Petrochemicals
Westlake launches ethylene expansion project at Lake Charles complex
This expansion will be completed in conjunction with a planned maintenance turnaround and will increase ethane-based ethylene capacity by approximately 230-240 million lbs/year in support of the company's ethylene integration strategy, according to Westlake company officials.
US shale boom to spur manufacturing growth, but not energy independence
The US currently imports approximately half its daily consumption of 19 million bpd of oil and remains both the largest importer and consumer of oil. Conservation and the shale revolution would not eliminate upward pressure on prices from rising emerging market demand.
Methanex to temporarily shut down Chile plant amid poor gas supply
Methanex is currently operating one plant in Chile at low operating rates. In 2013, planned output from this plant represents less than 5% of the company's total production, CEO John Floren said.
Dow restarts long-idled Louisiana olefins cracker
According to Dow, the St. Charles plant located near Hanville, La., began producing on-spec ethylene on Dec. 25, meeting previously announced goals to restart the site by the end of 2012. The St. Charles cracker, which was idled in January 2009, reportedly has a capacity of 380,000 tpy.
Egypt removes anti-dumping fees on polypropylene imports from Saudi Arabia
The north African country has been investigating since April protective measures and anti-dumping fees imposed on Saudi imports due to claims that they are damaging its industry, Prince Salman said. The investigation discovered that the damage was caused by other factors.
Arkieva upgrades supply chain software for INEOS
INEOS upgraded to version 4.6 of the suite, which will enable them to benefit from the latest features of the software, such as improved analytics and performance monitoring, and also allow better integration with the latest Windows version, according to company officials.
US advocacy group calls on Sasol to terminate Iran polyethylene business
Sasol maintains an active presence in Iran through the Arya Sasol Polymer Company (ASPC), which operates two polyethylene plants in Iran. The company is a $900 million joint venture between Sasol and Iran's state-owned National Petrochemical Company (NPC).
Technip to design Mosaic Louisiana ammonia plant
Mosaic’s preference is to locate the proposed plant adjacent to the company’s existing Faustina fertilizer manufacturing operations in St. James Parish, Louisiana. It would have a capacity of 2,200 tpd.
Improve your plantwide steam network
When optimizing an existing steam network, design and process engineers need a complete understanding of all aspects of the existing system. Accurate energy and material balances must be established.
HP Brief
Uncertainty looms in EU economyEuropean chemicals output contracted by 2% in 2012 compared with 2011, according to European chemicals group Cefic. By lowering its forecast released in September, the c..
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- Axens acquires Methanol-to-Propylene technology, expanding its SAF portfolio 7/2
- Lighthouse Green Fuels completes FEED for UK SAF project 7/2
- XRG acquires additional equity interest in Trains 4 and 5 of the Rio Grande LNG project (U.S.) 7/2
- Opinion: Putin's diesel export ban risks new fuel shock 7/2
- Nigeria becomes first OPEC member to join IEA as associate member 7/2
