September, 2020
No. 539

MARKETS

• Dynamic Filter and Media Market Could Reach $80 billion in 2022 

• Value Rating System Needed for COVID Mitigation Options

COAL-FIRED BOILERS

• World Coal-fired Capacity Shrank in First half of 2020

WASTE-TO-ENERGY

• Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Wins KRW 220 Billion Waste-to-Energy Plant Project in Poland

• Covanta’s Newark Plant has Lower Emission than Required Because of Baghouse

GAS TURBINES

• Gas Turbine Filter Media Lines Supplied by Elmarco

COMPANY NEWS

• Donaldson’s Fourth Quarter and Full Year Gross Margin Increased in a Volatile Sales Environment.

• Mitsubishi Power is New Name for MHPS

• Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises Announces Board Changes

• Babcock & Wilcox Named Gary Cochrane Managing Director of its European Region

• Babcock & Wilcox named Nick Carter Managing Director of its Asia-Pacific Region

• Babcock & Wilcox Continues Middle East Expansion 

• CECO Environmental and Mader Machine Co. Create Damper Joint Venture

PRODUCT NEWS

• Parker Hannifin Announces Upgrades for the SmogHog® SHM Media Mist Collector 

REGULATIONS

• Residual Risk Review of Iron and Steel Foundries Removes Exemptions for Startups, Shutdowns and Malfunction

MARKETS

 Dynamic Filter and Media Market Could Reach $80 billion in 2022

The segments of the filtration industry which use non-woven and membrane filter media are poised to grow to $80 billion in 2022. This represents an increase of 33 percent over the 2019 revenues. Most of  the growth is attributable to coronavirus related mitigation efforts. The assumption is that the filtration industry will be able to deliver the needed masks and filters. Air pollution and drought caused by climate change create the balance of the growth. The air pollution prevention benefits of masks, HVAC filters, and dust collectors are greater due to the steady increase in wildfires.  Increasing use of desalination and water reuse will be another consequence of climate change. Battery separator markets will also increase as electric vehicles are viewed as a climate change solution.

 If the filtration industry cannot meet the demand or if it fails to convince purchasers of the real benefits of better filtration, revenues could plateau at 2019 levels or even fall depending on the havoc wrought by COVID.

These are filter revenues FOB manufacturer.

Media revenues range from 20  percent for masks to 60 percent for fabric filters.

 There is now strong evidence the Coronavirus is spread by small aerosols. Cloth masks and inefficient filters act as aerosol generators. The medical community is finally realizing that the solution lies in high efficiency masks and filters. In the past the assumption was that these products could not be made available to the general public. The filtration industry is capable of meeting the very large demand with a mix of meltblown, nanofiber, membrane and other media.

The same media which can be used in masks and HVAC filters has applicability in gas turbine intake filters, dust collectors, and liquid cartridges. The non-woven media market will be over $25 billion of which only 40 percent will be mask media. Concerns that media manufacturers have about building capacity which will go unused after a vaccine is perfected are unwarranted. Not only are there non mask uses but air pollution, indoor pollution, wildfires, and new viruses will  boost  mask demand.

The “other segment” includes vacuum cleaner bags and battery separators. It does not include medical and cleanroom garments.  However, these can use the same media and are analyzed in McIlvaine Cleanroom and other publications.

This is a very dynamic market. The U.S. election in November will determine the extent of future trade barriers and the amount of international trade. Technical developments in media and products will continue to shape the market.

It is therefore essential that filter and media companies prepare comprehensive strategies which are flexible enough to adjust as conditions change. The Mcilvaine Company has a Filter and Media Strategic Management Program which includes continually updated and detailed  forecasts plus tools to pursue the market opportunities.

Bob McIlvaine can provide more information on the program. He can be reached at rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com or 847 226 2391.

Value Rating System Needed for COVID Mitigation Options

Highly-efficient masks and air filters should be the primary weapons in fighting COVID. The initial assumption was that these products would not be available and so decisions were made to select lower value options. 

Suppliers can now supply the needed products. We need a holistic approach which rates each option and results in the higher value solutions being selected first and lower value options selected only when circumstances prevent a higher value option from being employed. Social distancing is not practiced in a pharmaceutical cleanroom because higher value options are employed.

The selection of filtration methods is site specific. A MERV 8 filter in an HVAC system has wide applicability even if the effectiveness is relatively low.  A HEPA room air purifier is more effective but with much less applicability. The benefits have to be weighed against both the economic and life quality costs.

The following generalized rating table is useful in determining the relative importance of various products. It is just the starting point.  The selection method in a specific situation depends on the virus load, the air currents, and the activity of individuals.

The table assumes that the highest value options are chosen first. Since social distancing is a low value option it is rated based on the assumption that everyone is wearing an N95 mask or is in an environment with efficient air filtration.

 The value formula is value x % effectiveness x % applicability - economic and life quality costs = net value

·     Value is number of lives saved and sickness reduced x value factors. It is 100 in the formula

·     Effectiveness is the percentage of virus removed, resultant lives saved and sickness averted. It represents the 

     percentage of the value which can be obtained

·     Applicability is the percentage of situations where it can be used

·    Economic Cost is relative and is compared to the value. It is the cost of the product and associated operating costs as 

    well as costs to economic productivity such as in lockdowns  

·    The life quality cost is based on a concept called Quality Enhanced life Days (QELD) which has been used by Cardinal

    Health in the hospital industry. A lockdown has substantial QELD reduction 

In general, an N95 mask is the greatest value. It will remove 95 percent of the virus and can be used in 95 percent of the applications. It has a modest economic cost and a modest life quality cost due to discomfort.

The N95 Mask with a valve is slightly more applicable and can be worn by those unable to use a non-valved mask. It is somewhat less effective, but it has a lower life quality comfort penalty. The wearer of an N95 mask is much less likely to become infected and to become a transmitter. So, there is a small chance that his exhalation through a valve will transmit virus.

Cloth masks act as aerosol generators for large droplets initially retained. So, the effectiveness is 20 percent or lower and the net value is only 10. Because cloth masks give a false sense of security, their net value is probably negative.  The only question is by making the stop on the way to its final destination does the virus lose viability?

MERV 16 filters have a higher initial cost and can have higher energy consumption with the same filter depth, but with deeper filters the energy cost is similar to MERV 13 filters. By switching from a MERV 8 to MERV 16 the net value increases 33 points.

 A lockdown can be very effective but is not universally applicable. The life quality and economic costs are substantial. However, this chart does not take into account the economic and life quality costs of doing nothing. Wearing N95 masks would be the answer rather than a lockdown. But when there is a high positivity ratio the lockdown is better than nothing.

Room air purifiers are very effective and provide the best net value for elevators, hospital reception areas and many other applications. However, the applicability is much less than larger HVAC systems. This lowers the general net value or importance.

There is little value in social distancing if the higher value options are chosen. Social distancing provides little safety from small aerosols which can travel long distances. It has limited applicability and has both economic and life quality costs. The net value is low. Social distancing is justified compared to doing nothing. In fact, it has been extremely important in the early attempts to fight COVID.

In specific situations such as eating masks may not be applicable and social distancing may be an option in conjunction with air filtration. One of the advantages of valved masks is that it extends the applicability vs social distancing.

This net value ranking is completely at odds with what has been advised by CDC and WHO.  However, it is consistent with the ranking to fight air pollution or measles. In both cases the assumption is that if there is a source it will be airborne for long distances. Some countries such as China with high levels of ambient air pollution had already partially adopted this value system and have had relatively low infection rates.

There are some who argue that there is not sufficient proof that the virus will remain viable after being airborne. There has been lots of indirect evidence where other causes were eliminated. Now we are seeing direct evidence where with new sampling methods which do not damage the virus there are viable specimens being captured.

There are some who argue that the small amount of virus conveyed by small droplets is not going to be infectious. New evidence shows that the quantity of virus in small droplets emanating directly from lungs is much higher than that in cough droplets which are composed of mucus with diluted virus quantities.

The fact that surfactants make up about 4 percent of large droplets means that as they evaporate on the mask surface the surfactant concentration will increase and the surface tension be reduced to make the formation of smaller droplets easier.

This value rating system can be applied as a general but also specific guide by country and application. It is of great value to the purchasers of masks and filters. The value to suppliers is in developing the best products and pursuing the market. 

More information on this system is provided in Coronavirus Technology Solutions. The service is described at www.mcilvainecompany.com. Bob Mcilvaine can answer your questions at 847 226 2391 or rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com.

COAL-FIRED BOILERS

World Coal-fired Capacity Shrank in First half of 2020

During the first half of 2020, the world’s coal-generated power capacity shrank for the first time since at least the 1950s, according to the non-profit Global Energy Monitor. New plants haven’t entirely stopped coming online: The world added 18.3 GW of new coal-fired generation, but it retired plants capable of generating 21.2 GW, mostly in the U.S. and Europe, cutting about 1 percent of total global capacity.

Since 2000, new coal capacity has increased by 50 GW annually on average. But the balance shifted in 2020 as electricity demand fell during the Covid-19 pandemic and EU pollution regulations made coal-fired power plants increasingly unprofitable.

Still, coal is not going anywhere. At least 520 GW of new coal power capacity is either under construction or planned. Most of that planned growth is in China, which has doubled the pace of new coal permitting this year. And only two years ago, coal demand hit an all-time high, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), which forecasted stable coal demand through 2025 before the pandemic. “Expectations of an imminent coal collapse have come and gone before,” the IEA warns.

But we are seeing two energy worlds emerge. In China and India, coal-fired power plants still generate lots of jobs and electricity (as well as attract government subsidies). In industrialized countries, coal-fired power plants are closing down as the price of electricity from natural gas and renewables undercuts them, and climate regulations take hold. Net coal capacity would have been declining since 2018 without China, estimates Global Energy Monitor.

To achieve international climate goals, coal-fired power plants must be retired early (or their emissions sequestered, a difficult proposition) long before reaching their operational lifetime.

Those cuts are getting easier to make. Coal power is now falling out of favor in countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam, says Christine Shearer, program director for coal at Global Energy Monitor. And they’re not alone. By 2030, the energy and financial think tank CarbonTracker estimates it will be more expensive to run old coal-fired power plants than to build new renewable power.

WASTE-TO-ENERGY

Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Wins KRW 220 Billion Waste-to-Energy Plant Project in Poland

Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction announced that the consortium it formed with its German subsidiary Doosan Lentjes had won a waste-to-energy plant construction project. The client is the Polish energy company Dobra Energia and the contract is valued to be about KRW 220 billion. The project is for a WtE plant that treats about 300 tons of municipal waste per day to generate a heat and electricity supply of about 12 MW for the local community. The plant will be constructed in Olsztyn, about 200 km north of Poland’s capital Warsaw.

A WtE plant is a facility that converts combustible waste resources generated by industrial sites or households into energy through the gasification, incineration or pyrolysis process. It has recently been thrust into the spotlight, as it not only generates electricity from waste, but also helps to minimize landfills and thus, reduce environmental pollution. New orders for WtE plants are particularly increasing in Europe due to the waste landfill restriction policy imposed amidst the rising demand for replacement of old plants.

The consortium, consisting of Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction and Doosan Lentjes, will be taking on the project as an Engineering, Procurement, Construction turnkey project and plans to complete the construction by 2023. Doosan Heavy will provide overall project management services, while Doosan Lentjes will be supplying the incineration boiler and environmental equipment and also be performing mechanical and electrical works. Its Czech subsidiary Doosan Skoda Power will also participate in the project by supplying a small 12 MW industrial steam turbine. 

Covanta’s Newark Plant has Lower Emission than Required Because of Baghouse

In Newark, despite already operating well within environmental standards, Covanta invested $90 million in state-of-the-art emissions control technology, or “baghouse” technology, resulting in further improvement in environmental performance and a reduction in emissions in excess of 90 percent.

“Today, our Newark facility consistently operates at environmental performance levels far better than those required by its permit, not because we have to, but because it is the right thing to do for our communities and our planet,” said Paul Gilman, Covanta’s Chief Sustainability Officer,

In Camden, home of another Covanta waste-to-energy facility, the company is developing plans to invest $40 million to $50 million on new state-of-the-art emissions controls as part of its public commitment to implement five improvement projects by 2023 focused on reducing emissions, specifically in environmental justice communities. Since acquiring the Camden facility in 2013, Covanta has invested more than $55 million in maintenance and capital expenditures to improve the facility’s operational and environmental performance.

While some have been focused on depicting critical waste-to-energy infrastructure as part of the problem, in reality, according data from U.S. EPA National Emissions Inventory WTE is a very small contributor of emissions in these communities.

GAS TURBINES

Gas Turbine Filter Media Lines Supplied by Elmarco

Complete production line with two spinning unit capacity, delivered to filter media and final filter manufacturers. Elmarco's turn-key solution included entire technology integration and peripheral delivery. A light nanofiber layer deposited onto cellulose filter media ensures target filtration efficiency at a significantly lower pressure drop with good cleanability.

COMPANY NEWS

Donaldson’s Fourth Quarter and Full Year Gross Margin Increased in a Volatile Sales Environment

Donaldson Company, Inc. reported fiscal 2020 net earnings of $64.2 million in 4^th quarter and $257.0 million for the full year, compared with $58.0 million and $267.2 million, respectively, in 2019. Fiscal 2020 GAAP earnings per share (EPS) were $0.50 in 4^th quarter and $2.00 for the full year, compared with $0.45 and $2.05, respectively, in 2019. Excluding non-recurring items in the prior year, 4^th quarter and full-year 2020 EPS declined 18.0 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively, from 2019.

“I am proud of how our team performed in fiscal 2020, and we made progress on many of our strategic priorities, including improving gross margin, further expanding into new markets and geographies, strengthening our technological capabilities and executing our capital investment plans,” said Tod Carpenter, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “When the pandemic required us to pivot, our teams acted quickly and decisively as we prioritized the health and safety of our employees, fulfilling our customer commitments and doing our part to lessen the spread of COVID-19. Although this work is ongoing, to date we have delivered on these priorities through global coordination and collaboration, and I am confident we are in a strong position as we enter fiscal 2021.

“Market conditions will likely remain uneven as the pandemic’s duration and its ultimate impact on the economy is still unclear. Despite the uncertainty, we believe we can continue gaining share in new and emerging markets while experiencing relative stability from our strong base of replacement parts. Executing projects to strengthen gross margin will remain a top priority in 2021, and we plan to build on our long track record of taking a disciplined approach to expense management and capital deployment. We are at the tail end of a multi-year investment cycle that included record levels of capital expenditures aimed at supporting our long-term growth plans, and we are excited to add these resources to our already-strong base of return-generating assets. With our deep customer and supplier relationships, incredible employees and relentless focus on those things under our control, I am confident 2021 will be another year of progress towards our company purpose of Advancing Filtration for a Cleaner World.”

The 4^th quarter 2020 sales declined 15.1 percent to $617.4 million from $726.9 million in 2019. Excluding the impact from currency translation, 4^th quarter sales declined 13.7 percent, reflecting a broad global economic slowdown that is due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 4^th quarter 2020 sales of Industrial Products (“Industrial”) declined 14.6 percent, driven primarily by the impact of the pandemic on industrial production and capital investment. Dust collection sales within Industrial Filtration Solutions (“IFS”) experienced the greatest pressure from lower industrial production, with sales of both new equipment and replacement parts down from the prior year. Also, within IFS, sales of Process Filtration products for the food and beverage industry were down from the prior year, driven by lower sales of new equipment. The Gas Turbine Systems increase was driven primarily by higher sales of products for small turbines. The sales decline in Special Applications was driven by decreased sales in Disk Drive and Integrated Venting Solutions.

Mitsubishi Power is New Name for MHPS

Mitsubishi Power, a major subsidiary of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, officially changed its corporate name from Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems today. The rebrand marks the start of an exciting new chapter in the company's mission to solve the foremost energy challenges of our time, including decarbonizing energy and bringing reliable power to people all over the world. With its new brand identity, which was developed after consultation with key customers, employees and partners, Mitsubishi Power moves forward in its ambition to become a leading energy solutions company with a broad spectrum of businesses in grid-level power generation, renewables, energy storage and digital technologies.

Following the rebrand, Mitsubishi Power becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of MHI Group. Its enhanced position within the Group will enable it to establish greater synergies with its sister companies and expand its business by tapping new customer categories. Mitsubishi Power will capitalize on existing investments in emerging energy solutions, such as hydrogen, ammonia and solar power, to address the diverse and increasingly complex energy needs of customers around the world.

Mr. Ken Kawai, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Power, Ltd., said, "Providing people access to clean, stable, and affordable power is among global society's most urgent mandates today. With our new identity, Mitsubishi Power is exceptionally poised to lead in solving these challenges. Building on a legacy of strong engineering and distinctive service, we will develop even more cutting-edge solutions to better serve our customers while broadening our portfolio. As an energy solutions company, we will partner more closely with governments, utilities, industry leaders and our fellow companies within the MHI Group to create a future that is good for people and the planet."

In addition to the new name and logo, Mitsubishi Power also unveiled a new mission statement and announced that it will adopt the MHI Group tagline "Move the World Forward."

Throughout its history, Mitsubishi Power has built a strong position as a trusted partner to power generation companies globally. As it enters this new phase, the company will apply its world-leading engineering prowess, drive for innovation and renowned customer service to deliver reliable energy, ultimately galvanizing the progress of nations, communities and individuals everywhere.

Mitsubishi Power, Ltd. is a leading provider and innovator of technology and solutions for the global energy sector. Headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., whose engineering and manufacturing businesses span energy, infrastructure, transport, aerospace and defense. With more than 18,000 employees across 31 countries worldwide, Mitsubishi Power designs, manufactures and maintains equipment and systems that drive decarbonization and ensure delivery of reliable power around the world. Among its solutions are a wide range of gas turbines including hydrogen-fueled gas turbines, solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), and air quality control systems (AQCS). Committed to providing exemplary service and working with customers to imagine the future of energy, Mitsubishi Power is also spearheading the development of the digital power plant through its suite of AI-enabled TOMONI™ solutions.

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises Announces Board Changes

Three new independent directors join Board of Directors:

·         Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Young and Chief Strategy Officer Henry Bartoli also join Board

·         New directors are part of a well-planned transition and strategic shift to accelerate growth in light of improved

       operational stability 

·         Five directors have retired, and the new Board is comprised of six members with four serving independently

·         Kenneth Young succeeds Matthew Avril as Chairman of the Board and current director Alan Howe named Lead

       Independent Director  

Babcock & Wilcox announced the appointment of three new independent members to its Board of Directors, reflecting a well-planned transition and strategic shift to accelerate growth within B&W in light of improved operational stability. The new independent members are Philip Moeller, Rebecca Stahl and Joseph Tato. CEO Kenneth Young and Chief Strategy Officer Henry Bartoli have also joined the Board, with Young appointed as Chairman of the Board. 

Young, stated, “B&W is on an exciting path forward as we work to execute on our growth strategy, including expanding our global sales team, pursuing strategic investments in new technologies, and capitalizing on a robust global pipeline within our new Renewable, Environmental and Thermal segments. The new directors have strong and successful backgrounds across each of these segments and are well experienced in global growth initiatives. We greatly appreciate the efforts of the previous Board and their support during the past several years as we focused on reducing losses on our EPC projects and refinancing our debt, as well as their willingness to be available to support the Board transition. Our recent organizational re-alignment and re-branding efforts reflect our mission to provide solutions to our customers around the world while providing proven, industry-leading technologies. With our financial position now strengthened, reconstituting the Board is a logical next step as we focus on our long-term growth opportunities.”

Henry E. Bartoli is the Chief Strategy Officer of Babcock & Wilcox. Bartoli is a seasoned executive with more than 35 years of experience in the global power industry, and more recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hitachi Power Systems America, LTD from 2004 to 2014. From 2002 to 2004, Bartoli was Executive Vice President of The Shaw Group, after serving in a number of senior leadership roles at Foster Wheeler Ltd. from 1992 to 2002, including Group Executive and Corporate Senior Vice President, Energy Equipment Group, and Group Executive and Corporate Vice President and Group Executive, Foster Wheeler Power Systems Group. From 1971 to 1992, he served in a number of positions of increasing importance at Burns and Roe Enterprises, Inc. Bartoli also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fermilab, United States’ premier particle physics laboratory owned by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Philip Moeller serves as Executive Vice President, Business Operations Group and Regulatory Affairs at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), which is an association that represents all of the nation’s investor-owned electric companies. Within the role, Moeller oversees issues impacting the future structure of the electric power industry, new rules in evolving competitive markets, and strategic areas of energy supply, environmental and regulatory issues, among others.

Babcock & Wilcox Named Gary Cochrane Managing Director of its European Region

Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) is continuing to expand its presence in Europe to support the growth of its three business segments – B&W Renewable, B&W Environmental and B&W Thermal. Gary Cochrane has been named Managing Director of its European region and will lead the company’s efforts to leverage its established offices, manufacturing facilities and operations in the U.K., Germany, Denmark, Italy and Sweden to expand its footprint in Europe.

B&W is adding sales, service, operations and support staff to serve new and existing customers and pursue new opportunities across the region.

“B&W has successfully operated in Europe for many decades and is an industry leader in providing advanced technologies for biomass-to-energy, waste-to-energy, environmental, boiler cleaning and engineered solutions for a wide range of applications,” said B&W Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Young. “We’re increasing our presence to leverage these important markets by putting key management and operational teams in place, augmenting our staff and capabilities and pursuing new opportunities.”

“As Managing Director, Gary Cochrane will lead our efforts to build on our strong foundation in Europe and capitalize on the estimated addressable market of more than $7 billion over the next three years, as more European power providers and industries transition to cleaner energy options and advanced waste-to-energy and biomass technologies,” Young said. “He will coordinate our regional growth initiatives for all B&W product lines as we pursue new opportunities in renewable energy across all of Europe and provide customers with environmental, renewable and thermal solutions in these growing markets.”

Cochrane joined B&W in 2018, most recently holding responsibility for the company’s parts & service business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He previously served as a regional general manager for Weir Oil & Gas in Europe, Russia and the Caspian region. Prior to that, Cochrane was responsible for identifying and implementing market strategies and technologies for Oceaneering International Services. He earned his bachelor’s degree in energy and environmental engineering from Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Babcock & Wilcox named Nick Carter Managing Director of its Asia-Pacific Region

Babcock & Wilcox announced that it is establishing its Asia-Pacific Region headquarters in Perth, Australia, to serve as the center of operations for its expansion in the Asia-Pacific market. B&W has named Nick Carter as Managing Director of the region.

“There is significant demand for clean energy, waste-to-energy, emissions and environmental controls, and advanced thermal energy solutions in the Asia-Pacific region. Establishing a strong presence in this region, along with a key management and operations team, is an important next step for Babcock & Wilcox,” said B&W Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Young. “B&W Environmental, B&W Renewable and B&W Thermal offer comprehensive, industry-leading technologies and equipment, parts, plant maintenance and other services that are well-known and respected throughout the Asia-Pacific region, which we estimate has an addressable market of nearly $8 billion over the next three years.”

“Under Nick Carter’s experienced, skilled leadership, we are already seeing signs of success as the energy demands and environmental mandates within this region are expanding exponentially,” Young said.

Carter has considerable experience within the power generation sector, including more than 20 years in South America and the Asia-Pacific region delivering major power generation projects. Carter began his career with Bechtel Corporation and joined B&W in 1980, and subsequently held a number of international positions of increasing responsibility including

Babcock & Wilcox Continues Middle East Expansion

Babcock & Wilcox continued its expansion into the Middle East and Africa with the formation of Babcock & Wilcox Middle East Holdings, Ltd. and the opening of a headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for this business. Concurrent with this announcement, Wassim Moussaoui has been named Managing Director, B&W Middle East Holdings.

The new headquarters for B&W Middle East Holdings, Ltd. is located in the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) and will serve as B&W’s hub for sales, business development and operations in the Middle East and Africa region and will support the company’s growth in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Oman and Qatar. The office will serve customers for the company’s new strategic, market-facing segments – B&W Environmental, B&W Renewable and B&W Thermal.

"B&W Middle East Holdings, under the direction of Wassim Moussaoui, strengthens our presence in the expanding environmental, renewable and thermal markets in the Middle East and Africa. We see approximately $4 billion in addressable market potential in the countries and lines of businesses where we are focusing our efforts, and we’re pleased that Wassim will lead our growth efforts in this key geographic region," said B&W Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Young. "Wassim brings more than 15 years of international business development experience to this role. His depth of knowledge and expertise make him an ideal fit for this position."

Moussaoui joined B&W in 2017, most recently serving as Senior Director, Sales & Business Development, Europe, Middle East & Africa. Prior to joining B&W, he worked for Babcock Borsig Steinmüller GmbH for 11 years, most recently serving as the company’s Head of Sales & Proposals. Moussaoui holds a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Munich University of Applied Sciences.

B&W is actively expanding its sales and business development team throughout the world. Targeted expansion regions include the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific as they offer significant opportunities for the company’s advanced technologies, including waste-to-energy, biomass, advanced thermal and environmental solutions.

B&W’s focus for the Asia-Pacific region will include upgrades, parts, equipment and other services to customers in the renewable, environmental and thermal markets, including to under-serviced local markets and the pulp & paper and petrochemical sectors.    

CECO Environmental and Mader Machine Co. Create Damper Joint Venture

CECO Environmental and Mader Machine Co. (Mader), have entered into an agreement to create a Joint Venture (JV) combining CECO's Effox-Flextor damper business with Mader's damper business, leveraging the synergies and complementary strengths from each business. The JV will benefit both companies by going to market with a more robust portfolio while enhancing the cost structure as a combined organization.

Under the terms of the joint venture, CECO will hold 70 percent of the equity, consolidate the financial reporting, maintain 2 of 4 board seats, and receive an annual fee for providing administrative services to the JV. James Zeager, CEO of Mader, will lead the combined company driving its growth and cost actions and ensuring a streamlined integrated business. Mader is a portfolio company of Chartwell Investments Entrepreneur & Founder Capital (“CHIEF Capital”).

"This newly-formed JV provides solid leadership within the damper business, as-well as expanded strategies and optionality," stated Matt Eckl, CFO of CECO Environmental.

"From a strategic perspective, the combined strengths and brand reputations of both Effox-Flextor and Mader will provide new opportunities to enable expansion into various markets and sharpen our focus in other strategic areas within clean air," says James Zeager, CEO of Mader. "The JV will also produce important cost synergies to improve profitability as we navigate the challenging markets and uncertain environment."

Daniel Duncan, President of Energy Solutions at CECO Environmental added, "the combination of these two businesses will give their respective customers the support of an expanded and experienced team as well as new product and service options."

PRODUCT NEWS

Parker Hannifin Announces Upgrades for the SmogHog® SHM Media Mist Collector 

The Industrial Gas Filtration and Generation Division of Parker Hannifin Corp. announced new updates to the fabric-style media collector for indoor factory processes. The newly-upgraded SmogHog SHM Floor mist and smoke collector can be used as a stand-alone solution or part of a centralized system.

This self-contained collector has numerous improvements:

New motor/blower system that increases reliability through a more robust industrial design. Relocated external control panel with touchscreen functionality that is positioned at the side of the cabinet for greater visibility and easy access to system functions, user settings, and alerts.

Enhanced blower cabinet design that increases mist filtration efficiency by providing a longer dwell time in and across the main filter media.

After-filter cabinet that allows customer choice of a 95 percent DOP or HEPA media has been relocated to just after the main filter chamber and before the blower cabinet to provide increased filtration efficiency, easier access for after-filter media maintenance and provides additional protection for the blower chamber.

“Our SmogHog SHM uses PEACH® saturated depth coalescing media with three airflow paths and a patented inner filter tube,” said Tim Rosiek, Product Manager, Industrial Gas Filtration and Generation Division. “We continue to invest in our technology and make improvements that our customers need.”

REGULATIONS

Residual Risk Review of Iron and Steel Foundries Removes Exemptions for Startups, Shutdowns and Malfunction

EPA action on September 10, 2020, finalized the residual risk and technology review (RTR) conducted for the major source Iron and Steel Foundries source category and the technology review for the area source Iron and Steel Foundries source category regulated under national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP). In addition, EPA took final action to remove exemptions for periods of startup, shutdown and malfunction (SSM) and to specify that emissions standards apply at all times These final amendments also require electronic reporting of performance test results and compliance reports and make minor corrections and clarifications to a few other rule provisions for major sources and area sources.

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