Construction
Editorial Comment: As petrochemicals demand increases globally, novel processes, systems and technologies continue to evolve
Over the next 25 yr, global petrochemicals demand is forecast to increase exponentially, rising from approximately 450 MMtpy in 2025 to > 500 MMtpy in 2035 and upwards to nearly 600 MMtpy by 2050.
Business Trends: A 2024 and beyond outlook for the GCC chemical industry
The global chemical industry faced a challenging year in 2023. Various factors contributed to sluggish demand growth for chemicals globally, including the European recession, U.S. inflation and a lower-than-expected chemical demand rebound in China. These factors resulted in global chemical market growth of < 1% in 2023, with many producers experiencing lower output.
Global Project Data: Spotlight on petrochemicals
Gulf Energy Information’s Global Energy Infrastructure (GEI) database is tracking more than 1,100 active projects in the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI).
A novel process for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to produce ethylene and acetic acid
The authors’ company has developed a commercial chemical process<sup>a</sup> for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODH-E). By means of a heterogeneous catalyst, ethane and oxygen are selectively converted into ethylene and acetic acid, which, after separation and purification, are provided in polymer-grade and glacial quality, respectively.
BASF breaks ground on methyl glycol plant at Zhanjiang Verbund site in China
BASF has broken ground on a methyl glycols plant at its Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China and is designed with an annual capacity of 46,000 metric tons and aims to meet the rapidly growing demand for brake fluids in the region.
New ASEAN Energy and ACTUAL sign cooperation agreement to develop net-zero plan for the new $5-B Pengerang Energy Complex
New ASEAN Energy and ACTUAL have formed an agreement, leveraging ACTUAL’s AI-driven capital planning technology to develop a comprehensive net-zero emissions strategy for The Pengerang Energy Complex.
Technip Energies, JGC, and NPCC got limited approval for ADNOC’s Ruwais LNG Project in the UAE
Technip Energies, leader of a joint venture with JGC and NPCC, have received a Limited Notice To Proceed from ADNOC to commence early engineering, procurement and construction activities at the Ruwais low-carbon LNG project, located in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi.
Qatar Energy lays foundation stone for Ras Laffan petrochemical complex
The complex will house an ethane cracker with a capacity of 2.1 MMtpy of ethylene, making it the largest in the Middle East and one of the largest in the world, and raising Qatar’s ethylene production capacity by more than 40%.
Lummus Technology to provide proprietary heaters to Amiral petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia
Lummus Technology announced a contract award from Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. to provide eight proprietary Short Residence Time (SRT®) ethylene cracking heaters at SATORP's Amiral petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia.
thyssenkrupp Uhde awarded ammonia revamp project in Egypt
thyssenkrupp Uhde Egypt has signed a contract with Egypt-based Delta Company for Fertilizer and Chemical Industries to revamp an existing ammonia plant complex located in Dakahlia, Talkha, Egypt.

- China's Wanhua Chemical starts operation at new east China cracker 4/4
- Brookfield Infrastructure announces the acquisition of Colonial Enterprises for $9 B 4/4
- PBF restarts some units at Martinez refinery after February fire; fire-damaged units remain shut 4/4
- Japan to curb gasoline prices from June to cushion U.S. tariff blow 4/4
- Evonik presents innovative "Debonding on Demand" concept for more sustainable bonding 4/3
- Oil, gas and refined product imports exempted from Trump’s sweeping tariffs 4/3