Polymers
Sasol in talks to sell Iran petrochemical operations
Sasol, the world's largest producer of motor fuels from coal, has a 50% stake in Arya Sasol Polymer Co., a $900 million Iranian petrochemical project. The company said last year it was putting the business up for sale. "Strategically it didn't make sense to stay," said CEO David Constable.
Oxea starts construction on China derivatives plant
The Nanjing plant will produce specialty esters, phthalate-free plasticizers and other oxo derivatives for the local market. Oxea expects the new plant to be mechanically complete at the end of 2013.
Clariant opens new AMPS polymers plant in Spain
Two separate lines will produce polymers for the industrial and consumer specialties unit and the company's oil and mining services business. These range from emulsifiers and rheology modifiers for use in face creams, to fluid loss control additives for well cements used in oil and gas drilling.
Russia's SIBUR establishes polypropylene trading groups in Turkey, Ukraine
The new trading arms will enhance SIBUR’s flexibility in adjusting to clients’ needs, give the company extra competitive edge in strategic markets, and increase sales through access to end consumers, according to the company. Turkey is one of the global leaders for polypropylene consumption.
TPC Group begins engineering work to expand US polyisobutylene capacity
TPC Group first entered the market in May 2000 with the startup of its patented PIB process. Since that time, the company has grown significantly through multiple expansions to become the largest producer in North America. TPC supplies the market from its Houston production facility.
Honeywell to supply automation for Borouge UAE polyolefins expansion
Honeywell will be the main automation contractor (MAC) for this project, providing Linde and other engineering, procurement and construction contractors involved in the project with integrated control and safety systems. Honeywell’s technologies were previously implemented at the Borouge UAE site.
Shell to raise polyol capacity at Singapore complex
The upgrade will increase the Singapore plant's capacity to produce polyols -- industrial chemicals used to make high-quality foams -- by more than 100,000 metric tpy to 360,000 tpy. The company didn't provide any financial details but said it expects to complete the upgrade in 2014.
HP Boxscore Construction Analysis: 2013 global construction outlook
The downstream industry is investing billions of dollars in the development and construction of grassroots facilities, along with expansions and upgrades to existing plants.
HP Viewpoint: Interview with UOP
Hydrocarbon Processing had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Rajeev Gautam, president and CEO of UOP, A Honeywell Co., and discuss several high-level factors impacting the global hydrocarbon processing..
EU monthly chemicals production nudges higher
A 1.5% production expansion in November was due mainly to the strong output growth in petrochemicals, whose output rose by 6.6%. Specialty chemicals output continued to increase, up by 2.0% in November 2012 on a year-on-year basis. Consumer chemicals dropped, however, by 2.1%.
- ExxonMobil plans 1 Blbs/yr of advanced recycling by 2027 11/22
- Gauging the likely Trump effect on U.S. energy and power sectors 11/22
- Russia's Lukoil restoring cracker at NORSI refinery, gasoline output rising 11/22
- Nigeria's local currency crude sales fall short of target, Dangote refinery says 11/22
- U.S. October gasoline imports hit post-pandemic low on slump in European shipments 11/22
- Clean Hydrogen Works awards McDermott FEED contract for Ascension Clean Energy (ACE) project 11/21
