Powder & Bulk Solids Texas Conference Spotlights AI, Battery Recycling in Petrochemical Hub
Event summary
- Powder & Bulk Solids Texas Conference (PBS TX) runs September 15-16, 2026, in Baytown, Texas.
- Event features five technical tracks and four general sessions on AI, battery recycling, and circular economy.
- Key speakers include Rajni Walia (DEKRA) on AI-human reliability and Barry Perlmutter (P&ID) on lithium-ion battery recycling.
- Conference attracts engineers from 57 major energy operators in Texas's Golden Triangle.
The big picture
The conference highlights the intersection of AI and sustainability in industrial processing, particularly in Texas's petrochemical heartland. As battery recycling and circular economy principles gain traction, engineers are seeking practical solutions to integrate these emerging priorities into existing operations. The event underscores how regional manufacturing hubs are becoming testing grounds for industry-wide transformation.
What we're watching
- AI Adoption
- How AI-human reliability frameworks will shape operational safety in bulk materials processing.
- Circular Economy
- The pace at which chemical manufacturers adopt closed-loop material strategies.
- Battery Recycling
- Whether dry-inerted recycling processes can scale from pilot plants to full production.
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