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Polymers

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

St. Petersburg State Institute: Lisitsyn, N. V.  |  Chuparev, E. V.  |  Zernov, P. A.

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?

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Romanow, Stephany

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

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Thinnes, Billy

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.

WR Grace buys Dow polypropylene catalysts unit

The acquisition includes the UNIPOL polypropylene process technology and makes Grace the second largest polypropylene licensor in the world based on the company's installed capacity.