Petrochemicals
Uhde wins FEED work for Sibur PP plant in Russia
The 500,000 tpy plant is planned to be constructed in Tobolsk, Tyumen Region, in West Siberia. The plant will produce a wide range of high-quality polypropylene brands for use, for example, in textile and packaging applications as well as in the production of automotive body parts and consumer goods.
Petrobras picks Foster Wheeler for engineering on Brazil gas-to-chemicals project
Foster Wheeler will act as integrator for the entire complex. The project is expected to produce in excess of 1 million tpy of ammonia and urea fertilizers, methanol, acetic acid, plus formic acid and melamine, helping to reduce Brazil's imports of these products. Financial terms were not disclosed.
US chemical activity index nudges higher in August
The American Chemistry Council's chemical activity barometer grew by 0.4% from July and 1.1% from August 2011, reflecting gradual economic growth and several positive US industry trends. The CAB is a leading economic indicator derived from a composite index of chemical industry activity.
A Schulman acquires US compounder ECM Plastics
The deal is valued at $36.5 million and should close in September. "With ECM’s expertise in custom color matching, higher-value compounding and specialty additive formulations, we believe they are an excellent strategic fit as we continue to focus on niche products," said Joseph M. Gingo, Schulman CEO.
BASF joins collaboration to develop bio-acrylic acid
BASF, Cargill and Novozymes recently signed an agreement to develop bio-based technologies to produce acrylic acid from renewable feedstocks. The annual global market volume of acrylic acid is around 4.5 million tons, with a value of $11 billion at the end of 2011.
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.
- U.S. labor board judge rules Exxon's Texas refinery union lockout was legal 11/28
- U.S. crude stocks fall, gasoline and distillate inventories rise 11/28
- Maersk could use 15%–20% alternative fuels for its fleet in 2030 11/28
- Germany's BSW pushes to restore Russian oil to Schwedt refinery, seeks regional legitimacy 11/28
- Asia likely to benefit from cheaper Canadian, Mexican oil if Trump imposes tariffs 11/28
- Singapore distillates stocks tick up for fifth week 11/28
