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Americas

US EPA proposes new emissions cuts for domestic PVC plants

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed stronger standards that require facilities that produce polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to reduce emissions of harmful toxics.

Koch Pipeline wins API’s top safety, environmental award for 2010

Koch Pipeline Co. employees won the API 2010 distinguished award for outstanding safety and environmental performance, considered the API’s highest award in the field, the company said.

URS acquires civil engineering firm BP Barber

URS Corp. today announced it has acquired BP Barber, a privately-held civil engineering firm specializing in water and wastewater infrastructure and headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.

Phoenix Contact adds two new SIL-rated relays designed for process safety

Phoenix Contact has expanded its range of process safety relays, with the PSR-FSP2/2x1 and PSR–FSP/2x1 additions operating as safe interposing relays specifically designed to work with fail-safe controls in process applications.

Kobelco opens new compressor plant in California

Kobe Steel subsidiary Kobelco Compressors America (KCA) has opened a new $20 million factory in Corona, California, that will double its manufacturing capacity of compressor systems, the company said on Thursday.

Strong global petrochemical margins in early 2011 defy rapidly rising crude prices - study

The petrochemical industry enjoyed a strong start to 2011, defying the sharp rise in crude oil prices, according to a study from global consulting firm Nexant.

Solutia to supply heat transfer fluids for world's largest solar generation plant

Solutia, a global leader in performance materials and specialty chemicals, has been awarded a contract to supply its Therminol VP-1 synthetic heat transfer fluid for the Solana solar power plant project, which is slated to be the world's largest solar power plant.

Global materials firm Styron to change name to Trinseo in 2011

Styron, a leading US-based global materials firm formed in June 2010, has announced plans to change its company name to Trinseo.

U.S. seeks higher ethanol fuel consumption, aims for 10,000 new flex-fuel pumps

The Obama administration hopes to install 10,000 flexible fuel pumps in the U.S. over the next five years, allowing drivers to blend gasoline with up to 85 percent ethanol (E85) in cars able to handle such mixes.

John Zink, Coen affiliates agree to buy Hamworthy Combustion

Affiliates of John Zink Co. and Coen Co. have reached an agreement to acquire UK‐based Hamworthy Combustion Engineering Ltd. and U.S.‐based Hamworthy Combustion from subsidiaries of Citi Holdings.