Europe
Huntsman may close Swiss textile chemicals plant
Huntsman said that its textile effects (TE) division plans to implement a significant restructuring, including the possible closure of its production facilities and business support offices in Basel, Switzerland. The planned restructuring and the possible closures could affect approximately 600 positions in Basel, with potentially 500 job losses and 100 positions moving to other sites across the organization, to build capability closer to customers.
Celanese opens German engineered polymer plant
US-based specialty chemicals firm Celanese has opened its polyoxymethylene (POM) production facility in Frankfurt Hoechst Industrial Park in Germany. With a nameplate capacity of 140,000 tpy, Celanese’s new POM plant will be the world’s largest and strengthens the company’s Ticona engineering polymers business, including its global operations and advanced technical capabilities, the company said.
Netherlands opens first LNG terminal in Rotterdam
The Netherlands on Friday opened its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Maasvlakte near Rotterdam, proceeding with plans to become a regional gas distribution hub.
Oiltanking, PERN sign JV for Poland liquids terminal
Oiltanking and petroleum logistics firm PERN have signed a joint venture to jointly develop and construct a terminal for the storage and handling of bulk liquids in the Port of Gdansk, Poland. The terminal will potentially be able to store and handle crude oil, refined oil and petrochemical products.
Strategic buyers lead chemical M&A revival - report
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the global chemicals industry surged following the recession, driven by interest from strategic buyers in the specialty chemical sector, according to a report issued Wednesday from Fitch Ratings.
Neste Oil starts Rotterdam renewable diesel plant
Neste Oil has successfully started up Europe's largest renewable diesel plant in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the company said on Tuesday. Production of NExBTL renewable diesel at the new plant will be ramped up on a phased basis.
FMC Technologies to supply subsea equipment in North Sea
FMC Technologies has been awarded a contract by BG Group for the manufacture and supply of subsea production equipment to support the Knarr oil and gas field.
EIA sees $125/bbl oil in 2035 amid rising demand from China, India
Global oil prices are likely to remain high, but oil consumption should continue to grow, with both conventional and unconventional liquids used to meet rising demand, according to the International Energy Outlook (IEO2011) study released Monday by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Neste Oil to sell Belgium polyalphaolefin plant to Chevron Phillips Chemical
Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) has agreed to acquire a polyalphaolefin (PAO) plant located in Beringen, Belgium, from Neste Oil.
Sulzer opens first Russia pumps service center
Sulzer Pumps will soon open its first service center in Russia. Located in Khimki, Moscow, the new service center will provide repair and retrofit service for industrial pumping systems for Russian customers, the company said.
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