Positive impacts
In his book, asteroid researcher Simone Marchi puts these collisions in the foreground, emphasising the chaotic nature of the seemingly steady Solar System as well as the productive benefits of apparently catastrophic impacts.
Coping with increasing complexity
Author Ruth DeFries, Columbia University Professor of sustainable development, suggests that the time has come for us to develop a new approach to the natural world. In particular, we are admonished to adopt a much more empathetic relationship toward nature.
US biofuels initiative
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an initiative to streamline the review process for new chemicals that could succeed current, higher greenhouse gas-emitting fuels.
Risk awareness
As a prelude to its rescheduled annual conference (22-26 May) in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum has published its own analysis of risks facing the global community in 2022 and beyond. Read the Leader article in C&I Magazine.
Business not as usual
Economics expert Paul Hodges gives his views on the business outlook for the chemicals sector in 2022 and beyond as the world settles into the ‘new normal’ of the Covid era
Sustainable castor oil
Results from the world’s first sustainable castor bean programme have been hailed by BASF and other founders as a sign of its success. After five years, over 5800 farmers have been trained and certified and 36,000t of certified castor seed cultivated, while increasing yields.
Managing fluid projects
Damien Moran, Bürkert’s Field Segment Manager for the hygienic and pharmaceutical sector, discusses the benefits of the combined project management approach.
Li-ion recycling JV
Mining and commodities giant Glencore has entered into a joint venture with battery pioneer Britishvolt to build a battery recycling plant in Kent. Once completed, the plant will be Glencore and Britishvolt’s first battery recycling facility in the UK, with an expected processing capacity of a minimum of 10,000t of Li-ion batteries/year.
US drug approvals
Despite the restrictions of the pandemic, US regulators approved 50 new drugs in 2021, slightly down on its record in 2020 and up on the average approval rate (43) over the past decade. These include the first approved Alzheimer’s drug in nearly two decades; it’s also the first US FDA-approved therapy to address the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s disease.