Heat Exchanger World Magazine May 2026 | Página 14

Industry News
Smiths Group strengthens Flex-Tek with DRC purchase
Smiths Group plc( Smiths) is pleased to announce that it has completed the purchase of DRC Heat Transfer( DRC) in accordance with the terms of the purchase agreement entered into between the parties. DRC will be integrated into Flex- Tek’ s Thermal Solutions business and is consistent with the strategy of building into high growth adjacencies. DRC will enable Flex- Tek to serve a wider customer group in fast growing end markets with products and solutions that are additive to Flex-Tek’ s existing portfolio. In particular, the acquisition will strengthen Flex-Tek’ s presence in the power generation market, where growth is underpinned by significant structural growth trends, such as data centre back-up power, and other mission-critical applications.
Commenting on the acquisition, Roland Carter, CEO of Smiths, said:“ The acquisition of DRC further demonstrates our focus on value, creative growth and delivering on our strategy at pace and with discipline. I am delighted to welcome the DRC team to Smiths as we continue to demonstrate the delivery of sustainable value across our business.”
Blackstone announces agreement to acquire ACT
BASF inaugurates world-scale Verbund site in China
BASF has officially inaugurated its new world-scale Verbund site in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, marking a major expansion of its integrated chemical production footprint in China. Covering approximately four square kilometers, the site represents BASF’ s thirdlargest Verbund complex globally and is operated fully under the company’ s responsibility. The facility is designed around BASF’ s integrated Verbund concept, enabling tightly connected production chains for basic chemicals, intermediates, and specialty products. It will supply key industries, including transportation, consumer goods, electronics, home care, and personal care, with the majority of output directed to the Chinese domestic market under a“ local for local” strategy. The Zhanjiang site employs more than 2,000 people and has already
started operations across multiple production lines. To date, BASF has commissioned 18 plants and 32 production lines, producing more than 70 products. A key milestone includes the successful start-up of a worldscale steam cracker with a capacity of 1 million tons of ethylene per year, which uses renewable electricity for its main compressors. The project integrates advanced process technologies, digital systems, and renewable energy sourcing, enabling up to a 50 % reduction in CO 2 emissions compared to conventional petrochemical sites. BASF has secured long-term renewable power through agreements, including offshore wind investments. With an investment of approximately EUR 8.7bn, the Zhanjiang Verbund site strengthens BASF’ s longterm growth strategy in China and reinforces its position in one of the world’ s largest chemical markets.
SAFFiRE selects ANDRITZ for Kansas pilot project
Blackstone( BX) and Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc.( ACT) have announced that funds managed by Blackstone Energy Transition Partners( Blackstone) have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in ACT, a leading U. S. manufacturer of highlyengineered thermal management and energy efficiency solutions. ACT’ s executive team will remain in place and continue as significant shareholders in the business. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Pennsylvania, ACT designs and manufactures highly-engineered thermal management and energy efficiency solutions for advanced computing, high power density, and mission-critical applications. The company’ s innovative solutions include two-phase
liquid cooling, heat pipes, phase change materials, cold plates, environmental control units, and composite thermal and structural systems. ACT has thrived not only on its product and technology portfolio, but their unique ability to provide premier engineering and responsiveness to its customers. Blackstone’ s investment is intended to help maintain this level of service, while adding capacity and capabilities to enhance the value provided to ACT’ s broad customer base. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter, subject to customary conditions. Houlihan Lokey served as the exclusive financial advisor, and Reed Smith served as legal counsel to ACT. Kirkland & Ellis served as legal advisor, and UBS served as financial advisor to Blackstone.
SAFFiRE Renewables, part of Conestoga Energy, has selected ANDRITZ to supply key refining technology for its new pilot plant in Liberal, Kansas. The facility will convert agricultural residues, including corn stover and other biomass feedstocks, into cellulosic ethanol, supporting the scale-up of low-carbon fuel production for hardto-decarbonize transport sectors such as road freight, rail, marine, and aviation. The pilot plant will demonstrate SAFFiRE’ s Deacetylation and Mechanical Refining( DMR) process for producing ethanol that can serve as an ultra-low-carbon fuel or be further upgraded into sustainable aviation fuel( SAF), bio-based chemicals, and materials. The project aims to advance domestic feedstock utilization and reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions significantly compared with conventional fossil fuels. ANDRITZ will supply two refining systems for biomass pretreatment, including a single-disc high-consistency refiner and a
CompaDis™ CDI low-consistency refiner with a combined capacity of 10 tons per day. The equipment will mechanically process biomass to improve ethanol conversion efficiency. Startup of the pilot plant is planned for the first quarter of 2027, with the order included in ANDRITZ’ s Q4 2025 intake. The collaboration reflects both companies’ focus on enabling the energy transition through industrialscale renewable fuel technologies. SAFFiRE emphasizes that the system will help unlock scalable pathways for converting agricultural residues into advanced fuels with strong emissions reduction potential, while ANDRITZ highlights its role in supporting nextgeneration biofuel production through advanced refining solutions.
14 Heat Exchanger World May 2026 www. heat-exchanger-world. com