Europe
Cereplast finalizes purchase of Italy bioplastics site
US-based bioplastics firm Cereplast has completed its purchase of a manufacturing plant in Assisi (Cannara), Italy that will serve as the hub for the company's European bioplastics production. Cereplast management said it estimates the total cost of the purchase and refurbishment of the facility will be approximately €12 million.
LUKoil begins $3bn/year investment plan for Russia downstream projects
Russia’s largest private oil company LUKoil has begun construction on a gas processing plant (GPP) included in a gas chemical facility (GCF) in Budyonnovsk, Stavropol Territory, part of the company’s plan to invest $3 billion/year in downstream operations from 2012 through 2014.
BP reaches turning point in oil output, safety - CEO
As BP announced its third-quarter financial results on Tuesday, group CEO Bob Dudley put forther more details on BP’s future direction and strategic priorities, saying the company had reached a clear turning point in oil and gas production.
Statoil extends Aker pact for Norway refinery work
Statoil has exercised its option for a three-year extension of its minor modifications frame agreement with Aker Solutions for the Mongstad refinery, located on Norway's west coast.
Hydrocarbon Processing forecasts 2012 global HPI spending to rise to $222 billion
Spending for the hydrocarbon processing industry is expected to exceed $222 billion next year, up 1.1% over 2011 spending, according to information released on Friday at Hydrocarbon Processing magazine's 38th annual HPI Forecast and Breakfast.
LANXESS, BioAmber to partner on bioplasticizers
European specialty chemicals producer LANXESS and sustainable chemicals firm BioAmber have partnered to develop succinic acid-based plasticizers that are both renewable and phthalate-free, the companies announced on Thursday.
Petroplus mulls base oil closure at France refinery
Petroplus says it intends to suspend next year’s planned turnaround of the base oil complex at the Petit Couronne refinery in France, and is considering a reconfiguration of the refinery which would include a shutdown of the base oil complex.
IEA secures energy alliances with India, Russia
Officials with India and Russia each signed deals this week with the International Energy Agency (IEA), pledging to strengthen bilateral co-operation in areas such as oil and gas security, energy efficiency and renewables, and overall dialogue.
Yara to buy environment technology firm Petro Miljö
Global fertilizer major Yara International has agreed to acquire Petro Miljö AB, a fully-owned subsidiary of Petrokraft, for an undisclosed amount. Petro Miljö is a leader in selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR), a technology that can reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, from industrial plants by up to 90%.
Global motion control market improves amid strong semiconductors, automotive - study
The worldwide market for general motion control systems increased by a double-digit percentage since 2009, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study. Suppliers who endured as much as 50% declines in business during the downturn reported a tremendous rebound in shipments, the study says. This renewed growth, first felt in Asia, progressively extended to Europe and North America as well.
- Envision sets sail with world's first commercial green ammonia cargo to South Korea 2/27
- Eni takes FID on biorefinery conversion project in Sannazzaro 2/27
- Valmet launches Valmet FlexBatch 8, the latest version of its advanced batch automation and recipe management software 2/27
- AFPM to the U.S. EPA: Please, no last-minute RVP waivers in 2026 2/27
- Druzhba pipeline carried Ukrainian and Russian oil before January attack 2/27
- Motiva buys cargo of Venezuelan heavy oil for March delivery; first purchase since 2019 2/27

