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Petrochemicals

SABIC plans new US ethane cracker, possibly more

Mohammed Al-Mady, CEO of SABIC, said the company is in talks with partners to invest in one or perhaps two projects. The plans for a new ethylene plant are based on an abundance of cheap ethane feedstock derived from the ongoing US shale boom. The company did not disclose a specific location.

KBR wins construction work for revamp, expansion of Texas ammonia furnace

KBR will provide turnaround construction and project management services for the shutdown, maintenance and retubing of the ammonia furnace scheduled to take place in August 2013. The plant turnaround services are expected to increase efficiencies and extend the operational life.

Linde to build gas purification, air separation units for Reliance at Jamnagar

Under the new deal, Linde's engineering division will supply four large air separation units (ASUs) for the production of gaseous oxygen. In addition, to treat the synthesis gas generated during this gasification process, Linde will deliver two RECTISOL acid gas removal units to Reliance.

Global chemical industry to see modest growth, driven by M&A activity

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

In its 2013 outlook, Deloitte finds that the financial influences of globalization, market maturation in China, and raw material trends will position M&A as an effective strategic tool.

Mitsubishi eyes new methanol complex in Trinidad

In the first phase, the proposed plant would produce 1 million tpy of methanol and 100,000 tpy of dimethyl ether. The partners expect to reach a final investment decision by March 2014 and start commercial operations by March 2017, the two Japanese companies said in a statement.

Sasol buys ethylene compressor trains for planned Louisiana ethane cracker

The compressor trains are a critical long-lead item for Sasol's proposed world-scale ethane cracker at its Lake Charles site in southwest Louisiana. Sasol announced the commencement of the FEED phase for the cracker last December. The cracker will also include downstream derivative units.

KBR, Yokogawa form ammonia technology alliance

Company officials say the fertilizer automation package will couple KBR’s ammonia process technology expertise with Yokogawa’s know-how of process control systems to streamline the work process, develop standard configurations and simplify interfaces between various suppliers.

US ethane glut to boost petrochemical margins

Ethane production in the US is likely to grow to 1.11 million bpd in 2013, 125,000 bpd more than in 2012, the report finds. Petrochemical demand, however, will not keep up with the flood of ethane supply.

LyondellBasell licenses technologies to new China polyethylene, EVA plant

Key features of the Lupotech T tubular technology and the Lupotech A autoclave technology include low manufacturing and investment costs, fast start-up and grade changes, and high quality LDPE and copolymers with up to 40% EVA covering the entire range of melt flows and densities.

UOP technology picked at Brunei aromatics project

Aromatics products derived at the facility will help meet growing demand for plastics and synthetic fibers in the region, according to the company. The project, to be located in Pulau Muara Besar, Brunei Darussalam, is expected to be one of the largest aromatics complexes in the world.