Biennial event brings cutting-edge technical education to Houston’s petrochemical hub as industry faces transformation in automation and sustainability
HOUSTON, Sept. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Powder & Bulk Solids Texas Conference (PBS TX Conference) will convene September 15-16, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Baytown, delivering advanced technical education for engineers and professionals in the bulk materials and processing industry. The two-day event serves as a companion to the International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference & Exhibition (iPBS) and addresses critical challenges facing the sector, including AI integration, sustainable battery recycling, and the circular economy.
The conference takes place in the heart of Texas’s Golden Triangle, home to the world’s largest concentration of petrochemical manufacturing. The region hosts over 57 major energy operators—including ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Valero Energy, BASF, Chevron Phillips Chemical, Dow, and Motiva Enterprises—employing thousands of chemical engineers, process engineers, operations managers, and maintenance directors who require specialized knowledge in bulk solids handling and processing.
Addressing Industry Transformation Through Five Technical Tracks
Attendees will access specialized content across five education tracks: Conveying & Feeding; Wet Processing; Bulk Solids Storage, Retrieval & Logistics; Dust Control & Safety; and Processing & Quality. Four general sessions will address emerging industry challenges in AI, plastics recycling, lithium-ion battery processing, and engineering ethics.
Featured Sessions Tackle Critical Industry Issues
Tuesday, September 15
Beyond Automation: Human Reliability in AI-Transformed Operations — Rajni Walia, Senior Vice President at DEKRA, will examine how organizations can implement AI-enabled operations while maintaining human performance and decision-making authority. The session will address system misalignments, cognitive risk management, and the design of procedures and interfaces that support reliable execution in automated environments.
Overview of Engineering Design for a Lithium-Ion Battery (LIBs) Recycling Process — Barry Perlmutter, President of Perlmutter & Idea Development (P&ID), will present case studies of installed dry-inerted recycling processes, covering pilot-plant through full-scale production systems for wet and dry production scrap, end-of-life batteries, and small-to-medium format consumer batteries.
Wednesday, September 16
Circular Economy of Plastics & Chemicals — Industry experts Megan Robertson, Sribala Gorugantu, and Venkatesh Balan will explore strategies for closing material loops in chemical manufacturing and reducing waste through circular economy principles.
Ethics in Engineering — Parisa Saboori will lead a discussion on ethical considerations in engineering practice as the industry adopts new technologies and faces increased scrutiny on environmental and social impacts.
“Gathering this community in the epicenter of chemical engineering enables critical conversations about the industry’s future,” said Steve Everly, Group Event Director for Manufacturing by Informa. “As bulk solids processing intersects with AI, sustainability mandates, and new battery technologies, engineers need access to practical knowledge from peers facing similar challenges.”
The PBS TX Conference provides networking opportunities with regional industry leaders and access to technical expertise specific to bulk materials handling, a sector that underpins chemical manufacturing, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials production.
Registration and additional information are available at https://www.powderconferencetexas.com/
About Manufacturing by Informa
Manufacturing by Informa is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world’s $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the manufacturing market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Manufacturing portfolio is organized by Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), the world’s leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, visit www.informamarkets.com.
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