Europe
FMC to acquire Europe persulfates business of RheinPerChemie
US-based chemicals firm FMC Corp. has agreed to acquire the European persulfates business of RheinPerChemie GmbH from Unionchimica SpA. The acquisition will strengthen FMC Peroxygens' global reach by establishing a market position for persulfates in Europe, company officials said.
Braskem to buy global polypropylene business of Dow Chemical for $340mn
US-based Dow Chemical has agreed to sell its polypropylene (PP) business for $340 million to Braskem, a move which makes Braskem the top polypropylene producer in North America. The assets involved in the deal include two manufacturing plants in the US and two in Germany, with a total annual polypropylene production capacity of 2.3 billion pounds.
Süd-Chemie starts work to build cellulosic ethanol plant in Germany
Specialty chemicals firm Süd-Chemie has begun construction at Straubing in southern Germany of a €28mn plant to produce cellulosic ethanol from agricultural waste materials.
Cabot plans 25% expansion for Europe fumed silica
Cabot will expand production capacity by 25% at its fumed silica facility in Barry, Wales, company officials said on Monday. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2012 and is part of a three-year plan to increase Cabot’s global fumed metal oxide capacity by 35% to 40%.
Norway bomb blast targeted oil ministry - reports
The bombing that rocked Oslo, Norway, on Friday appeared to target the nation’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, according to local media reports. The explosion blew out the windows of a large government office building and damaged several others, including one that holds the prime minister’s office, according to the Washington Post.
US shale wave weakens petroleum market share for Russia, Iran, Venezuela - study
Rising US natural gas production from shale formations has already played a critical role in weakening Russia’s ability to wield an "energy weapon" over its European customers, and this trend will accelerate in the coming decades, according to a new study from Rice University’s Baker Institute.
Solutia to supply heat transfer fluid for Spain solar projects
US-based specialty chemicals firm Solutia has been awarded contracts to supply its Therminol VP-1 synthetic heat transfer fluid for two new solar power plants in Spain, it said on Thursday.
Praxair starts up new Germany air separation unit
Praxair has started up a new air separation unit at its complex in Hurth, Germany, the industrial gases company said on Wednesday. With a capacity of 1,800 tons/day, the new facility more than doubles Praxair Deutschland’s total capacity at the site.
BASF plans Bahrain plastic additives plant for 2012 to meet rising Middle East demand
BASF will significantly expand its presence in the Middle East region by building a state-of-the-art plant for antioxidant blends (CSB) in Bahrain, the Germany-based chemicals major said on Wednesday. CSBs are key additives for the production of polymers for the plastics industry, especially for the Middle East region.
ConocoPhillips to spin off downstream business
ConocoPhillips’ board of directors has approved the separation of the company’s Refining & Marketing and Exploration & Production businesses into two stand-alone, publicly traded corporations via a tax-free spin of the refining and marketing business to shareholders.
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- 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
