Petrochemicals
HB Fuller to close six adhesives sites in US, Canada
HB Fuller will close six manufacturing facilities and eliminate approximately 130 positions across its North America adhesives business segment as part of its integration of the recently-acquired industrial adhesives business of Forbo Group. The closures will occur by mid-2013, the company says.
Ford looks to expand natural gas powered autos, may clash with US chems
The head of Ford says the auto industry is focused on expanding the use of engines powered by compressed natural gas, creating a potential clash with the US chemical sector. Any major use of compressed natural gas in passenger cars could wipe out the cost advantage enjoyed by US chemical firms.
Eastman Chemical finishes Texas 2-EH expansion
Eastman Chemical completed a previously-announced capacity expansion of its 2-ethyl hexanol (2-EH) facility in Longview, Texas. An oxo derivative, 2-EH is used in end products such as plasticizers, like Eastman 168 non-phthalate plasticizer, 2 ethylhexyl acrylate, and additives for fuels and lube oils, the company noted.
SABIC picks Jacobs for engineering on Netherlands olefins cracker upgrade
Jacobs has been awarded a contract from SABIC to provide engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) services to support the upgrade of an olefins at SABIC's complex in Geleen, The Netherlands. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2013.
Cabot breaks ground on China carbon black plant
Cabot and joint venture partner Risun Chemicals broke ground Tuesday on a new carbon black manufacturing facility in Xingtai, China. The new plant will have a Phase I manufacturing capacity of 130,000 tpy of carbon black, and will enable Cabot to increase its carbon black output in China by 25%.
Huntsman to expand polyurethane catalyst output at Hungary, Spain sites
The performance products division of Huntsman will expand manufacturing capacity of specialty amines used as polyurethane catalysts at manufacturing facilities in Petfurdo, Hungary and in Barcelona, Spain. Financial details of the expansion, which will increase outut by 25%, were not disclosed.
Mitsubishi, Celanese to expand polyacetal complex in South Korea
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co. (MGC) says it is expanding polyacetal (POM) production at its joint-venture facility in South Korea, increasing its production by 35,000 tpy. The construction of the new facility will start in the first quarter of 2012 and will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Momentive to close German formaldehyde plant on lower European demand
Momentive Specialty Chemicals says it has commenced consultations with the German Works Council to cease production of formaldehyde and formaldehyde-based resins at its Leuna site in Germany. Momentive intends to cease production at the Leuna plant by June 30, 2012, it said.
Oryx starts up lube oil blending plant in West Africa
Oryx Oil & Gas has started up a new lube oil blending plant (LOBP) in Togo, West Africa, the contractor involved with the project said this week. The plant has an output capacity of 18,000 tpy and is expected to serve all segments and markets in West Africa, especially the minerals and mining industry.
Bayer to acquire Arkema polycarbonate sheet unit
Bayer MaterialScience has agreed to acquire the polycarbonate sheet business of Arkema, which includes the company’s Tuffak line of products used in such markets as aerospace, transportation and heavy equipment. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
- Chevron Phillips Chemical completes low-viscosity PAO expansion in Belgium 8/12
- AFPM: U.S. RFS proposal misses the mark on affordability, security by an ‘Iowa mile’ 8/12
- Sasol expects profit rebound on higher chemical prices and lower impairments 8/12
- Indonesia's Pertamina delivers first used cooking oil aviation fuel 8/12
- India's HMEL plans to shut refinery for 40-day maintenance, sources say 8/12
- Indian refiners using term deals as hedge against Russian supply risk 8/12
