Published on April 4, 2014
Chemical handling training has become extremely important for the port sector in order to ensure safe and easy cargo transportation. The port staff must be aware of the risks associated with chemical handling, along with other aspects like segregation, reactions and contamination. To help the port sector succeed in this respect, considerable advances have been made in technological and training fields. Ports have to know about risks of all handled chemicals in the port. They should be aware of ..
Published on April 1, 2014
Natural gas, according to experts, will be the fastest growing energy source until 2035. Demand for natural between 2012-2035 is likely to increase by an average 1.9 per cent per annum, thereby surpassing all other energy sources. This event in turn is expected to result in higher natural gas prices, including for LNG. Global energy use is estimated to increase by 41 per cent from 2012 to 2035, 95 per cent of this rising demand is expected to come from emerging markets like India and China. Whe ..
Published on March 29, 2014
The Ukraine-Russia crisis has been the talk of the town for the past few weeks. Experts have busy analysing the situation and the implications of this standoff for various nations. The impact on the Gulf region, however, is unclear. Trade exchanges between Ukraine and GCC countries are negligible. Exports from Ukraine to Saudi Arabia in 2012 were worth only $926 million. But this amount is equal to only 0.5 per cent of Ukraine’s GDP. In 2012, Saudi exports to Ukraine amounted to only $150 ..
Published on March 27, 2014
India witnessed the failure of the programme to blend 5 per cent of ethanol in petrol sold across the country, primarily due to incapacity of the oil marketing companies (OMCs) to get hold of the amounts at a reasonable price. The national level currently stands at a mere 1.5 per cent and it is way too early to even think about increasing the level to 10 per cent. Before the blending programme was implemented, ethanol produced in India was used for two purposes; one for the producing potable li ..
Published on March 25, 2014
The global manufacturing industry is undergoing a change; the third wave of industrial revolution has begun wherein internet-based communication technology is uniting with renewable resources. And in this crucial period, chemistry will have an important role to play. The third industrial revolution, according to experts, is all about green and sustainable chemistry. Principles of green chemistry are soon to become crucial in the functioning of any industry or company. These principles wil ..
Published on March 24, 2014
In 2013, Gulf’s petrochemical sector’s revenues were at USD 97.3 billion, despite various issues. The region’s export revenues were about USD 52.7 billion in the previous year. The petrochemical industry witnessed a significant rise in capacity to 130 million tons per year. Saudi Arabia’s production capacity rose to 87.5 million tons and petrochemical production is said to have crossed 17.5 million tons. In the fourth quarter, this sector’s earnings increased by ..
Published on March 19, 2014
Many cities in India are suffering from some of the worst air quality in the world. The smog resulting from use of cheap diesel is costing the country 1.1 trillion rupees in shortened life spans of productive members of the urban population per year. India subsidizes fuel sales equivalent to $15 billion every year, promoting diesel vehicles that emit exhaust gases with 10 times the carcinogenic particles found in gasoline exhausts. As a result the national capital’s air on average last y ..
Published on March 15, 2014
Royal Dutch Shell recently announced a 71 per cent decline in profits and failed to accomplish production growth and shareholders return targets. Shell has made its presence known in almost 100 countries, produces 3.2 million barrels of oil per day and is one of the biggest energy companies. Shell paved the way for world’s first oil tanker. The company even discovered oil and gas fields of Nigeria, Brunei, Indonesia, Oman, Malaysia and New Zealand. But, the oil giant has been slammed by hu ..
Published on March 14, 2014
The recent reforms, which helped get rid of the tariff setting authority, have pulled the Indian port sector out of muddy waters. Two of the biggest international port operators are keen on investing in India. In February, PSA International Pte Ltd, the global container port operating firm owned by Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd, won the bid to build and operate the Rs 7,900 crore fourth terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), located near Mumbai. The project involves the biggest single ..
Published on March 12, 2014
Germany based chemical firms joint forces of Clariant, Haltermann and Mercedes-Benz have introduced a fuel of future to the streets in a fleet test in Germany using cellulosic ethanol which is a legitimately advanced bio-fuel of the latest generation. This chemical is produced from agricultural residues in Germany and is produced by the Clariant sunliquid process using wheat straw as a feedstock. At an amalgamation rate of 20%, this fleet test will be a demonstration that the fuel is completely ..
