www.chemengonline.com December 2020 Cover Story 23 Part 1 Bio-based Processing Best Practices Development of robust bio-based processes will be key to accelerating the transition to a circular economy, and there are many economic and technical considerations that will help companies experience success with biobased innovations 27 Part 2 Separations are Key to Bioprocessing Success Choosing an optimal separation technology and associated equipment is essential in all types of bioprocessing applications In the News 4 Chementator Nanoengineered catalysts can upcycle polyethylene; Grapheneoxide filtration membrane for harsh chemical environments; Methane pyrolysis process uses renewable electricity to split CH4 into H2 and carbon black; Tubular sieves for extracting lithium from brines; and more 9 Business News Momentive to expand production of polyurethane additives in Italy; Mitsui Chemical completes construction of new synthetic-fluids plant; Covestro expand its production capacity for Vulkollan raw materials in Thailand; Commissioning begins on Evonik polyamide-12 plant; and more 11 Newsfront Better AI and Awareness Drive Robotics Expansion in the CPI Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and in technologies that provide robots with positional awareness have driven an expansion of robotics use across the chemical process industries (CPI) Technical and Practical 21 Facts at your Fingertips Hydrogen Flame Hazards and Leak Detection This one-page reference provides information on flame hazards associated with handling hydrogen gas and detecting H2 leaks 22 Technology Profile Production of Isopropyl Alcohol from Acetone This one-page process summary describes the production of isopropyl alcohol from acetone 32 Feature Report Using Lifecycle Cost Analysis for Best Project Value Lifecycle cost analysis (LCCA) can be used as a tool for selecting alternatives that add the most value to a project. The methodology for implementing LCCA is described here 40 Environmental Manager Choosing Footwear for Chemical Working Environments Selecting footwear for plant personnel is not a " one size fits all " situation - various factors must be considered to ensure the best shoe for a specific application CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM DECEMBER 2020 1 40 11 23 Volume 127 | no. 12 27http://www.chemengonline.com http://WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM