PE roundup 20 March: Collaborations, approvals, appointments and sales across the process sectors
19 Mar 2023
Birmingham University has launched a research collaboration with global specialty chemical firm Innospec, aimed at boosting research into speciality chemicals used in fuel, performance chemicals (personal care, home care, agrochemicals), and oilfield services.
The project focuses on developing surface active chemicals that could be used in agrochemicals, construction, fuel, home and personal care products, with emphasis on products that are safety and environmental aspects.
Birmingham’s Professor Zhenyu Jason Zhang said: “We are very much encouraged that our research competence and scientific expertise have been recognised by Innospec. Working closely with our industrial partners to address grand challenges such as sustainability has been the core element of Formulation Engineering at University of Birmingham, and we look forward to strengthening and expanding the portfolio of the collaboration.
Scottish low carbon innovation company Innovatium has appointed, who former Baker Hughes executive team member Derek Mathieson and who is the Matteir Group owner and CEO Giulio Contaldi to its board.
Lloyd’s Register has awarded Approval in Principle to Nordic hydrogen production company Rotoboost’s Rotobox pre-combustion Carbon Capture System. Rotobox uses thermocatalytic decomposition process ond marine vessels, with part of the natural gas fuel supply is converted into hydrogen and graphite with a liquid catalyst. The firm claims Rotobox has the capacity to reduce overall carbon emissions by up to 100%, depending on heating method.
RS Group has appointed Simon Pryce as its new CEO and executive director. Acting CEO David Egan will continue as Chief Finance Officer at the firm. Pryce was previously Ultra Electronic Holdings CEO.
Leeds business William G Search has won Atlas Copco Compressors’ Distributor of the Year Award 2022. Atlas Copco general manager Ariel Rubinstein said: “We want to recognise and celebrate partners who contribute towards our overall growth. William G Search is thoroughly deserving of this achievement, having realised the highest total growth compared to 2021 of all our premier distributors.”
Richard Stedman has returned as CEO of ACG’s engineering division CEO, a post he previously held between 2017-21. The company specialises in manufacturing solutions for the pharma and nutraceutical industries.
Engineering technology start-up Salinity Solutions signed a deal for water process manufacturer Te-Tech Process Solutions to produce treatment units containing Salinity’s patented, batch reverse osmosis (RO) water purification technologyaimed at sectors includingmunicipal wastewater treatment, healthcare, food processing, industrial waste, agriculture and rural drinking water. The firm states its technology uses 50% less energy, purifies up to 98% of the water and generates 80% less waste than conventional methods. Salinity Solutions’ claims its SAM50 as the first batch RO product in the world to be manufactured commercially.
Coventry's private Arden University has appointed Professor Mike Sutcliffe to head its new engineering school. Currently the president of the Engineering Professors’ Council (EPC), Sutcliffe has been a vocal pioneer of engineering degree apprenticeships and instrumental in the New Approaches to Engineering Higher Education programme created by the EPC and the Institution of Engineering Technology (IET).
XRG Technologies says installing its Xceed system at VPR Energy’s Rotterdam plant has resulted in a drop of NOx emissions by 50%. Jeffrey van Geloof, refinery director at VPR Energy said, “To halve NOx emissions, while still increasing capacity and improving efficiency vindicates our investment in the latest technology, and ensures the refinery continues to operate effectively, while minimising gas emissions.”
Professor Brian Cox is guest speaker at the second edition of Brooklands Innovation Academy on 3 October. Last year’s inaugural event attracted more than 400 students in over 21 different workshops and speaking events.
Warehouse automation specialists Invar Group has appointed Dan Migliozzi, head of sales, responsible for sales and solution design for the UK and Europe.
Funder and partner to renewable energy development companies, Susgen has sold its UK-based solar and battery storage development company JBM Solar to the UK’s largest power generator, RWE. Founded in 2012, JBM Solar is described as the UK’s largest independent solar and co-located battery storage developer, with a pipeline of 6.1 gigawatts (GWac), split into 3.8 GWac solar, and 2.3 GWac co-located battery storage projects.
The Engineering & Design Institute London (TEDI-London) has appointed former Institution of Civil Engineers president Peter Hansford as its new board chair. In May he succeeds Dr Chris Roberts who has sat on the board since its inception in four years ago.
Articulated warehouse truck manufacturer Narrow Aisle achieved a record global turnover of £31.6 million in 2022. The sum compares with £25.5 million recorded in 2019 when it was the subkect of a management buyout.
