Petrochemicals
China mandates environmental insurance program for chemical factories
China's Ministry of Environmental Protection said its pilot insurance plan is now mandatory for mining and smelting producers, lead-acid battery manufacturers, leather goods producers and chemical factories. Petrochemical companies are "encouraged to be insured," the ministry said in a statement.
C3 Petrochemicals plans new Texas PDH plant
If the application is approved, C3 Petrochemicals will build a new propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant near Alvin, Texas, to produce polymer- and chemical-grade propylene.
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.
SIBUR to build methanol separating unit in Russia
Low methanol content is a requirement of many consumers. The new unit will be the next step in SIBUR’s ongoing goal to lower the content of methanol in the propane fraction, this time in a range not exceeding 50 parts per million, according to the company. Financial terms were not disclosed.
BASF awards engineering work to Fluor on German toluene diisocyanate plant
The single-train, 300,000 tpy plant will produce TDI and expand additional plants as precursors for polyurethanes at the BASF site in Ludwigshafen. Production is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2014.
EmberClear finishes technical study on Mississippi gas-to-liquids proposal
If the project proceeds, it will be capable of producing 4,000 tpd of methanol or 14,000 bpd of gasoline. This project's proximity to cheaper sources of gas and the Gulf Coast petrochemical hub creates the potential for attractive pricing, efficient access to markets and multiple modes of transportation.
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.
KBR licenses technology to Bolivia ammonia plant
The fertilizer ammonia complex will be designed using KBR’s Purifier technology. KBR will additionally supply proprietary operator training simulators and a steam dynamic simulation study to ensure a safe, fast, efficient startup of the ammonia plant and continued support to the operations.
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.
KBR to design new Indonesia ammonia, urea plant
The plant will be designed using KBR’s Purifier technology, which has demonstrated higher reliability than conventional designs and offers the lowest proven energy consumption in the industry. Construction of the grassroots facility is part of a consortium between Rekayasa and Toyo Engineering.
- OXEA confirms final investment decision for major capacity expansion at plant 7/10
- TotalEnergies ships to Asia the first cargo produced by the ECA LNG plant 7/10
- ADNOC L&S expands LNG fleet with order for four new carriers 7/10
- India's ONGC plans to build 13-MMbbl national strategic oil reserve 7/10
- Russian refineries, oil terminal, tankers hit, Ukraine says 7/10
- Tajikistan says it has 60 days' fuel in reserve amid Russian supply crunch 7/10

