Petrochemicals
European butadiene producers plot exports to US
The newfound love for shale gas in the US is leaving their petrochemicals industry in the dark, as crude oil feedstock for butadiene production goes out of vogue, and Europe is reaping the benefits. Indeed, US butadiene consumers are increasingly relying on foreign imports, says the report.
Dow Chemical to shut 20 plants, cut 2,400 jobs
Dow's CEO Andrew Liveris says the cutbacks demonstrate a resolve to tightly manage operations, particularly in Europe, while mitigating the impact of a "slow-growth environment". With the moves, Dow expects to save $500 million in annual operating costs by the end of 2014.
Dow unveils new elastomers project for US Gulf
Dow says the production facility, when operational in 2016, will leverage its investment plan to increase ethylene and propylene production in the US Gulf Coast and will connect US operations into feedstock opportunities available from increasing supplies of US shale gas.
NGL profitability weakens amid rising US supply
Prices for natural gas liquids (NGLs) have dropped precipitously this year amid growing supplies, weakening margins for a key driver of US shale development. But extracting NGLs, such as ethane, propane and butane remains more attractive than producing dry natural gas, the report says.
Air Products launches US Gulf hydrogen network
Air Products had operated two hydrogen pipeline systems in Texas and Louisiana before joining them with a new 180-mile segment. The new GCCP network is now able to provide hydrogen to customers along the 600-mile pipeline span from over 20 hydrogen production facilities.
HPI spending pegged for slight increase in 2013
Even with healthy predictions for expenditures, market players are remaining cautious when making decisions on key projects as they await regulatory clarity. The forecast breaks out capital spending to reach $57.6 billion and maintenance spending to reach $69 billion.
US chemicals outlook bolstered by expansion of shale gas market – PwC
Further downstream, specialty chemical entities are starting to feel the effects of natural gas and NGL prices on their business models. As the commercial distribution of ethane and ethane-based raw materials increases, it could trigger new innovations and investment in new technologies.
PPG to acquire US industrial coatings firm Spraylat
Privately-owned Spraylat holds a strong position in industrial markets such as automotive parts, architectural powder coatings, transportation, and general industrial niches, including mirror, electronic device, metal office furniture and storage, and sign coatings, according to PPG officials.
CB&I licenses technology to China coal group for new polypropylene project
The new plant will use the Novolen advanced gas-phase polymerization technology for the production of the full scope of polypropylene homopolymers, random copolymers and impact copolymers. The 200,000 tpy polypropylene project is expected to start up operations in 2014.
Petronas, LanzaTech agree to develop acetic acid from waste gases
In this collaboration, the two firms say they will work together to extend the technology to include carbon dioxide (CO2) containing gases from several sources, including refinery off gases and natural gas wells, to produce acetic acid. Investment terms were not disclosed.
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