Petrochemicals
US chemical group sees slow 2012 improvement, led by shale gas
Despite a slowdown in the US economic recovery, the outlook for the nation’s chemicals manufacturing industry is more encouraging, according to the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) 2011 Year-End Situation and Outlook. The key to the domestic chemical industry’s recovery is access to vast, new supplies of natural gas from previously untapped shale deposits, the council says.
Formosa Petrochemical, CPC in supply deal talks
CPC Corp. is in talks to procure base petrochemicals, such as propylene and ethylene, from Formosa Petrochemical to ensure future supply as a CPC 23-million metric ton-a-year naphtha cracker is set to close in the first quarter for a year-long capacity upgrade, senior executives from the companies said Monday.
DuPont cuts profit outlook on weakening demand
US-based chemicals major DuPont on Friday lowered its 2011 full-year earnings outlook to a range of $3.87-$3.95 earnings per share (EPS), excluding significant items – down from a forecast last month of $3.97-$4.05/share. The projected earnings still represent an 18% to 20% increase from 2010.
Dow to expand Asia-Pacific cellulosic ether output
Dow Chemical says it is planning to expand its cellulosic production capacity, particularly for construction-grade applications, with a geographic focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Decisions regarding the location and capacity of assets will be made upon completion of a feasibility study.
Saudi Polymers JV to start up integrated petchem complex in Q1 2012
Saudi Polymers Co. (SPCo) – the joint venture comprised of Chevron Phillips Chemical and partner National Petrochemical Co. – has completed construction of its petrochemical manufacturing facility located in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Commercial production is expected in the first quarter of 2012.
PPG launches plan to secure additional TiO2 supply
US-based paints and coatings major PPG Industries said Tuesday it has undertaken a strategic initiative with multiple global suppliers to secure and enhance its supply of titanium dioxide (TiO2), as well as add to the global supply of the raw material. TiO2 prices have soared in recent years amid dwindling supply.
Qatar Petroleum, Shell plan $6.4bn petrochemical project by 2017
Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, minister of energy and industry in Qatar, and Shell CEO Peter Voser each signed an agreement Monday to develop a world-scale petrochemicals complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar. Project officials estimated at a press conference that the project will cost $6.4 billion, with operations starting up in 2017.
Linde to build hydrogen plant at northeast China chemical complex
The Linde Group says it will build and operate a new hydrogen plant in the Jilin Chemical Industrial Park (JCIP) in northeast China. The hydrogen plant is expected to come on stream by the end of 2013, supplying several companies in the Jilin chemical complex with high-purity hydrogen.
Sinopec, SK mulling China ethylene joint venture
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (SNP), or Sinopec, said Friday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation with Korea's SK Group. The two companies say they will continue to discuss joint investment in an 800,000 tpy ethylene project in Wuhan in central China.
Optimize capacity for large ethylene oxide reactors
Many factors must be considered in fine-tuning unit design
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