Asia/Pacific
Dow Chemical to shut 20 plants, cut 2,400 jobs
Dow's CEO Andrew Liveris says the cutbacks demonstrate a resolve to tightly manage operations, particularly in Europe, while mitigating the impact of a "slow-growth environment". With the moves, Dow expects to save $500 million in annual operating costs by the end of 2014.
China's teapot refiners plot expansions to escape government crackdown
Government policies in the resources sector in recent years have caused the closure of hundreds of small Chinese coal mines and cement and steel factories but a similar push in oil refining is playing out differently, including through ventures with state companies.
CB&I licenses technology to China coal group for new polypropylene project
The new plant will use the Novolen advanced gas-phase polymerization technology for the production of the full scope of polypropylene homopolymers, random copolymers and impact copolymers. The 200,000 tpy polypropylene project is expected to start up operations in 2014.
Höegh LNG orders new FSRU at Hyundai shipyard
The vessel will be able to operate as a floating LNG import terminal, as well as an ordinary LNG carrier, according to the company. The floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) will be delivered in the first quarter of 2015. Specifications will be adapted to comply with project requirements.
Petronas, LanzaTech agree to develop acetic acid from waste gases
In this collaboration, the two firms say they will work together to extend the technology to include carbon dioxide (CO2) containing gases from several sources, including refinery off gases and natural gas wells, to produce acetic acid. Investment terms were not disclosed.
Reliance eyes expansions for west India refineries
The company's head of refinery operations, Tony Fountain, made the comments to reporters. He said Reliance's chairman has a target of doubling revenue for the company, with downstream a significant part.
China could soon become powerhouse for refined product exports – IEA
If all planned projects [in China] go ahead while demand growth slows as much as forecast, China could emerge, at least for a while, as a new powerhouse in product exports, helped by its companies' growing footprint abroad in international refining, storage, terminal and logistics, the IEA said.
Lanxess picks Foster Wheeler for engineering on Singapore polybutadiene project
The new facility, which LANXESS says is expected to be the largest of its kind in the world, will be designed to produce 140,000 tpy of Nd-PBR and will include process and finishing buildings, a central control room, a substation and a tank farm. Financial terms were not disclosed by the companies.
Rockwell Automation buys medium-voltage drives unit of China's Jiuzhou
With the purchase, Rockwell says it can now design, engineer and manufacture medium-voltage drives and power solutions for a broader base of Chinese and other customers throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Jiuzhou Electric had served as the contract manufacturer for Rockwell Automation for seven years.
PetroVietnam actively prepares for construction of nation's second refinery
Plans to build the 200,000 bpd Nghi Son refinery in Thanh Hoa province by investors from Kuwait, Japan and Vietnam have been delayed several times. PetroVietnam earlier said it could cost $8 billion-$10 billion.
- Kumho Mitsui Chemicals to increase capacity of MDI production facilities 12/15
- ABS, Eneos, NYK Line and Seacor Holdings launch joint study to develop a methanol marine fuel supply network in the U.S. 12/15
- ENEOS accelerates AI-driven materials discovery of immersion cooling fluids and novel catalysts Using NVIDIA ALCHEMI 12/15
- SAMSUNG E&A wins FEED contract for nearly $5-B SAF plant in the U.S. 12/15
- KBR wins green ammonia project by IGNIS in Spain 12/15
- Phillips 66 announces $2.4-B capital budget for 2026 12/15
