Economics
Asia: China
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced in its January 2012 “World Economic Outlook” that the global GDP growth rate was 3.8% in 2011. However, Asian-Pacific nations bucked this tren..
South America: Venezuela
Fig. 1 illustrates the annual gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation from 2006 to 2011 for Venezuela. High crude oil prices have helped domestic GDP growth, suggesting a healthy economy. ..
South America: Brazil
Brazil’s economic improvement was remarkable over the past decade, following many years of slow growth. On average, the Brazilian gross output of goods and services increased at an annual average..
Asia: India
The Indian economy has come a long way since the 1991 economic reforms. A decade and a half of economic reform and globalization is yielding returns that cut across all income groups. The domestic eco..
Asia: Japan
The Japanese economy showed steady recovery for 2003–2007. However, due to the global recession in late 2008, Japan’s GDP growth decreased to –1% in 2008 and to –5.5% in 2009. Due ..
Europe: United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) is Europe’s fourth largest chemical economy, after Germany, France and Italy. It accounts for 8% of the European Union’s (EU’s) $900 billion overall chemical pro..
Surviving and thriving in era of enhanced OSHA PSM audits
The US agency is developing special emphasis programs to target specific industries, notably refining and chemicals, with owners facing rigid inspections and stiffer fines.
Keep it simple: Three key elements to fighting flammable liquid fires
Simple, hardy equipment, high-quality foam concentrate, and having a good understanding of the hazardous situation will remain the three keys to success, says the author.
Update on the greenhouse gas regulation by the US EPA
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began regulating the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) on January 2, 2011. Its long-awaited GHG controls guidance document, PSD and Title V Permitting G..
Consider new technologies to raise diesel yield in bottom-of-barrel products
The debate continues over adding a new delayed coker vs. a residue hydrocracker upstream of an existing delayed coker.
- UPM unlocks new bio-based markets as Leuna biorefinery produces its first commercial product 12/19
- Stamicarbon awarded technology licensing contract for new urea plant in Eastern China 12/19
- Ford takes $19.5-B writedown on EV business 12/19
- Babcock & Wilcox awarded $40-MM contract for advanced wet gas scrubbing technology at Canadian petroleum refinery 12/19
- Aarti Industries secures methanol and toluene feedstock supply through multiple long-term contracts 12/19
- bp picks first outsider CEO Meg O'Neill after abrupt Auchincloss exit 12/19
