Petrochemicals
NPRA to change name in 2012 to American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
Charles T. Drevna, president of the US-based National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) trade group, announced on Tuesday that NPRA will change its name in January 2012 to the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM).
Dow, OxyChem form chlorocarbon venture to meet rising refrigerants demand
Dow Chemical and Occidental Chemical (OxyChem) intend to form a joint venture to manufacture and market a new chlorocarbon solution that is a building block for advanced climate-friendly refrigerants, initially for use in automobile air conditioning systems.
Dow to spend $25mn/yr on US university R&D work
Dow Chemical has increased its investment in research and development programs with leading US universities with a $25 million/year commitment for 10 years. The investment will be distributed among 11 institutions to strengthen research in traditional scientific fields important to Dow and to the nation’s future, the company said.
PolyOne to buy specialty additives firm ColorMatrix
US-based specialty polymers firm PolyOne has agreed to acquire ColorMatrix, a leading global innovator in liquid colorants, additives and fluoropolymers, in a deal worth $486 million.
Oxea raises syngas capacity by 10% at Texas plant
Global chemical producer Oxea has increased its manufacturing capacity for syngas by 10% at its plant in Bay City, Texas, it said on Monday, seeking to further optimize its value-adding chains and boost product availability.
Halliburton acquires oilfield service firm Multi-Chem
Energy products and services major Halliburton has completed its previously-announced acquisition of oilfield chemicals firm Multi-Chem. Initially announced in September, the acquisition further strengthens Halliburton’s total offering while improving its competitiveness in a rapidly expanding global business, the company said.
US shale boom lifts petrochemical exports - report
The US shale gas exploration and production boom continues to fuel significant cost advantages for North American commodity chemicals producers as relative costs of natural gas and oil-based feedstocks remain far apart, according to a new report from credit-watch firm Fitch Ratings.
Braskem closes on deal for Dow polypropylene unit
Dow Chemical said on Friday that it closed on the $340 million sale of its global polypropylene (PP) business to Brazil-based Braskem. In addition to the transaction, which was first announced in July, the two companies said they would continue to evaluate potential future collaborations.
Shell shuts down large Singapore refinery after fire
Shell is in the process of shutting down its 500,000 bpd refinery in Pulau Bukom, Singapore, following the recent fire at the facility, company officials said on Thursday. The fire, which began on Wednesday and may have been started during maintenance work, has been extinguished. However, there are still traces of fuel vapor, according to Shell officials.
Yara opens fertilizer import terminal in Louisiana
Yara has opened its new NOLA import fertilizer terminal in Convent, St. James Parish, La., located approximately 60 miles up the Mississippi River from New Orleans. With its opening, the fully-operational terminal will provide increased access to imported urea to agricultural markets both locally and throughout the Midwest and Eastern US via rail.
- EPA finalizes historic new renewable fuel standards to strengthen American energy security 3/30
- The role of integrated biorefineries in achieving alternative fuel goals 3/30
- The entire Itabus fleet travels with Enilive HVO diesel biofuel 3/30
- Czech government agrees to release 100,000 tonnes of crude from reserves 3/30
- South Korea's LG Chem to import Russian naphtha 3/30
- PetroChina says operations 'overall normal', Strait of Hormuz accounts for about 10% of its supplies 3/30

