Catalysts
Consider total value when optimizing catalytic cracking units
Low rare-earth catalysts balance activity and selectivity against cost
Use advanced catalysts to improve xylenes isomerization
This refiner wanted to increase ethylbenzene conversion while limiting aromatics losses
HP Innovations: HPInnovations
AESSEAL wins big at IMechE awards   Fig. 1. Award-winning   AESSEAL offers a wide range   of products. The UK-based mechanical seals manufacturer was nominated for seven out o..
Eastman to buy US specialty chemicals firm Solutia in $4.7 billion deal
Eastman Chemical has agreed to acquire US-based specialty chemicals and performance materials firm Solutia, a global leader in performance materials and specialty chemicals, in a deal valued at about $4.7 billion (including debt). The deal is expected to close in mid-2012.
Albemarle expands US polyolefin catalysts capacity
Albemarle says it successfully completed the latest expansion of its process development center (PDC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by installing a new production train for finished polyolefin catalysts and a number of supporting auxiliaries. The company did not disclose specific capacity figures on the expansion.
UOP lands phenol technology deal in South Korea
Honeywell’s UOP has been selected by South Korea’s Kumho P&B Chemicals to provide technology to produce key petrochemicals for the manufacture of plastics. The new units, expected to start up in 2013-2014, will produce 900,000 metric tons of cumene and 300,000 metric tons of phenol annually.
HP Innovations: HPInnovations
New diode laser caters to range of applicationsServomex Group’s SERVOTOUGH LaserCompact 2900 (Fig. 1), a tuneable diode laser (TDL), is designed to deliver true continuous in-situ monitoring acro..
HB Fuller to acquire global industrial adhesives business from Forbo
HB Fuller Co has signed an agreement to purchase the global industrial adhesives business of Forbo Group. Forbo is known for the breadth of its product line in all of HB Fuller’s core market segments, particularly packaging and durable assembly, according to Fuller officials.
Optimize capacity for large ethylene oxide reactors
Many factors must be considered in fine-tuning unit design
Eastman completes Netherlands resins expansion
Eastman Chemical said Friday that it has completed the expansion of its hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins facility in Middelburg, The Netherlands. With the expansion, the company has doubled capacity at the site since 2006.

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