Americas
15 groups seek to bar EPA funding for E15
NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, was one of 15 organizations signing a letter to the leadership of the US House of Representatives supporting a measure by Rep. John Sullivan (R-Oklahoma) that would bar the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using federal funds to cover EPA costs involved with increasing the amount of ethanol in gasoline from the current 10% to 15%.
Lupotech T process selected for 300 KT LDPE plant in Mexico
Braskem Idesa S.A.P.I., a joint venture of Braskem S.A. and Grupo Idesa S.A. de C.V., has selected LyondellBasell’s Lupotech T process technology for a new 300 KT per year low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant.
New technology for removal of carbon dioxide from natural gas
The Japanese companies JGC Corp. and I NPEX Corp. jointly with BASF SE have successfully completed tests of a new technology for the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from natural gas under high pressure.
Total Safety acquires Pacific Environmental Consulting
Total Safety has acquired Pacific Environmental Consulting, a British Columbia-based industrial hygiene, occupational safety and environmental consulting firm servicing the greater Western Canadian market.
Ethanol companies join RFA to form advocacy council
Leaders in the world’s ethanol industry recently announced that they are coming together in conjunction with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) to form the Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC).
US refining margins improve, but some refineries remain at risk
During the fourth quarter of 2010, US refining industry performance improved relative to the prior quarter. While the US Gulf Coast crack spreads were somewhat lower in the fourth quarter, the light-heavy crude oil price differential (LLS-Maya) continued to favor refineries with heavier crude slates.
KBR and Valero startup benzene reduction projects
KBR today announced that Valero Energy has successfully started up advanced reformate splitters at three of its US refineries.
Catalyst recycling comes to Oklahoma
Veolia ES Technical Solutions and Oklahoma Materials Recycling (OMR) have signed a teaming agreement whereby Veolia will exclusively provide up-front sales and marketing services for OMR’s catalyst recycling plant currently under construction in Atoka, Oklahoma.
Association says CFATS should be made permanent
In written testimony before a US congressional panel, the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA) said existing Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) are effective and should be made permanent. The association’s statement was given to the US House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies.
Celanese expands EVA capacity
Celanese Corp. says that due to strong growth in strategic, high-value segments, the company will expand capacity at its Edmonton, Canada, manufacturing facility (specifically for ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymers).
- ABB's Fidas24 gas analyzer awarded CSA certification for hazardous applications in the U.S. and Canada 3/3
- Clariant Zeolites partners with Vertimass to scale-up innovative CADO biofuels technology 3/3
- Seeq Intelligence: Bridging industrial AI and human expertise for smarter operational decisions 3/3
- SES Energy acquires CIU and corrosion monitoring divisions from ICR 3/3
- S3 sets a new benchmark for European onshore and transition seismic in landmark CCS survey 3/3
- How airlines have hedged against fuel price increases 3/3
