Polymers
Fire halts major Russian polymers operation
Lukoil’s Stavrolen petrochemical plant experienced an explosion and fire in the ethylene plant.
Eastman Chemical to expand carboxylic acid plants in Texas, Tennessee
The additional capacity is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014 and will add approximately 50 million pounds of carboxylic acids to support increasing internal and external demand.
Improve the isomerization of alkanes by catalytic distillation
The isomerization of light gasoline fractions is crucial to producing high-octane fuels and to reducing the benzene content in gasoline. One of the most promising options for isomerization is catalytic distillation.
HP Editorial Comment: What’s next for the energy industry?
Year-end always leads to insightful predictions for the upcoming 12 months and possibly some longer-term insights. In writing this editorial at the end of December, HP reviewed several 2014 outlooks t..
BASF, Sinopec begin building China isononanol site
BASF and Sinopec broke ground today on the construction of its world-scale isononanol plant in Maoming Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Maoming, China. At start-up in 2015, the plant, which is the first of its kind in China, will serve the increasing market demand for next-generation plasticizers
Huntsman to expand global polyetheramines unit
Expansion is currently underway in the Americas, Europe and Asia. The company expects projects at its Conroe, Texas, Llanelli, Wales (UK) and Singapore sites to be fully operational by May 2014.
Sasol opens new South Africa polyethylene plant
Located at the Sasol plant in Sasolburg, the unit aims to address the growing demand for PE material. The plant will also ensure better utilization of Sasol's existing downstream polyethylene facilities.
HP News
US, Norway seek to improve CO2 capture The US and Norway have announced their commitment to support the global carbon capture and storage (CCS) test center network. In a joint release, the two co..
Braskem buys Solvay vinyls unit in South America
Braskem says the acquisition confirms its commitment to develop the petrochemical and plastics industries in Brazil and South America by strengthening the vinyls chain and by its decision to continue investing to support the growth of its clients. It also establishes an industrial base in Argentina.
US PVC prices to rise in 2014 on higher ethylene costs, export demand
Stronger prices for the ethylene used to make PVC and strong PVC export markets are supporting the upward momentum in PVC pricing, according to a weekly newsletter.
- China Shipbuilding’s and Lemissoler’s first methanol-fueled Ultramax bulk carrier receives ABS approval 12/8
- RTX's Pratt & Whitney Canada and Leonardo achieve first 100% SAF flight with AW139 helicopter 12/8
- Maersk to deploy first large methanol-enabled vessel on Asia - Europe trade lane 12/8
- Shell sees $6 B in oil and gas investments in Nigeria 12/8
- Mexico's Pemex eyeing later refinery start-up date, months after initial announcement 12/8
- Indonesia's Pertamina starts carbon injection tests in Sukowati oil and gas field 12/8
