Petrochemicals
CB&I licenses process technology for new China acid alkylation project
The alkylation unit, the first of its kind in China, will use the AlkyClean process technology partnered by CB&I's technology operating group, Albemarle and Neste Oil. It is expected to be capable of producing 100,000 tpy of alkylate. The project is scheduled for startup in early 2014.
OCI to expand Texas methanol, ammonia complex
The debottlenecking project will increase methanol capacity by 25% to 875,000 tpy. It will also raise ammonia capacity by 15% to 292,000 tpy. OCI said it will adhere to the "highest safety standards in the industry" during its expansion operations, which are expected to conclude in late 2014.
Rosneft, Mitsui plan Russia Far East olefins project
The processing capacity of the Far East petrochemical complex is planned at 3.4 million tpy of hydrocarbon feedstock, predominantly naphtha. The capacity of ethylene and propylene production unit is planned at 2 million tpy. Rosneft and Mitsui expect the complex to start up in 2017.
ICA Fluor wins work to expand DuPont titanium dioxide plant in Mexico
ICA Fluor will be responsible for the construction, construction management and material management services for the TiO2 production facility. It is scheduled for completion in 2015.
Methanex approves second plant relocation from Chile to US
The Geismar II project includes their 1 million tpy methanol plant, which is expected to be operational by early 2016. The second phase is likely to cost $550 million. The global demand outlook for methanol is favorable and demand is expected to outpace capacity additions in the industry, the company says.
Brazil announces stimulus package for ethanol, petrochemical producers
The Brazilian government is hoping that lower taxes on the country's sugarcane ethanol and petrochemical industries will help boost the competitiveness of exports.
Momentive opens new Thailand coating resin plant
The new plant significantly expands Momentive’s production of acrylic-based resins in the region. The site, located in the Pinthong Industrial Estate Park, is capable of producing the latest generation of acrylic resins designed for use primarily in coatings, adhesives, and building and construction applications.
Crosstex to build Louisiana NGL fractionation unit, picks UOP technology
Under the deal, UOP will build and install the UOP Russell fractionation equipment that is designed to extract ethane and propane -- highly in demand as petrochemical feedstocks for producing ethylene and propylene, two building blocks for plastics -- from mixed natural gas liquids (NGL) streams.
Singapore shifts energy focus from refining to specialty chemicals
These days, attracting new refinery projects isn't a "specific aim" of the EDB, a government agency that promotes Singapore as an investment destination. They instead want new investment in specialty chemicals, which they say isn't as crowded with competitors.
Dyno Nobel picks KBR for Louisiana ammonia plant construction, technology
The 800,000 tpy ammonia facility will be designed using KBR’s Purifier technology, which has a documented track record of safe and reliable operations and offers the lowest energy consumption in the industry, according to company officials. The contract award is valued at approximately $600 million.
- ABB Ethernet-APL flowmeters to support digitalization at a large petrochemical complex in China 7/2
- Axens acquires Methanol-to-Propylene technology, expanding its SAF portfolio 7/2
- XRG acquires additional equity interest in Trains 4 and 5 of the Rio Grande LNG project (U.S.) 7/2
- 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

