Petrochemicals
Reliance in talks to buy Malaysia PTA plant from BP
Executives from Reliance Industries and BP have held talks in Hong Kong about BP's purified terephthalic acid (PTA) plant in Malaysia, which has an annual capacity of around 610,000 tons, the Economic Times newspaper said, citing an unidentified investment banker. Financial terms were not yet known.
Mexichem eyes US ethylene venture with OxyChem
Mexichem said it signed a memorandum of understanding with OxyChem on July 30 to build a cracker that would produce 500,000 tpy of ethylene. Most of ethylene would be used by OxyChem at its plant in Ingleside, Texas, to produce 1 million tpy of vinyl chloride, a raw material used in the production of PVC.
Materia extends global catalysts distribution pact with Sigma-Aldrich
Materia’s olefin metathesis catalyst technology enables chemical compounds to be synthesized with greater efficiency, under less stringent reaction conditions, and with reduced byproducts and hazardous waste, according to the company. Financial details were not disclosed.
Invista to expand aromatic polyester polyols plants in Netherlands, US
The investments involve upgrades to boost global production volumes of the Terate HT polyols product line to help meet growing global demand for INVISTA’s aromatic polyester polyols, according to the company. Financial commitment for the expansions will be in the "millions of dollars".
Evonik begins building German polybutadiene plant, plans mid-2013 startup
The plant is scheduled for completion in the middle of 2013. Functionalized polybutadienes, which Evonik plans to market under the name POLYVEST HT, are used mainly in sealing compounds for insulated glass windows and for adhesives used in the automotive and electronics industries.
CB&I wins work on BASF Belgium butadiene project
This award, valued in excess of $50 million, builds on CB&I’s existing relationship with BASF as licensor of its butadiene technology, according to the companies. The plant is scheduled to start up during 2014.
Methanex awards plant engineering deal to Jacobs for Chile-to-US relocation
Jacobs is already executing site-specific engineering and construction management for the 225-acre location in Geismar, La. from its offices in Baton Rouge, with support for the disassembly from its office in Santiago, Chile. The plant is expected to be operational the second half of 2014.
Shell picks Jacobs as European downstream services provider
Under a five-year deal, Jacobs will perform work ranging from feasibility studies and small plant modifications to discrete projects for major Shell refining and chemical sites.
Invista, LanzaTech to jointly develop bio-butadiene
According to the deal, INVISTA and LanzaTech will collaborate on projects to develop one-step and two-step technologies to convert industrial waste gas carbon monoxide into butadiene, the companies said. Initial commercialization is expected in 2016. Investment terms were not disclosed.
Formosa shuts Taiwan styrene plant following fire
The facility, part of Formosa Chemicals' flagship Mailiao petrochemical complex in Yunlin county, produces intermediate petrochemicals for other units under the Formosa Group and for other small local customers. The fire the fire was extinguished within around half an hour after it started.
- BASF’s Intermediates division produces entire portfolio of acid chlorides and chloroformates at its Ludwigshafen site using renewable electricity credits 3/23
- LG Chem shuts down 800,000-tpy Yeosu naphtha cracker 3/23
- French Energy Ministry considers increasing oil refining capacity 3/23
- Schneider Electric global study shows energy industry ramping up investment in autonomous operations by 2030 as AI reshapes performance 3/23
- Middle East shock gives Dangote refinery leverage as cheap imports dry up 3/23
- Refiners in India, elsewhere in Asia look to buy Iranian oil after U.S. waives sanctions 3/23
