Petrochemicals
Technip to buy Shaw energy, chemicals business
Shaw is selling the segment to Technip for $300 million in cash, adding that further collaborations between the two companies are possible for Shaw’s core business units. The companies further agreed to work toward developing future business relationships involving Shaw’s core business units.
WR Grace eyes new China refining catalysts plant
W. R. Grace has signed an agreement with the Qingdao Bureau of Commerce for an investment in China to manufacture fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts and other related products for the refining industry. Construction dates and financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.
Georgia Gulf, Segetis to collaborate on bio-based polyvinyl chloride in US
Georgia Gulf has agreed to collaborate with Segetis to offer a new flexible vinyl compound based on Javelin technology bio-plasticizers from Segetis. This is the second collaboration to develop bio-based flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds announced in 2012 by Georgia Gulf, the company noted.
Cytec aims to sell coating resins business this year
Cytec Industries has begun a formal sale process for its coating resins business, the US-based specialty materials company said on Monday. Cytec does not intend to give further updates on the sale process until a transaction is announced, which is estimated to occur later in 2012.
Fluor finishes China polysilicon plant for LDK Solar
Fluor Corp. has completed construction for LDK Solar’s polysilicon plant in Xinyu City, China, one of the largest such production facility in the world. Fluor said it continues to provide debottlenecking services at the plant and is implementing new technologies to increase production.
Albemarle to shutter phosphorous product lines
Albemarle said Thursday that it plans to exit its existing phosphorous flame retardants business, citing a need to restructure its business portfolio and address underperforming assets. Production at both facilities will cease upon completion of customer contracts, according to the company.
SABIC chief seeks more collaboration for US, Saudi business leaders
Mohamed Al-Mady, CEO of SABIC, is calling for “more productive engagement” between US companies and the Saudi private sector to further enhance business relations.
Lightning sparks fire at Pennsylvania coatings plant of Dow Chemical
Dow Chemical said an early Wednesday lightning strike hit two storage tanks holding ethyl acetate and butyl acetate at its Bristol coatings plant near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The fire broke out at 3:35 a.m. local time. Employees at the site were evacuated and none were injured, Dow said.
LSB shuts Arkansas chemical plant after explosion
LSB Industries said its El Dorado chemical facility in Arkansas suffered significant damage to the DSN concentrated nitric acid plant and surrounding equipment when a reactor exploded Tuesday morning. The El Dorado facility is out of operation at the present time due to the damage.
Tronox, US to face off against Anadarko in $25bn environmental lawsuit
Creditors of Tronox joined by the US government are poised to square off with Anadarko Petroleum and former Tronox parent Kerr-McGee in a $25 billion environmental lawsuit that seeks to assign blame for the chemical company's "toxic past." Tronox, which makes TiO2, filed for Chapter 11 in early 2009.
- 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
- HWI officially opens state-of-the-art Fulton (U.S.) lightweight monolithics facility 3/23
