Petrochemicals
Chevron Phillips to expand Texas alpha olefins unit
Company officials say the investment reflects Chevron Phillips Chemical’s strategy to leverage North American shale gas development by continuing to grow US-based olefins and polyolefins units.
Braskem to build new polyethylene plant at Texas Gulf Coast complex
The new plant in Texas will manufacture ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), making it the first time for Braskem to produce UHMWPE outside of its home base in Brazil.
Haldor Topsoe to build new Brazil production plant for automotive catalysts
The facility will focus on manufacturing catalysts that can remove dangerous nitrogen oxides as well as particulates and hydrocarbons from the engine exhaust of diesel vehicles such as buses and trucks.
HB Fuller buys engineering adhesives firm Tonsan
With this acquisition, HB Fuller will add strong customer relationships in engineering adhesives markets, new manufacturing facilities, and strong product and technology development capabilities.
Afton Chemical breaks ground on new Singapore chemical additives plant
Designed and located to support the growth of the Asia-Pacific and Middle East markets, the plant will start to produce components in January 2016 to support the next generation of additive solutions.
Dow Chemical set to begin construction on new Texas ethane cracker
The projects announced for the Freeport site represent many workers, with 4,000 required for construction of multiple feedstocks, derivatives and supporting infrastructure projects.
Clariant to build catalyst R&D center in Shanghai
The R&D center is expected to begin operation by 2015 with the goal of developing catalytic solutions tailored to Chinese market requirements and enhancing technical service support to local customers.
US chemical activity barometer continues uptrend
Measured on a three-month moving average (3MMA), the ACC Chemical Activity Barometer's 0.5% gain beat the average first quarter monthly gains of 0.3%.
Phillips 66 buys specialty lubricants firm Spectrum
"The acquisition of Spectrum complements our strong-performing Lubricants business by increasing our access to specialized global lubricants markets and is in line with our strategy to selectively grow our marketing and specialties segment," said Tim Taylor, president of Phillips 66.
Europe to raise annual chemical output in 2014
European chemicals output will grow by 2.0% this year, driven by rising demand from customer industries, particularly car-makers, and some stabilization in the construction industry.
- 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
