Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Polymers

Celanese to buy polyvinyl acetate lines of Ashland

US-based specialty chemicals firm Celanese has agreed to acquire polyvinyl acetate assets from Ashland, including its Vinac and Flexbond product lines, to support strategic growth of Celanese’s emulsion polymers business. Revenues of Vinac and Flexbond were approximately $45 million in 2010.

Dow, Saudi Aramco select Jacobs for engineering, construction of chemicals venture

Jacobs Engineering Group was awarded an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract for the Chemicals 1 Envelope of Sadara Chemical Co., the joint venture between Dow Chemical and Saudi Aramco. Construction work on the project has already started and is scheduled to be completed by early 2015.

Dow, Mitsui finalize Brazil biopolymers joint venture

Dow Chemical and Japan-based Mitsui & Co. have secured all necessary governmental regulatory approvals to complete the formation of their previously-announced 50-50 joint venture for biopolymers in Brazil. This represents the world’s largest biopolymers play and Dow’s largest investment in Brazil, a country in which Dow has operated successfully for more than 50 years.

DuPont says 2011 Asia-Pacific sales to grow 20% amid rising populations

DuPont’s East Asia president Carl J. Lukach told investors at the CLSA Asia Forum that his company is on track to generate approximately 20% sales growth this year in Asia Pacific, versus 2010 revenues of $7.3 billion. Lukach said new product and market innovations in China, India, Japan and ASEAN are driven by macro-economic factors and demographic shifts, especially a growing middle class in the region.

SABIC chief meets Chinese delegations, notes high commitment to China ops

Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) hosted senior Chinese official He Lifeng – vice party secretary of the Tianjin city government – on Friday at its headquarters in Riyadh, offering what the company said was a strong sign of support for its growing business profile in China.

GT wins order for polysilicon production equipment, technology in Saudi Arabia

GT Advanced Technologies has received a $47.7 million order for polysilicon production equipment and technology from Polysilicon Technology Co. (PTC), a company based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new contract continues a technology agreement with PTC that was first signed in 2009.

Cereplast finalizes purchase of Italy bioplastics site

US-based bioplastics firm Cereplast has completed its purchase of a manufacturing plant in Assisi (Cannara), Italy that will serve as the hub for the company's European bioplastics production. Cereplast management said it estimates the total cost of the purchase and refurbishment of the facility will be approximately €12 million.

CB&I wins engineering, technology deal for China olefins recovery units

CB&I said on Tuesday that subsidiary Lummus Technology has been awarded a contract by China Coal Shaanxi Yulin Energy & Chemical Co. for the license and engineering design of two light olefins recovery units. The startup of the first unit is expected in 2013.

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.