Europe
Global petrochemical firms shape up in oversupply crisis
Petrochemical producers in Europe and Asia are in survival mode as years of capacity build-up in top market China and high energy costs in Europe have depressed margins for three consecutive years, forcing firms to consolidate.
BASF switches their portfolio to bio-based ethyl acrylate
BASF announced the biotransformation of their (Meth)acrylate portfolio, switching the production to bio-based ethyl acrylate starting Q4 2024.
U.S. EPA says it is auditing biofuel producers' used cooking oil supply
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has launched investigations into the supply chains of at least two renewable fuel producers amid industry concerns that some may be using fraudulent feedstocks for biodiesel to secure lucrative government subsidies.
Aggreko invests in European cooling fleet to support petrochemical industry amid summer heat
Energy solutions specialist Aggreko has significantly invested in its European fleet of cooling solutions to bring reliable, clean and efficient cooling to the market.
U.S. imports of renewable diesel increased in the early months of 2024
In the first five months of 2024, U.S. imports of renewable diesel averaged 30,000 bpd, approaching the monthly record set in May 2023.
Head of Hungary's MOL sees no reason to wean off Russian oil
The head of Hungarian oil and gas giant MOL has said he sees no advantage in Hungary weaning itself off Russian oil supplies, and dismissed warnings of fuel shortages in the country as “politics.”
NextChem to provide NX CPO technology to SAF pilot plant in Italy
NextChem will provide the license and the proprietary equipment related to its NX CPOTM technology to Saras’ SAF pilot facility in Sarroch (Sardinia).
Gunvor joins VARO to jointly develop large-scale SAF manufacturing facility
Gunvor Group will join VARO Energy in building a large-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) manufacturing facility at the Gunvor Energy Rotterdam site through a proposed joint venture.
Update: Slovakia, Hungary rebuff EU call to replace lost Russian oil via Croatia
Slovakia and Hungary on Friday rebuffed a European Commission (EU) suggestion that they could replace lost Russian oil supplies via an alternative route through Croatia, saying it was too costly.
Illimity Bank provides financing for ISAB refinery upgrade in Italy
Illimity Bank said it had structured a financing deal worth more than 400 MM euros for Italian refinery ISAB, which plans to reduce the environmental impact of its activities under a 1.4-B euro investment plan.

- Dow to close three European chemical plants, cut 800 jobs 7/10
- Indian Oil to upgrade Panipat refinery's diesel unit for green jet fuel production 7/10
- Nayara to use Univation Technologies' PE process for world-scale plant in India 7/10
- Gunvor plans to halt oil terminal activities at Europoort refinery 7/10
- EU to set up Critical Chemical Alliance to secure supply chains 7/10
- Greenergy proposes to close Immingham biodiesel plant in the UK 7/10