Petrochemicals
DuPont expands China R&D hub for biomaterials
With this expansion, the DuPont China R&D Center in Shanghai will add 17,500 square meters and house an additional 150 researchers. Those researchers will focus on new material applications in solar energy, bio-based materials and automotive materials and testing capabilities.
INEOS inks deal to save Grangemouth refinery
INEOS will imminently restart its Grangemouth refining and petrochemical complex in Scotland after local trade union Unite agreed to the company's survival plan.
Foster Wheeler wins work on Saudi concept study for Jazan petrochemicals
Foster Wheeler’s scope of work includes development of the overall concept for the project, which is planned to include a world-scale linear alkyl benzene plant and a range of units producing specialty chemicals derived from diesel feedstock. The study is scheduled for completion in early 2014.
US exports of NGLs poised to quadruple by 2020
The Panama Canal expansion, slated for completion in 2015, will allow the transit of large tankers and put costs to ship US gas liquids to Asia on a par with deliveries from the Middle East, according to Sanford C. Bernstein. US exports would jump to 20 million metric tons by 2020 from the current 5 million tons.
Pemex sees 25% increase in petrochemicals with energy reform
Mexico’s state-owned oil and gas company Pemex expects its petrochemical production to rise 25% to 10 million tpy if a sweeping energy policy overhaul is approved.
Methanex to sell 10% stake in Egypt methanol JV
The methanol facility started commercial operations in 2011. The plant is located in Damietta, Egypt, on the Mediterranean Sea and is among the most energy efficient methanol plants in the world. The plant, which can produce 1.3 million tpy of methanol, supplies both local and global methanol markets.
GS Caltex selects CB&I as technology provider for new Korea paraxylene unit
The unit will use the BP paraxylene technology, exclusively licensed by CB&I, and will have a world-scale design capacity. The technology employs an innovative energy-efficient crystallization process to produce paraxylene. Start-up of the new plant is expected in 2016.
ICA Fluor to revamp Mexichem, Pemex VCM plant
ICA Fluor will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance and commissioning services to bring the VCM facility to its nameplate capacity of 405,000 tpy, up from its current rate of 200,000 tpy. The project is planned to be completed in the 2015 fourth quarter.
Global HPI spending likely to jump 15% in 2014
Newfound optimism stems from rising availability of gas supplies in several nations, rich shale reserves in North America, and a new expansion wave for petrochemicals.
Eastman to expand Texas City plasticizers plant
The expansion at the Texas City site will increase the overall capacity of Eastman 168 by about 15% and is expected to be operational by mid-2014. Investment terms were not disclosed.
- Industry collaboration brings new insights on corrosion under insulation 7/1
- IMI secures major contract to supply wireless vibration monitoring solution in Omani refinery 7/1
- KBR, ReVentas partner to scale polymer dissolution technology to recycle polyethylene and polypropylene 7/1
- Yara to reallocate capital from abandoned $2.9-B Louisiana Clean Energy complex project 7/1
- Schneider Electric to acquire Cognite in $3.1-B all cash deal 7/1
- BASF and Carlyle complete coating transaction, an enterprise value of €7.7 billion 7/1
