Petrochemicals
Dow Chemical splits from US manufacturing lobby amid gas export dispute
In a letter to NAM president Jay Timmons on Friday, and obtained by Dow Jones Newswires, Dow Chemical accuses the group of siding with member companies that are in the natural-gas industry, rather than adopt "a position of neutrality on an issue that clearly splits its membership."
Hyundai Cosmo opens new Korea paraxylene plant
With the plant's annual output of 800,000 metric tons of paraxylene and 120,000 tons of benzene, the two companies aim to grab a sizeable chunk of Asia's growing petrochemical market. Hyundai Cosmo Petrochemical (HCP) is a 50-50 venture between Japan’s Cosmo Oil and South Korea’s Hyundai Oilbank.
NOVA restores idled Moore LDPE plant in Canada
The company says that during the period between the incident in late 2011 and now, it committed resources and capital to not only rebuild the reactor, but also enhance its ability to operate more safely and reliably, with a streamlined product slate to better serve customers.
KBR to revamp, expand Hungary ammonia plant
As a leading supplier of ammonia process technologies, KBR has been involved in the licensing, design, engineering and/or construction of more than 200 ammonia plants worldwide, representing approximately half of current global ammonia production. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Jacobs wins engineering work for new Reliance cracker complex in India
The engineering work under this contract is for the construction of offsites and utilities facilities, according to Jacobs officials. Officials did not disclose the contract value. The new cracker complex is part of a major expansion of Reliance’s petrochemical capacities at Jamnagar and other sites in India.
Nitrogenmuvek awards work to KBR for revamp of Hungary ammonia plant
As a leading supplier of ammonia process technologies, KBR has been involved in the licensing, design, engineering and/or construction of more than 200 ammonia plants worldwide, representing approximately half of current global ammonia production. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Westlake launches ethylene expansion project at Lake Charles complex
This expansion will be completed in conjunction with a planned maintenance turnaround and will increase ethane-based ethylene capacity by approximately 230-240 million lbs/year in support of the company's ethylene integration strategy, according to Westlake company officials.
US shale boom to spur manufacturing growth, but not energy independence
The US currently imports approximately half its daily consumption of 19 million bpd of oil and remains both the largest importer and consumer of oil. Conservation and the shale revolution would not eliminate upward pressure on prices from rising emerging market demand.
Methanex to temporarily shut down Chile plant amid poor gas supply
Methanex is currently operating one plant in Chile at low operating rates. In 2013, planned output from this plant represents less than 5% of the company's total production, CEO John Floren said.
Dow restarts long-idled Louisiana olefins cracker
According to Dow, the St. Charles plant located near Hanville, La., began producing on-spec ethylene on Dec. 25, meeting previously announced goals to restart the site by the end of 2012. The St. Charles cracker, which was idled in January 2009, reportedly has a capacity of 380,000 tpy.
- BASF’s Intermediates division produces entire portfolio of acid chlorides and chloroformates at its Ludwigshafen site using renewable electricity credits 3/23
- ANDRITZ to supply refining technology for cellulosic ethanol pilot plant in the U.S. 3/22
- Brazilian city trials new biofuel aimed at replacing diesel entirely 3/22
- South Korea to review restructuring plan for largest petrochemical complex 3/22
- Shell says Pearl GTL facility's train two in Qatar requires around a year for full repair 3/22
- Iran attacks wipe out 17% of Qatar’s LNG capacity for up to five years 3/22
