From Reach compliance to innovation – making use of data and tools

Combustible dust poses a hazard to numerous industries, such as food, wood, chemical, plastics, and metals. Dust fires and explosions are relatively rare, but when they occur, they can be catastrophic. The first step to ensure safe operations involving combustible dust is to conduct a dust hazard analysis. This webinar will provide viewers with a guide to identifying combustible dust hazards in manufacturing facilities. The topics will include developing a dust sampling plan, principles of dust clouds and ignitable atmospheres, and mechanics of dust flash fires and explosions. The webinar will then cover how to analyze processes and buildings to determine where dust fire and explosion hazards exists by evaluating normal and abnormal operating conditions, potential ignition sources, and existing safeguards in place.

A novel method for recycling PLA using low-temperature, low-pressure reactions with alcohol or water has recently been developed. PLA is used today in many applications ranging from food packaging to implantable medical devices. Because of its sensitivity to thermal degradation, PLA is difficult to recycle and actually becomes a contaminant in the plastics stream of municipal solid waste. Using the newly discovered process, different grades of PLA can be removed from a stream of commingled plastics and broken down to give high value chemicals. Some of these chemicals, called monomers, can be purified and used as feedstock to synthesize virgin PLA resin, thereby “closing the loop” on the PLA life cycle. This result is achieved by carrying out depolymerization reactions while the PLA is in solution.

It is crucial to make informed decisions when choosing chemicals in products, processes and supply chains. Though it seems like an obvious step, identifying and knowing the potential hazards of chemicals is often overlooked or perceived as too complicated or costly to address. Yet companies face brand and financial risk if they are not making informed decisions about the chemicals they use. The List Translator provides a first line of defense against regrettable chemical choices while the in-person training provides you with hands-on practice and ensures you can effectively use the tool in your organization.

Data-informed insights uncover new opportunities to increase efficiency across business and operations. In the chemical industry, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is the key to implementing smarter solutions. Watch our on-demand webcast for a uniquely interactive experience to learn how to unleash the data, assess new opportunities, and unlock customer advantage.