range, Prochemie60 valves and coaxial and angle seat piston valves. All of which were available to view on the stand. “As well as the impressive Omal products, stand visitors had an interest in the Guth hygienic valves and our range of Bernard Controls and Valpes electric actuators.” - says Andrew Jakeman, Head of Technical at Zoedale. A few words from Omals’ Christian D’ella, export sales manager, about CHEMUK: “After a long period of absence from the international fairs due to covid 19, the CHEMUK fair was a pleasant surprise for me. In addition to the presence of international producers such as Omal Spa and English customers, I felt again the experience of the human contact in sales. Thanks again to OEM for their support in developing a great business together with Zoedale!” OEM Automatics’ pressure and flow representative, George Tyler, joined the stand to showcase a range of their hygienic pressure sensors and flow products suitable for the chemical production industry.

THE LATEST ZOEDALE BROCHURE IS AVAILABLE ONLINE Zoedale represents a large number of manufacturers of valves and actuators for various process and industrial applications. You’ll find them in their new brochure. It runs from process solenoid valves to specialist ones (Peter Paul, Magnatrol & Clark Cooper) and other specialist valves (Omal, Orbinox, Schischek) are also available. Pneumatic products include valves, cylinders and actuators, and air preparation equipment. Guth Ventile offer hygienic actuation and valve solutions. There is electric actuation from Bernard Controls and from Valpes, and a range of electrically actuated packages. Have a look at accessories and automation options from Topworx, Aventics, and Molex. Enquire to receive a hard copy of our brochure. For any products or application enquiries, please email enquiries@zoedale.co.uk.

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UvA scientists develop fully solar-driven autonomous chemical mini-plant 48

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| fine chemicals |

Professor Timothy Noël and co-workers in the Flow Chemistry group of the University of Amsterdam’s Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences have developed a fully operational standalone solar-powered mini-reactor which offers the potential for the production of fine chemicals in remote locations on Earth, and possibly even on Mars. In a paper published by ChemSusChem, the team present their unique, fully off-grid photochemistry system.

he new system, which is capable of synthesising drugs and other chemicals in economically relevant volumes, ‘shines in isolated environments and allows for the decentralisation of the production of fine chemicals,’ according to Professor Noël. ‘The mini-plant is based on the concept of photochemistry, using sunlight to directly ‘power’ the chemical synthesis. We employ a photocatalyst, a chemical species that drives the synthesis when illuminated,’ Noël continues. ‘Normally powerful LEDs or other lighting equipment are used for the illumination, but we choose to use sunlight. For starters, this renders the synthesis fully sustainable. But it also enables stand-alone operation in remote locations. Our dream is to see our system used at a base on the Moon or on Mars, where selfsustaining systems are needed to provide energy, food and medicine. Our mini-plant could contribute to this in a fully autonomous, independent way.’

A SOLAR-DRIVEN FLOW REACTOR Development of the mini-plant started around five years ago when the Noël research group - at the time based at Eindhoven University of Technology - developed a ‘solar concentrator’. This is essentially a sheet of transparent plastic with micrometre-sized channels in which the chemical synthesis takes place. By adding dedicated dyes, the researchers developed the plastic into a solar guide and luminescent convertor. It captures sunlight and directs it towards the channels, while converting a substantial part of the light into red photons that drive the chemical conversion. The next step was to turn the concentrator into a fully operational flow reactor. ‘This means we pump a reaction mixture of starting materials and photocatalyst through the sunlit channels,’ says Noël. ‘The desired chemical conversion takes places in these channels so that they are, in fact, our alternative to the traditional chemical synthesis flasks or vessels.’ Noël goes on to explain that even though the channels are quite tiny, such a ‘flow reactor’ can produce quite relevant outputs since it operates from sunrise to sunset in a continuous manner. ‘What’s more,’ he adds, ‘the use of channels allows for a far more effective coupling between light and chemistry than is possible when using traditional flask reactors.’

MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY The Noël research group had already demonstrated the solar flow reactor concept by synthesising a range of medicinally relevant molecules, albeit on a laboratory scale in a controlled environment. Now, in their recent paper in ChemSusChem, they describe how they developed a viable, optimally effective autonomous photosynthesis system and employed it in field tests. They also provide an outlook on aspects such as application potential and economic performance. The prototype solar flow reactor now covers an area of about 0.25 square metres. To make it fully autonomous, the researchers equipped it with a solar cell that provides

the power for auxiliaries such as pumps and the control system. This solar cell is placed behind the flow reactor in a stacked configuration that ensures maximum efficiency per square centimetre, according to Noël. ‘The more energetic wavelengths are used in the reactor to drive the photocatalyst. The remaining photons with wavelengths of 600-1100 nm are converted to electricity to drive the auxiliaries.’

WORLDWIDE APPLICATION POTENTIAL The fully autonomous prototype also employs a responsive control system that can optimise the chemical conversion at various light intensities. ‘When a cloud covers the sun the chemical conversion would normally decrease very rapidly,’ Noël says. ‘Our system is able to make the necessary adjustments in real time. Field tests confirmed that it is able to churn out chemicals at a constant rate even on days that are a mixture of sunny and cloudy.’ The tests were carried out in the Netherlands. To get an impression of the global deployment possibilities, comparisons were made using solar data at locations in Norway (North Cape), Spain (Almeria) and Australia (Townsville). Noël: ‘Even at the North Cape, with relatively little sun power, we estimate satisfactory production figures.’ The researchers also compared the performance of the prototype system with production figures for the wellknown photochemical synthesis of rose oxide. This product for the perfume industry is industrially produced by photochemical means because it is cleaner and more efficient than traditional chemical synthesis. The researchers calculated that a surprisingly small surface area would be required for their system to meet current annual demand - just 150 m2 would suffice. Noël: ‘That’s just one factory roof full of our mini-plants! The system cost would be similar to current commercial photosynthesis systems. But we only need solar energy so there are no energy expenditures. So this really could be a sustainable strategy for future production of chemicals such as rose oxide or pharmaceuticals.’

HAVE THE WALLS MAKE CHEMICALS Noël believes that his group’s research refutes any scepticism about the potential of solar-powered chemical technology: ‘We demonstrate that there are opportunities for solar-driven chemical production even here in the Netherlands. You don’t have to go to Qatar!’ What’s more, the system lends itself to application in unexpected locations. ‘You could even cover the facade of a building. Of course the output would then be smaller than when the system is placed at an optimal angle to the sun. But it certainly is possible - and how cool would it be to have the walls make chemicals!’ Tom Masson, Stefan Zondag, Koen Kuijpers, Dario Cambié, Michael Debije en Timothy Noël: ‘Development of an offgrid solar-powered autonomous chemical mini-plant for producing fine chemicals’, in: ChemSusChem, 14 October 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202102011

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Deploying transformative hydrogen technology at scale Cleanteach company Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies will deploy commercial systems into landmark hydrogen projects around the world, after a successful funding round. Hydrogenious’ LOHC technology provides a safe, low cost means of bulk hydrogen storage and transportation, establishing the critical link between supply and demand on a regional, national, and international level. Presently, global decarbonisation and the widespread growth of the hydrogen industry is constrained by the inability to safely and efficiently store and transport large volumes of hydrogen. Governments and businesses are searching for solutions which avoid significant investment into new storage, transport and liquification infrastructure, and limit risks associated with potentially toxic or dangerous alternatives. Hydrogenious’ Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) technology bonds hydrogen to a non-toxic, non-flammable liquid, making it suitable for safe, efficient transportation and distribution. As the hydrogen can then be stored and transported using existing fossil fuel infrastructure, it allows hydrogen to be generated and transported at scale. CEO and founder Dr Daniel Teichmann said: “There was tremendous demand for a stake in our company. This demonstrates that our proprietary Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier technology is recognized as the missing link for global deployment of sustainable hydrogen infrastructures. We are at the forefront of hydrogen technology, providing solutions for a rapid energy transition. “There is a strong conviction in the competitive positioning of our LOHC compared with other hydrogen carriers such as liquid hydrogen, compressed hydrogen and ammonia. Together with our existing and new partners we will make large-scale green hydrogen transport and supply a reality to decarbonize industry and mobility worldwide.”

Dr Daniel Teichmann, CEO and founder of Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies ©Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies GmbH

Accelerated R&D into sustainable crop protection products As global farming faces a double whammy of feeding a growing population while reducing environmental impact, BASF has partnered with drug discovery services company Vipergen to discover new active ingredients for sustainable crop protection products more efficiently and quickly. For the first time in the agricultural sector, the research collaboration uses a technology from Vipergen that has already been applied successfully in the search for pharmaceutical active ingredients. This new technology allows for the testing of novel chemical compounds on target proteins in living cells. Tests in cells lead to more accurate results compared to conventional methods, which use target proteins previously isolated from cells and purified in an elaborate process. Testing can be performed on several million compounds, looking at their uses in crop protection as well as their environmental impact, all in a single experiment and in considerably shorter time. Promising compounds can be easily identified through a specific DNA coding. This targeted research approach can

greatly accelerate the identification of new active ingredients. “The collaboration with Vipergen will complement our set of tools aimed at developing novel, world-class, sustainable crop protection solutions for a connected offer that will benefit farmers, consumers and the environment,” said Juergen Huff, Senior Vice President, Research and Development Crop Protection at BASF Agricultural Solutions. “Through Vipergen’s powerful technology, we aim to identify active ingredients for new crop protection products more efficiently. This helps to accelerate the development of new solutions that increase agricultural productivity and reduce environmental impacts.” “We are excited to partner with BASF to drive innovation for sustainable agriculture,” said Nils Hansen, Chief Executive Officer of Vipergen. “Applying our Cellular Binder Trap Enrichment® technology to screen DNA-encoded libraries in living cells will quickly provide high-quality hits that BASF can use to develop new sustainable crop protection products.”

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A Year of UK REACH: Challenges and Considerations for Businesses

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After nearly a year into the post-Brexit chemicals regulatory regime, the infrastructure to accommodate UK REACHi registrations has yet to run smoothly. As a result, importers and distributors of chemical substances are struggling to assess and fulfil their obligations. For those companies that have not completed their registrations or notifications—and even for those that believe the necessary steps have been accomplished—the end of the Downstream User Import Notification (DUIN) transitional deadline, updated functionality in the “Comply with UK REACH IT” (UK REACH IT) platform, and other developments make this an appropriate time to review obligations for compliance. By Raminta Dereskeviciute, Counsel, and Ludovica Rabitti, Associate, at law firm McDermott, Will & Emery

UK REACH TRANSITIONAL DEADLINES UK REACH transposes the same registration requirements as EU REACHii into UK law: any legal entity based in Great Britain (i.e., England, Scotland and Wales but excluding Northern Ireland) intending to manufacture in or import a substance into Great Britain at or above one tonne per year is required to submit a registration to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for said substance. UK REACH also included transitional provisions to help ensure the uninterrupted supply of chemical substances from the European Union and to allow businesses to adjust to the post-Brexit regulatory requirements. GB-based companies that held EU REACH registrations prior to Brexit were able to transfer such registrations to UK REACH by 30 April 2021, without having to pay a registration fee (a process known as “grandfathering”). Additionally, companies based in Great Britain that sourced chemical substances from EU suppliers as downstream users were able to submit a DUIN to HSE until 27 October 2021, in order to continue supplying substances from the European Union without having to register until 27 October 2023, 2025 or 2027 (depending on the tonnage band and hazard profile of the substance). The consensus from the industry is that the process for grandfathering EU REACH registrations and submitting DUINs has been straightforward. However, it is important to note that HSE did not scrutinize information provided in the DUINs before sending confirmation of receipt, nor has there been any compliance check with respect to grandfathered registrations. It is unclear whether HSE will examine compliance of grandfathered registrations and DUINs or take a more pragmatic approach with respect to enforcement in an event of non-compliance before 2023.

NEW REGISTRATIONS: ARTICLE 26 INQUIRY As both transitional deadlines have now passed, companies that were unable to grandfather their EU REACH registrations or could not rely on DUINs (such as EU exporters to Great Britain), or that have missed the DUIN deadline, will need to submit a new registration under UK REACH before substances can be imported to Great Britain or risk their products being held at the border. Only companies established in Great Britain are able to register under UK REACH. EU manufacturers can either appoint a GB-based only representative (OR) or establish a new GB-based entity. EU-based traders or distributors, however, cannot appoint an OR and, therefore, will need to establish a GB-based entity if they wish to register a substance under UK REACH. In addition to the usual considerations when establishing a new entity, EU importers or manufacturers establishing a new GB-based entity for the purpose of UK REACH compliance will also

need to address the issue of how ownership title passes throughout the supply chain and whether any commercial changes have to be made. The process for submitting new registrations is similar to that under EU REACH whereby the initial step is to submit an Article 26 inquiry. New registrants are required to prepare an IUCLID 6 dossier with basic information about the legal entity and substance they wish to register and upload it to UK REACH IT. The IUCLID software can be downloaded for free, however, it can be quite complex to navigate. Once submitted on UK REACH IT, the inquiry dossiers then proceed through two automated checks—the Business Rules Check and Technical Completeness Check—and then a completeness check by HSE. Once all checks are passed, new registrants are added to the relevant Substance Group (the equivalent of EU Substance Information Exchange Forums) and can proceed to the full registration. Article 26 inquiries as such do not entitle companies to import substances into Great Britain. They have to be followed by a new registration dossier containing information requirements relevant to their tonnage band and pay the required registration fee in order to be compliant with UK REACH. UK REACH registration fees for joint submissions are as follows:

Tonnage band

Fees for joint submission*

1-10

£1,138

10-100

£3,061

100-1,000

£8,185

>1,000

£22,064

*Reduced fees are available for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). New registrants may be unable to fulfil the information requirements if the Lead Registrant has not yet been selected and the lead dossier submitted. In such cases, once the Article 26 inquiry passes all the checks, HSE recommends that the company submits an IUCLID dossier, which contains a waiver in Section 13.2 (NRES data waiver) with the following language: “The registrant is a New Registrant of an Existing Substance (NRES). Full study data is not yet available as the lead registration has not yet been submitted. The registrant agrees to make every effort to negotiate with the other members of the Substance Group and will subsequently either provide the data themselves as lead registrant, or will become a member of the joint registration.” Companies should be aware that the verification process for Article 26 inquiries and for submitting new registration dossiers is not immediate—HSE has up to 10 working days

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to review inquiry dossiers. If there are any issues that may require the resubmission of the inquiry dossier, then the process can become fairly lengthy. Numerous entities have had their Article 26 inquiries fail the completeness check due to how the substance identity and composition was recorded in EU REACH IUCLID files, possibly because analytical information is no longer considered adequate or because dossiers submitted under EU REACH are outdated. Delays during the new registration process can result in a window of non-compliance where companies are unable to continue supplying chemicals to Great Britain. It is, therefore, essential that any company whose imports to Great Britain are not covered by a grandfathered registration or a DUIN starts the inquiry process immediately. Additionally, even where DUIN submissions are made, it is only a temporary solution to compliance, and GBdownstream users will also need to submit new registrations if they wish to continue importing substances after 27 October 2023, 2025 or 2027. As DUINs do not entitle a company to become part of a Substance Group, some companies may wish to commence their registration process sooner in order to be able to participate in data sharing discussions and Lead Registrant selection.

LEAD REGISTRANT SELECTION FUNCTIONALITY NOW AVAILABLE ON UK REACH IT After some delay, the UK REACH IT system has now been updated to allow companies in a Substance Group to claim the Lead Registrant role and continue to joint registration. Among other responsibilities, the Lead Registrant is tasked with submitting, via REACH IT, a lead joint registration dossier containing the relevant information under Article 11 UK REACH. According to HSE’s helpdesk guidance, the same EU REACH dossier should suffice; however, it appears that completeness checks may pick up information gaps—which were not an issue when the dossier was originally submitted with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Therefore, Lead Registrants should plan their timing and efforts to accommodate such issues. Following the submission of the dossier, the Lead Registrant will be responsible for approving membership in the joint registration group. The Lead Registrant role can only be claimed after communicating such intention to the wider group and receiving approval from the co-registrants. Should disputes

arise with respect to which entity should act as the Lead Registrant—if, for example, there is disagreement about who should be the Lead Registrant, or if co-registrants feel that the Lead Registrant is not performing their duties as required—Substance Group participants are requested to resolve the dispute among themselves. However, HSE has the power to remove the Lead Registrant based on the evidence provided, as well as get involved in dispute resolution. It is yet unclear how such disputes would be facilitated by HSE or what information would be sufficient to remove a Lead Registrant. Lastly, it should be noted that Article 26 inquirers will not be able to claim the Lead Registrant status until their registration dossier has been submitted and accepted by HSE and the registration fee is paid.

CHALLENGES REMAIN FOR GB IMPORTERS, MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS As UK REACH obligations start coming into force, issues and concerns faced by the industry will inevitably continue to increase, including: Difficulties in communicating with HSE. As the regulator taking over the role of ECHA in Great Britain, HSE now has significant additional responsibilities. However, due to the number of inquiries HSE receives, some companies are encountering issues when trying to obtain guidance. Although a helpdesk and email contact for UK REACH queries have been set up, response times are lengthy and lack of communication between HSE’s internal teams may cause further delay and complications. Additional costs for data. Companies should not forget that their existing contractual arrangements (such as Letters of Access) will likely only grant legitimate access to data for the purposes of EU REACH registrations and may not entitle them to transfer data on the EU REACH dossier for the purpose of complying with UK REACH. It will be a matter for individual companies to negotiate with their respective Lead Registrants or REACH consortia to determine whether the scope of the existing Letters of Access can be expanded to include UK REACH or new Letters of Access will need to be granted, including the remuneration for such new access to data. Most Lead Registrants and EU REACH consortia are taking a sensible approach and only charging companies

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nominal fees to extend the rights to use existing data for UK REACH purposes. However, this is not always the case, and some companies may be requested to pay additional amounts for the rights to use data for UK REACH registrations. Data sharing disputes. The EU REACH and Implementing Regulations provisions in relation to data sharing are retained in UK REACH, including the principles that costs are to be shared in a fair and transparent manner. In the event of disagreement on cost and data sharing, potential registrants can notify HSE, who will then have the power to grant potential registrants permission to refer to information. Appeals against HSE’s decisions will be brought in front of the UK First Tier Tribunal (FTT). The dispute resolutions procedure under UK REACH represents a significant departure from the procedure under EU REACH, whereby ECHA’s decisions on data sharing can be appealed to ECHA’s Board of Appeal. Unlike ECHA’s Board of Appeal, the FTT has discretion to make costs orders, potentially resulting in an unsuccessful appellant having to pay the legal costs of the other side in addition to their own legal fees. Great Britain’s market size raises new issues for UK REACH registrants. Great Britain is a significantly smaller market than the European Union. As a result, substances with dozens of registrants under EU REACH may only have one grandfathered or submitted as a new registrant under UK REACH. These entities will have to take the role of the Lead Registrant and, will need to negotiate and pay for access to data (if they did not also act as the lead for the EU REACH dossier), take sole responsibility for updating the registration dossier, and cover the costs of any new tests required. This will be particularly problematic for substances without well-established consortia who can assist sole UK REACH registrants with their compliance obligations. Additionally, registration fees under UK REACH remain the same as those under EU REACH despite the smaller market size. These issues may ultimately result in certain substances being no longer available in Great Britain. Divergence between EU and UK REACH will increase compliance costs. Although the UK chemicals regulatory system is currently closely aligned with the European

Union one, there is a high likelihood of divergence in the future. On 14 October 2021, the European Union published its Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) to achieve its zero-pollution ambition, which is a key part of the EU Green Deal. As part of CSS, the European Union aims to ban the most harmful chemicals in consumer products and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the EU - allowing their use only where essential. The European Union is also considering merging the authorisation process under EU REACH into the restriction process. Unless these changes are also mirrored in UK REACH, they will result in significant divergence between the two chemicals regulatory systems and, in turn, increased costs of compliance. Costs and competitor non-compliance may shake up markets. HSE has been taking a pragmatic approach to enforcement in light of the challenges faced by companies adapting to the post-Brexit regulatory landscape. Companies that are fulfilling their obligations have expressed concerns that other importers’ noncompliance with UK REACH registration requirements may give the latter an unfair competitive advantage. On the other hand, some importers and distributors see potential opportunities to increase market share should other companies determine that the costs associated with registration outweigh predicted profitability. Supply-chain disruptions are adding pressure to chemical companies. As the United Kingdom’s dependence on imports of base oils, lubricants, chemicals, and other products subject to UK REACH continues to grow, post-Brexit supply chain issues are in turn having a greater impact. Transport shortages, increased distribution costs and other uncertainties are likely to persist well into 2022. These uncertainties add to the financial calculus required of UK-based downstream users. The UK REACH regime continues to evolve, and its provisions and deadlines are subject to change. McDermott Will & Emery is keeping up with the latest developments as they become available and is here to answer any questions at mwe.com. i REACH etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (UK REACH), as amended. ii Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, as amended.

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Latest Updates on KKDIK; New KKS Tool is online while Registration Deadline is Approaching As the KKDIK registration deadline of 31/12/2023 is getting closer and closer, companies are going through an important period for compliance with KKDIK. Companies submitting pre-registrations to MoEU’s Chemicals Registration System, KKS, do automatically join the corresponding Substance Information Exchange Forum; MBDF. MBDF enables all potential registrants and data holders to interact and prepare for registration. Currently companies have already started to communicate within the MBDF’s of their substances, lead registrant appointments were mostly determined. Joint submission of a dossier is possible after the Lead Registrant’s dossier is submitted to the MoEU. Therefore Lead Registrants are rushing to submit registration dossiers on time. The Ministry performs a completeness check within 3 weeks when registration dossier is submitted. Also when the Lead Registrant submit registration dossier, all other MBDF members are notified automatically. Companies approved by the Lead Registrant send joint submission dossiers. Turkish Competent Authority, MoEU recently announced that full evaluation and approval process of the first registration dossier was accomplished on July 1st using new KKS. They also declared that 70 full registration dossiers have been submitted and evaluations are being done by the Ministry.

ESTABLISHING A CONSORTIUM UNDER KKDIK Through REACH experience, it is possible to predict that establishing a Consortia is a very effective way for cooperation of potential registrants of a substance or group of substances to fulfil the KKDIK requirements in time. As the data sets for KKDIK registrations already exists in the control of EU Consortia, Consortia members want to share the right to use the data to comply with regulations in Turkey. Therefore most of the KKDIK Lead Registrant companies are also the members of the relevant Consortium in EU. On the other hand the provision and sharing of data between competitors require a high degree of administration and confidentiality. In order to best manage this process, Turkish Competent Authority, MoEU require the formation of MBDFs / consortia by chemical companies which manufacture or distribute the same substances. Usually they commission an external MBDF or Consortium manager to act as their independent trustee. For this purpose ChemAdvocacy Turkey (CATR) was established in April 2020 as a partnership between Chemservice Group and RGS Group as an independent secretariat and trustee of choice to KKDIK consortia, granting a smooth and professional process to fulfil the registration obligations while keeping confidentiality amongst all parties.

KKS was under construction managed by this project that started on 1 November 2019. During dissemination seminars, the Ministry announced the following developments; Inquiry Management module was developed and integrated to KKS. This module is being used successfully to receive notifications, monitor and response in a systematic and practical manner. It will ensure visible system maintenance and support sustainability. Integrating the Chemical Safety Assessment and Reporting (CSA&R) Tool to KKS is finished. CSA&R tool is more user friendly compared to the reference tool of ECHA. In the ECHA system, chemical data is taken and uploaded into a separate tool. In KKS, since the CSA system will work in an integrated manner, there is no need to export the data or to enter data into a separate tool again. Therefore, CSA can be made with this new tool integrated into the KKS by using the data entered to KKS system. CSA&R tool will be active after 31/10/2021. Comprehensive studies were accomplished to update the KKS to latest IUCLID format. 6 short guidance video scenarios were prepared and are being finalized. The ready ones are already published on Chemical Help Desk. RGS was established in 2008 in Brussels provides global consultancy services to companies operating in the chemicals and cosmetics sectors within the scope of the EU REACH and Turkish KKDIK regulations. As RGS Group of Companies, including RGS-Turkey subsidiary, we have been carefully providing since 2008 our professional consultancy services in the implementation of EU REACH and Turkish KKDIK/SEA regulations to more than 1.100 manufacturers in over 55 countries. Do not hesitate to contact RGS, if you need compliance with Turkish Chemicals Regulations or more details on our services. REACH Global Services Group Pınar Ozgun Yavas Chief Consultant www.reach-gs.eu

THE MOEU’S PROJECT ON CSA AND IMPROVEMENTS The MoEU’s EU-financed project entitled as “Technical Assistance to Conduct Chemical Safety Assessments under the scope of REACH Regulation” will be finalised on 31/10/2021. Within the scope of project activities, two dissemination seminars were held in October 2021 with Covid measures in Istanbul and Izmir.

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l-r Michael Friede, Wilhelm Lamberts, and Oliver Bruns are the new non-executive directors at Pearl Polyurethane Systems

Pearl Polyurethane announces new appointments to drive growth The largest polyurethane system house across the Middle East and Africa, Pearl Polyurethane Systems, has appointed three industry experts to positions of non-executive director.

MaterialScience and then Covestro. This year, he was appointed chief commercial officer – performance coatings and member of the executive board at AkzoNobel, an Amsterdam-based multinational company creating paints and performance coating products.

Oliver Bruns, Michael Friede and Wilhelm Lamberts will be joining Pearl Polyurethane at board level as the newly independent Dubai-headquartered company embarks on an ambitious five-year growth plan.

Wilhelm Lamberts, a qualified chemist, started his career in 1986 as development chemist with Bayer AG responsible for the development of PUR rigid foam systems and during the course of his career at both Bayer and Covestro held numerous senior executive positions, including managing director of BaySystems Büfa, a German polyurethane system house, and president of Baulé Group, a globally active elastomer business. An experienced business leader and strategy developer, in 2018, Lamberts took up the role of chairman of the advisory board at Robert Kramer Gmbh & Co KG, a leading German chemical company. Since 2009, Lamberts has also been member of the advisory board to BÜFA Gmbh & Co KG.

Oliver Bruns brings over ten years of polyurethane industry experience in Germany with Bayer AG and Bayer MaterialScience - now known as Covestro. He also currently holds a full-time CEO-position at NEVEON, a global integrated foam group. Michael Friede started his career at Bayer AG in 2001, where he held various senior executive roles at Bayer

We remain focused on talent acquisition and development moving forward. The appointment of Oliver, Michael and Wilhelm is big part of this strategy as we embark on further expansion beyond the Middle East and North Africa to increase our international footprint while adding new products and markets as part of our five-year growth plan. Martin Kruczinna, CEO of Pearl Polyurethane Systems

Commenting on the appointments, Martin Kruczinna, CEO of Pearl Polyurethane Systems, said, “We remain focused on talent acquisition and development moving forward. The appointment of Oliver, Michael and Wilhelm is big part of this strategy as we embark on further expansion beyond the Middle East and North Africa to increase our international footprint while adding new products and markets as part of our fiveyear growth plan. In February 2021, Pearl Overseas Industries Ltd signed an agreement to acquire the remaining 51 per cent shareholding in Pearl Covestro Polyurethane Systems LLC from former joint-venture partner, Covestro AG. The deal closed on July 26 and the newly independent company, rebranded as Pearl Polyurethane Systems LLC, has confirmed a long-term supply and technical service agreement with Covestro in Germany ensuring consistency of supply to existing and new clients.

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palladium catalysts nickel foam

thin film 1

surface functionalized nanoparticles

organometallics

1.00794

Hydrogen

zeolites 11

anode

2 1

99.999% ruthenium spheres

6.941

2 8 1

22.98976928

24.305

Sodium

Magnesium 2 8 8 1

osmium

MOFs ZnS

40.078

2 8 18 8 1

85.4678

(223)

2 8 18 18 8 2

Francium

(226)

2 8 18 9 2

Ac (227)

Radium

2 8 18 10 2

91.224

2 8 18 18 9 2

138.90547

2 8 18 32 10 2

104

Rf (267)

2 8 18 19 9 2

140.116

Th 232.03806

2 8 18 32 32 10 2

2 8 18 21 8 2

140.90765

Thorium

Pa 231.03588

2 8 18 32 20 9 2

Protactinium

transparent ceramics EuFOD

spintronics

105

Db (268)

optical glass

2 8 18 13 1

2 8 18 32 11 2

2 8 18 32 12 2

183.84

2 8 18 32 32 11 2

106

Sg (271)

(98.0)

2 8 15 2

2 8 16 2

2 8 18 32 13 2

107

Bh (272)

Seaborgium

2 8 18 15 1

2 8 18 1

190.23

108

Hs (270)

Bohrium

2 8 18 16 1

102.9055

2 8 18 32 14 2

Mt (276)

Hassium

2 8 18 23 8 2

(145)

Np (237)

Neptunium

150.36

Promethium 2 8 18 32 21 9 2

2 8 18 24 8 2

2 8 18 32 15 2

151.964

Samarium

2 8 18 32 22 9 2

2 8 18 32 24 8 2

2 8 18 32 32 15 2

110

Ds (281)

2 8 18 25 9 2

2 8 18 32 32 17 1

2 8 18 27 8 2

111

Rg (280)

(244)

(243)

200.59

2 8 18 32 32 18 1

Roentgenium

(247)

Americium

Curium

(247)

Berkelium

112

Cn (285)

Ge 72.64

204.3833

113

Nh (284)

Copernicium

2 8 18 18 4

207.2

114

Fl (289)

Nihonium

2 8 18 28 8 2

2 8 18 29 8 2

Mc (288)

Flerovium

164.93032

Er 167.259

Holmium 2 8 18 32 28 8 2

(251)

(252)

100

(257)

Fermium

2 8 18 31 8 2

101

Md (258)

laser crystals

2 8 18 32 32 18 5

116

102

No (259)

Mendelevium

Lv (293)

2 8 18 32 8 2

2 8 18 32 32 8 2

103

2 8 18 32 18 6

pharmacoanalysis

(262)

2 8 18 32 18 7

2 8 18 32 32 18 6

117

(294)

Lawrencium

calcium wires

process synthesis

2 8 18 32 18 8

(222)

Radon 2 8 18 32 32 18 7

118

Og (294)

Oganesson

2 8 18 32 32 18 8

h-BN

InGaAs AuNPs

spectroscopy

superconducto

chalcogenides excipients CVD precursors deposition slugs YBCO

refractory metals

metamateri Fe3O4

shift reagents

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2 8 18 18 8

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2 8 18 8

131.293

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fluorescent microparticles

Nd:YAG

83.798

Tennessine

2 8 18 32 9 2

2 8 18 32 32 8 3

2 8 8

Krypton

cryo-electron microscopy

The Next Generation of Material Science Catalogs

dysprosium pellets

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ferrofluid dielectrics

2 8 18 18 7

Astatine

174.9668

Iodine

Lutetium

Nobelium

39.948

Argon 2 8 18 7

126.90447

Livermorium

Ytterbium 2 8 18 32 31 8 2

(209)

173.054

Thulium

2 8 18 32 30 8 2

2 8 18 18 6

Polonium

Moscovium

168.93421

Erbium 2 8 18 32 29 8 2

Einsteinium

2 8 18 30 8 2

79.904

127.6

2 8 18 32 18 5

Neon

Bromine

Tellurium

208.9804

115

ITO

20.1797

2 8 7

35.453

2 8

nano ribbons

Chlorine 2 8 18 6

78.96

Bismuth 2 8 18 32 32 18 4

32.065

121.76

2 8 18 32 18 4

2 8 6

Selenium 2 8 18 18 5

Fluorine

Sulfur 34

2 7

18.9984032

Antimony

Lead 2 8 18 32 32 18 3

2 8 18 5

74.9216

Tin

2 8 18 32 18 3

Arsenic

118.71

Thallium 2 8 18 32 32 18 2

Germanium 2 8 18 18 3

2 8 5

30.973762

15.9994

Phosphorus 2 8 18 4

Oxygen

silver nanoparticles

Californium

rhodium sponge

28.0855

114.818

2 8 18 32 18 2

2 8 4

2 6

Over 35,000 certified high purity laboratory chemicals, metals, & advanced materials and a

graphene oxide

biosynthetics

14.0067

Indium

Mercury

Dysprosium 2 8 18 32 27 8 2

2 8 18 18 2

Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm enantioselective catalysts Plutonium

2 5

Nitrogen

Silicon 2 8 18 3

69.723

112.411

162.5

Terbium

Cadmium 2 8 18 32 18 1

Gallium

Gold

158.92535

2 8 18 32 25 9 2

196.966569

Darmstadtium

Gadolinium 2 8 18 32 25 8 2

2 8 18 32 17 1

Zinc

Silver

195.084

157.25

Europium

2 8 18 18 1

2 8 3

26.9815386

2 8 18 2

65.38

107.8682

Platinum

Meitnerium

2 8 18 25 8 2

106.42

192.217

109

2 8 18 18

Palladium

macromolecules 61

12.0107

Carbon

Aluminum

Copper

Iridium 2 8 18 32 32 14 2

63.546

Nickel

Rhodium

Osmium 2 8 18 32 32 13 2

58.6934

Cobalt

101.07

Rhenium 2 8 18 32 32 12 2

58.933195

Ruthenium

186.207

Tungsten

144.242

Iron

Technetium

Nd Pm Sm

Uranium

55.845

2 8 18 13 2

2 4

Now Invent.

indicator dyes

MOCVD

95.96

2 8 18 22 8 2

238.02891

54.938045

Manganese

Molybdenum

Neodymium 92

2 8 14 2

sputtering targets tungsten carbide

2 8 18 12 1

Dubnium

2 8 13 2

rare earth metals

mesoporous silica MBE

51.9961

180.9488

Praseodymium 2 8 18 32 18 10 2

Chromium

Tantalum

Rutherfordium

Cerium 90

quantum dots

2 8 13 1

ultralight aerospace alloys

92.90638

178.48

2 8 18 32 18 9 2

2 8 11 2

Niobium

epitaxial crystal growth drug discovery

Hafnium

Actinium

50.9415

Vanadium

Zirconium

Lanthanum 2 8 18 32 18 8 2

47.867

Yttrium

Barium 2 8 18 32 18 8 1

2 8 10 2

Titanium

88.90585

137.327

Cesium

2 8 18 8 2

87.62

132.9054

Scandium

Strontium 2 8 18 18 8 1

44.955912

Calcium

Rubidium 55

2 8 9 2

isotopes

39.0983

Potassium

3D graphene foam

nanodispersions

He Helium

2 3

Boron

2 8 2

2 8 8 2

4.002602

10.811

Beryllium

nanogels

metal carbenes

bioactive compounds

9.012182

Lithium

2 2

gold nanoparticles

III-IV semiconductors

screening chemicals

buckyballs

janus particles

glassy carbon alternative energy

diamond micropowder

Now Invent!

metallocenes BINAP

conjugated nanostructure

Chemical Industry Journal 24

Articles inside

fine chemicals

hazardous industries

supply chain

hazard risk management

Contents

chemistry 4.0

Ingredients and blending

chemuk 21 review

welcome