Americas
KBR and Valero startup benzene reduction projects
KBR today announced that Valero Energy has successfully started up advanced reformate splitters at three of its US refineries.
Catalyst recycling comes to Oklahoma
Veolia ES Technical Solutions and Oklahoma Materials Recycling (OMR) have signed a teaming agreement whereby Veolia will exclusively provide up-front sales and marketing services for OMR’s catalyst recycling plant currently under construction in Atoka, Oklahoma.
Association says CFATS should be made permanent
In written testimony before a US congressional panel, the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA) said existing Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) are effective and should be made permanent. The association’s statement was given to the US House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies.
Celanese expands EVA capacity
Celanese Corp. says that due to strong growth in strategic, high-value segments, the company will expand capacity at its Edmonton, Canada, manufacturing facility (specifically for ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymers).
Former US House speaker proposes eliminating EPA
Former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich is an advocate for the elimination of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
US demand for activated carbon to grow over 15%
US demand for activated carbon, including both virgin and reactivated products sold by activated carbon suppliers, is forecast to grow 15.8% per annum to 1.2 billion pounds in 2014.
Update on major fire at Enterprise Products plant in Mont Belvieu
At approximately 12:30 PM CST yesterday, a major fire was reported at the Enterprise Products plant in Mont Bellvieu, Texas. According to eyewitness reports, the intensity of the fire was so great that trucks in adjacent parking lots were melting.
Honeywell forms new advanced solutions business
Honeywell has formed a new business focused on providing advanced open software and services to the process industries. By integrating the open connectivity and broad platform capability of its Matrikon acquisition with its applications and solutions business, Honeywell’s new business can deliver a breadth of solutions.
Merger in the process analyzer business segment
Laboratory analysis systems company Metrohm has joined together with Applikon, a producer of process analyzers.
ECS implementation makes a difference at Beaumont plant
Invensys Operations Management has successfully implemented an InFusion enterprise control system (ECS) for ExxonMobil Lubricants and Specialties. Through a joint Invensys and ExxonMobil team effort, the installation was successfully completed and the plant was back to full production on schedule with no safety incidents.
- LyondellBasell to likely begin closure of Houston refinery (U.S.) this weekend 1/22
- Enilive (Eni) starts SAF production at 400,000-tpy Gela biorefinery in Sicily 1/22
- Digital Exclusive (sponsored): Improve efficiency via centralized data and advanced collaboration 1/22
- Topsoe to provide technology to Chuangui Lingang New Energy's 300,000-tpy SAF/renewable diesel plant in China 1/22
- Sri Lanka agrees with China's Sinopec to fast-track $3.7-B refinery 1/22
- South Korea's GS Caltex plans Yeosu refinery maintenance in late February 1/22
