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Asia/Pacific

Lubrizol launches global expansion program for chlorinated PVC capacity

The $400 million expansion efforts will provide the company with the necessary manufacturing capabilities to readily supply global demand while positioning its CPVC business for future growth.

CB&I wins design work from SK for Korea propane dehydrogenation project

SK gas awarded a contract to CB&I for the license and engineering design of a grassroots propane dehydrogenation unit to be built in Ulsan, Korea. The unit will use the CATOFIN dehydrogenation process from Lummus Technology to produce 600,000 tpy of propylene. Startup will be in 2016.

Jacobs awarded design work on Chinese sulfuric acid regeneration plant

Under the terms of the deal, Jacobs is providing the process design package, detailed design for critical equipment, design and supply of Jacobs' proprietary Chemetics equipment, as well as technical advisory services for construction and commissioning of the plant. Officials did not disclose the contract value.

Global methanol market poised for rapid expansion, driven by China demand

Geographically, China remains the growth center for methanol demand, with an average annual growth of slightly more than 12%, while the rest of the world is growing at just below 3%. China methanol consumption will triple from 31 million tons in 2012 to 97 million tons in 2022, according to the study.

Pertamina names PTT as petrochemical business partner in Indonesia

Pertamina is seeking to enter the petrochemical industry as tens of millions of Indonesia's increasingly affluent middle-class will drive up demand substantially. "Both companies are expected not only to build petrochemical plants but also to cooperate in marketing and research and development," they said.

KBR wins project management work for Azerbaijan gas processing plant

The new SOCAR gas processing plant will be located within the new oil-gas processing and petrochemical complex (OGPC) in Azerbaijan. The gas processing plant FEED completion is expected in October 2013, with the overall complex expected to start up operations in late 2020.

India's HPCL plans new refining complex in Barmer

The state-run company's board approved an investment of 370 billion rupees ($6.7 billion) to set up a 9-million tpy refinery and petrochemical complex in the northwest town of Barmer. India's demand for hydrocarbons is growing at a rapid pace, driven by industrialization and the automobiles market.

BASF to supply FCC catalysts for Shell refineries

This enhanced relationship agreement also includes collaborative activities designed to accelerate the introduction of new FCC catalyst technologies, according to company officials. BASF says the deal will ensure that Shell has the most advantageous FCC catalysts in its operations at all times.

Phillips 66 mulls sale of European, Asian refineries

Larry Ziemba, executive vice president for refining, project development and procurement, said that, for the right price the company would consider selling a 71,000 bpd refinery in Cork, Ireland, and its joint venture stakes in refineries in Malaysia and Germany. "They're really not strategic," Mr. Ziemba said.

Methanex to expand output at New Zealand plants

Methanex secured a new natural gas supply agreement, thereby enabling the restart of the methanol plant at its Waitara Valley site by late in the third quarter. That will add 500,000 tpy of production. In addition, Methanex will add capacity at the Motunui site by increasing distillation for another 200,000 tpy.