Petrochemicals
Hydrocarbon Processing forecasts 2012 global HPI spending to rise to $222 billion
Spending for the hydrocarbon processing industry is expected to exceed $222 billion next year, up 1.1% over 2011 spending, according to information released on Friday at Hydrocarbon Processing magazine's 38th annual HPI Forecast and Breakfast.
LANXESS, BioAmber to partner on bioplasticizers
European specialty chemicals producer LANXESS and sustainable chemicals firm BioAmber have partnered to develop succinic acid-based plasticizers that are both renewable and phthalate-free, the companies announced on Thursday.
PolyOne forms Middle East additives joint venture
Specialty polymer materials, services and solutions provider PolyOne has agreed to form a joint venture with E.A. Juffali & Brothers Co. that it says will enable the expansion of its global color, additives and inks business into the Middle East. The new joint venture will be 51% owned by PolyOne and will be based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
PPG finalizes deal for European coatings firm Dyrup
PPG Industries has finalized its purchase agreement to acquire European coatings company Dyrup A/S, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, from its owner, Monberg & Thorsen, a public holding company. The final transaction value, including assumed debt, has been set at €115 million ($160 million). Both parties have agreed on a closing date of Jan. 5, 2012, they said.
Enterprise starts up new NGL fractionator in Texas
Enterprise Products said on Tuesday that its fifth natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionator at its complex in Mont Belvieu, Texas, has begun commercial operations and is operating in excess of its nameplate capacity of 75,000 bpd. The new unit increases total nameplate capacity at the partnership’s Mont Belvieu facility to 380,000 bpd.
Arkema picks Jacobs for engineering, construction on US petrochemical projects
Jacobs Engineering has received a contract from Arkema to provide engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) services for two projects at its complex in Clear Lake, Texas. The first is for an acrylic acid expansion and the second a methyl acrylate project, company officials said.
ABB wins automation for Saudi Aramco, Dow plant
Automation technology group ABB has won the main automation contract for Sadara Chemical Co, the Saudi Arabia joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical. Work is underway on establishing Sadara and the related integrated chemical complex in Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia. When fully operational in 2015, the facility will be the largest plastics and chemicals production complex ever built in a single phase.
KBR, SK Group license advanced catalytic olefins technology to China plant
KBR was awarded a license and process design package contract for a new olefins production unit using its advanced catalytic olefins (ACO) technology. This award represents the first license using this innovative technology, the company said, which catalytically cracks naphtha and other straight run feeds to produce olefins yields which surpass those available from traditional steam cracking technology.
Elix Polymers chooses A Schulman for Europe ABS distribution
US-based plastics compounder A Schulman on Monday announced the signing of a distribution agreement with ELIX Polymers of Tarragona, Spain. Under the agreement, A Schulman has assumed responsibility for distribution of ELIX's acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) grades, which are currently marketed under the trade names of Lustran and Novodur, in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Benelux countries, France, Great Britain and Scandinavia.
Plastics compounder A Schulman sees increased buying from Europe
US-based plastics compounder A. Schulman said Friday that it expects to report earnings of about $58 million for its fiscal year ended August 31, up from prior projections of between $50 million and $52 million of adjusted net income for the year.
- Maersk to use SAF to decarbonize airfreight travel 11/29
- Foundation stone laid for 1.2-MMtpy blue ammonia plant in Qatar 11/29
- 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
