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Petrochemicals

LyondellBasell sees lower refining margins in April

"Thus far, refining industry spreads have declined versus the first quarter but remain healthy," said CEO Bob Patel, who made the comments as part of the company's first-quarter earnings release.

Asian partners mull building Ohio ethane cracker

With a site for the ethane cracker now selected, PTTGC and Marubeni will take the next 12-to-16 months to complete the detailed engineering design and permitting at the Ohio site.

Braskem, Odebrecht put US ethane cracker plans on hold, citing markets

In a joint statement, Braskem and Odebrecht confirmed to media outlets that the delay is necessary due to present energy market conditions.

Marathon finishes new Kentucky refinery splitter

The new unit, which will split the ultralight crude into naphtha and other feedstocks at the company's 242-Mbpd refinery in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, is in the last stages of construction.

Jacobs buys China chemical engineer Suzhou Han

SHCE has two specialty Class A design licenses in China’s chemical and petrochemical industry, which allow the firm to provide engineering design for all types of chemical projects in China irrespective of project size; plus procurement and project management services for various projects in China.

Celanese to cut acetate tow capacity by 50% at Belgium chemical plant

Celanese’s Lanaken plant is located in the Belgian province of Limburg and has a current nameplate capacity of 52,000 tpy and employs approximately 240 employees.

US to become top light naphtha exporter by 2020

This capacity expansion and surplus of light naphtha is occurring in large part due to the rapid expansion of tight oil and shale gas production in North America, and in particular, the US, which will surpass the Middle East to become the world’s largest exporter of light naphtha by 2020.

US chemical activity index rises for fourth month

The Chemical Activity Barometer has four primary components, each consisting of a variety of indicators: 1) production; 2) equity prices; 3) product prices; and 4) inventories and other indicators. All components were up in April, according to the ACC.

SABIC signs deal to import US shale gas for UK petrochemical feedstock

SABIC has signed an agreement to use shale gas imported from the US at its Teesside petrochemical complex in Britain, acting CEO Yousef Abdullah al-Benyan told news agency Reuters.

WR Grace advances FCC catalysts project in UAE

The approximately $150 million facility, located in the Kizad Industrial Zone approximately 70 km outside Abu Dhabi, will serve refineries throughout the Middle East and potentially other regions.