Emerson Process, Paratherm and RedHook Brewery make the news, among others.

Austin, Texas-based Emerson Process Management’s Hart Communication Foundation has named the Danube refinery of the MOL Group, Budapest, as 2010 Hart Plant of the Year for its commitment to establishing a predictive and proactive maintenance program. “It is always more cost-effective to eliminate a problem before it develops than to replace a malfunctioning asset,” says Gábor Bereznai, head of instrumentation control and electrical at the refinery. “Emerson’s technologies and the expertise of their team working alongside our people have been keys to helping us drive down costly maintenance issues and create a safer environment.”

Acrolab technical presentations and videos at www.acrolab.com also can be found at www.slideshare.net/petermccormack. The Windsor, Ont., company says it regularly updates the postings.

Air Products’ ion transport membrane technology has received a Technology Transfer Award by the Electric Power Research Institute. The oxygen production technology could increase the efficiency and reduce the costs of advanced coal-fired power plants, both with and without carbon dioxide capture and storage systems. Air Products, Lehigh Valley, Pa., received the award for advancing its ITM technology and research results, and for leadership in the implementation and development of the technology.

BASF, Iselin, N.J., plans to build an additional production plant for sodium methylate in Argentina with an annual capacity of about 66,000 tons.

Paratherm Corp., W. Conshohocken, Pa., named T.J. Morris business development engineer handling all sales and support work for the food processing and poultry industries. George Schreiber, who formally filled the role, was named general manager of the firm.

Craft-beer pioneer Redhook Brewery, Woodinville, Wash., is celebrating its 30th birthday by unveiling a new look, including bottles, labels, bottle caps and packaging. The updated image is part of Redhook’s effort to get back to its roots. "There seems to be a movement within the craft-beer community where a lot of breweries are trying to ‘out craft’ each other,” says Robert Rentsch, Redhook’s brand manager. "Redhook isn’t about that. Of course, we’re brewing great beer, but we’re just as interested in having a great time. We think our new look reflects our personality well.”

UnionTown Energy Inc., Billings, Mont., appointed Darren Stevenson president and CEO.

Uwe Liebelt was named president of Iselin, N.J.-based BASF’s Paper Chemicals Division in Basel, Switzerland.