Europe

Taiwan says private refiners willing to stop buying Russian naphtha

While Taiwan joined the United States and major Western allies in putting broad sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2022, it did not explicitly ban imports of energy.

Update: U.S. postpones sanctions on Serbia's Russian-owned NIS oil company for one week

The reported extension comes as the U.S. extended a license for Croatian oil pipeline operator JANAF to transport crude to Serbia for another week, as it seeks to complete the delivery of contracted volumes.

European Energy to introduce next generation of green methanol technology

The bio-methanol will be produced through an innovative technology known as electrified steam methane reforming (e-SMR), where renewable electricity is used to process biogas or biomethane into synthesis gas, which is then converted into green methanol using European Energy’s proprietary methanol technology.

Ineos cuts workforce at UK acetyls plant, cites energy costs and anti-competitive trade practices

Huntsman expands distribution network into Central/Eastern Europe with WOBATEK partnership

Global chemical company Huntsman, one of the leading providers of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomers, has expanded its distribution relationship with WOBATEK Kunststoffvertriebs GmbH, a specialist provider of engineering plastics for industrial applications in Central and Eastern Europe.

Update: Shell to take $600-MM hit from scrapped Rotterdam biofuels project

Shell had approved development of the 820,000-metric tpy biofuels plant in 2021, but paused construction last year and cancelled the project entirely in early September because it would not have been competitive.

Belarus ramps up fuel exports to gasoline-thirsty Russia

Several Russian regions have introduced rationing and have temporarily frozen fuel prices in recent weeks amid a scarcity of popular types of gasoline brought on by the drone strikes, which targeted refineries among other energy installations. Moscow has also restricted gasoline and diesel exports.

Arcadia eFuels, Hitachi Energy to deliver electrical infrastructure for Vordingborg eSAF facility

As one of the world’s first large scale sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) facilities, the plant will operate entirely on renewable electricity in the production of eSAF, reducing emissions in the aviation industry.

INEOS to close two Rheinberg plants as Europe’s chemical industry hits breaking point

INEOS has confirmed the intention to shut two production units in Rheinberg, Germany. The closures are the direct result of crippling energy and carbon costs, and a lack of tariff protection.

Russia's Kirishi refinery halts largest unit after drone attack

The stoppage could lead to a small decline in oil product output, amid a fuel crisis in Russia, which is grappling with a shortage of some popular types of gasoline amid persistent attacks by Ukrainian drones on its energy infrastructure.